Jason Gillespie steps down as Pakistan head coach after just 7 months; interim replacement named for SA vs PAK 2024 Tests
Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie has stepped down from his role as Pakistan head coach after seven months. Former Pakistan pacer and erstwhile selector in charge Aqib Javed will take over the role of coaching the red ball side on an interim basis.
Earlier today, reports regarding Gillespie's resignation from the role had been doing the rounds on the internet. It was being told that Gillespie had stepped down from the role after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to renew the assistant coach, Tim Nielsen. Apparently, Gillespie had also refused to travel to South Africa with the squad.
On Thursday, December 12, PCB announced that Gillespie had relinquished his role as the red ball coach and had appointed Aqib Javed on an interim basis. The press release read:
"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Aqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team following the resignation of red-ball head-coach Jason Gillespie."
"Aqib’s first assignment as red-ball head-coach will be the two-match Test series against South Africa during the ongoing all-format tour. The first Test is scheduled at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 to 30 December. The second Test will be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January."
How did Jason Gillespie's tenure turn out for Pakistan?
Jason Gillespie was appointed as Pakistan's Test coach in April 2024 for two years. His first consignment at home was against Bangladesh, where Pakistan slumped to a 2-0 series defeat.
Gillespie would have another loss under his belt as the coach after England thumped Pakistan in the first Test before the hosts came from behind and registered a 2-1 Test series win, a first at home for the hosts since 2021.
The 49-year-old also served as the white ball coach following Gary Kirsten's resignation and led Pakistan to a historic ODI series win in Australia after 22 years. It will be interesting to see which team goes for his services in the backroom staff.