Pakistan Test team head coach Jason Gillespie resigns from his position

Photo: Instagram/@cricbuzzofficial

Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Pakistan's Test cricket team, resigned from his position on Thursday. He decided to step down after refusing to join the team on their tour of South Africa. The reason for his resignation was due to disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Gillespie had been appointed as the head coach in April under a two-year contract, with former South African opener Gary Kirsten taking the role of white-ball coach at the same time.

However, in October, Gary Kirsten also resigned from his position due to similar issues with the PCB.

Following Gillespie's resignation, the PCB confirmed the news and made an announcement. According to the PCB's statement, Aaqib Javed, a former Pakistan paceman, has been appointed as the interim red-ball head coach. Aaqib Javed had already been filling in as the interim white-ball coach after Kirsten’s departure. He will now take charge of the Pakistan Test team for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa, which begins on December 26 in Centurion. The second Test will take place in Cape Town from January 3 to 7.

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The Pakistan white-ball team is currently in South Africa, where they are playing a three-match T20 series along with three one-day internationals.

Gillespie's time as the head coach was troubled, especially after Pakistan's disappointing performance in September when they were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh. The team also lost the first Test against England by an inning. Despite the losses, Pakistan managed to win the next two Tests against England, winning the series 2-1, mainly thanks to sharply spinning pitches.

Gillespie had expressed his frustrations over his role. In an interview with Sky Sports during the second England Test, he admitted that there were frustrations from time to time. "It wasn’t what I signed up for," he said, being honest about the challenges he faced.

After the England series, Gillespie continued to serve as the white-ball coach during Pakistan's tour of Australia. However, he was not given the same role in the series against Zimbabwe. One of the issues that reportedly upset Gillespie was the PCB’s decision not to renew the contract of his assistant coach, Tim Nielsen.

Pakistan has had a troubled history with cricket coaches in recent years. In the past four years, they have had six different coaches for all formats of the game.

In the wake of Gillespie’s resignation, Aaqib Javed will now lead the Pakistan Test team, hoping to guide them to success in the upcoming series in South Africa.