Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has hit out at Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, accusing him of working behind the scenes to secure the coaching role across all formats. Gillespie, who resigned as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach three months ago, claimed that Aaqib deliberately undermined him and former white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten.
Aaqib was serving as Pakistan’s chief selector when Gillespie and Kirsten were overseeing the team. However, just six months into his contract, Kirsten stepped down from his role in October last year.
Following Kirsten’s exit, Gillespie was handed the responsibility of managing the white-ball squad as well. But in a surprising turn of events, he, too, decided to quit after two months, paving the way for Aaqib to take over on an interim basis.
Pakistan’s woeful campaign in defending the ICC Champions Trophy saw them exit in the group stages. Aaqib attributed the poor performance of the team to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) frequent shuffle in the management.
Gillespie, however, retaliated by accusing the Pakistan pacer of operating a hidden campaign for the coaching job.
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“This is hilarious. Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown,” Gillespie wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s performance in the tournament was nothing short of a disaster. Hosting a major ICC event after nearly three decades, they suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand. With their chances of qualification hanging by a thread, they needed a crucial victory against India. However, their sub-par execution in Dubai led to yet another disappointing loss.
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The defending champions’ last hope rested on Bangladesh defeating New Zealand, but the Blackcaps crushed those hopes with a five-wicket win. Pakistan’s final game, a dead rubber against Bangladesh, was eventually washed out due to persistent rain, sealing their early exit.
Following the humiliating campaign, the PCB has decided to revamp its white-ball squad, shifting focus toward preparations for future ICC events.
