Jason Gillespie has called Aaqib Javed “a clown” in light of accusations of undermining him and Gary Kirsten for the head coaching role. Following a string of poor performances, including a winless Champions Trophy, Aaqib blamed team instability on frequent coaching and selection changes. Gillespie’s comments underscore the underlying discontent regarding management decisions in Pakistan cricket.
Jason Gillespie, the former head coach of the Pakistan Test team, has publicly criticized his successor, Aaqib Javed, labeling him as “a clown” and accusing him of sabotaging both his and Gary Kirsten’s coaching roles. Gillespie’s remarks were made in the context of Aaqib’s social media commentary regarding Pakistan’s recent struggles in international cricket, which he attributed to instability among selectors and coaches.
Gillespie and Kirsten joined the Pakistan coaching staff in April 2024; however, both resigned from their positions before the year’s end, leading to Aaqib’s appointment as head coach. The Pakistan team had a disappointing showing at the Champions Trophy, failing to secure a victory, which has raised concerns about the management and direction of the team’s coaching structure.
In a statement, Aaqib reflected on the high turnover within the coaching staff and selection panel, referencing the drastic changes: “We changed 16 coaches in the last two-and-a-half years and 26 selectors. If you do this to any team in the world, their performance would be the same.” Gillespie responded on social media, stating, “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.”
Kirsten, previously a South African international player, held the white-ball coaching position for only six months before stepping down in October. Gillespie temporarily filled this role during a white-ball tour to Australia, achieving a one-day series victory but losing the T20 series. He subsequently resigned as Test coach in December, shortly after being removed from the national selection panel during the Test series against England.
In summary, Jason Gillespie’s pointed criticisms of Aaqib Javed highlight tensions within the Pakistan cricket coaching hierarchy. Aaqib’s remarks on the instability among coaching staff resonate with the team’s dismal performance recently. With significant turnover in coaching and selection roles, the future direction of Pakistan cricket appears uncertain without a cohesive strategic plan.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
