Jason Gillespie’s exit from Pakistan coaching role: What led to his decision?
New Delhi: Jason Gillespie resigned from his position as Pakistan Test team coach, with former pacer Aaqib Javed taking over for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa, the PCB announced on Thursday. Pakistan will face the Proteas in two Test matches starting December 26 and are already in South Africa for the white-ball leg, which consists of 3 T20s and 3 ODIs. Aaqib is currently serving as the interim coach for Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
Gillespie, whose contract was set to run until 2026, resigned after the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to review the contract of Tim Nielsen. Nielsen had been appointed as the team’s high-performance coach on Gillespie’s recommendation.
Gillespie was also frustrated by the PCB’s decision to strip him of team selection responsibilities and exclude him from the pitch preparation process.
They removed any say he had in selection matters.
They removed any authority he had regarding picking players for the Test squad.
They removed any say he had in picking the final XI in the Test team.
They sacked his assistant Head Coach and didn’t tell him.
Jason Gillespie…
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 12, 2024
Embarrassing moment for Pakistan cricket. International coaches won’t take their Pakistan assignment easily now.
Gary and now Gillespie, both former great cricketers and accomplished coaches. Big loss for Pakistan cricket.
Jason Gillespie should have been persuaded to coach… pic.twitter.com/m0aUeJoEd2— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) December 12, 2024
It is worth noting that Gary Kirsten, who joined as the white-ball side’s coach alongside Gillespie, had resigned before Pakistan departed for their series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Kirsten had resigned, citing differences with the PCB over matters of authority. Both Gillespie and Kirsten were appointed on two-year contracts before the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the PCB promising a new era for the Pakistan team. However, tensions arose once Aaqib was appointed as senior selector and granted full powers, including team selection, leading to a fallout between the foreign coaches and the board.