LAHORE: Former Pakistani Aqib Javed has been appointed interim coach of the men’s national team following the resignation of Jason Gillespie, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday.
Aqib’s appointment came after Gillespie stepped down due to his differences with the cricket board.
Earlier today, it was reported that the former Australian cricketer had refused to travel to South Africa where he was supposed to oversee an exclusive training ground for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.
Sources close to the development shared that Gillespie, who was due to arrive in South Africa yesterday, decided otherwise after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to renew the contract of red-ball assistant coach Tim Nielsen.
However, the former Australian pacer cited personal reasons to the board over his refusal to travel to South Africa.
Gillespie’s discomfort with the PCB stems from recent administrative changes. In October, he was removed from the Test team jury, with his role reduced to “match day strategist”.
Since the conclusion of Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, where he briefly served as interim coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation, communication between the board and the former Australian cricketer has been minimal.
Adding to Gillespie’s frustration is his belief in Nielsen’s strong relationship with the players, who were denied a contract extension, in line with the PCB’s broader trend of prioritizing local coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Aqib Javed’s first assignment as coach of the red team will be Pakistan’s two-match Test series against South Africa.
The first Test is scheduled at SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26th to 30th. The second Test will be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from January 3-7.
The Pakistan men’s team is currently in South Africa playing a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter at Geo News.
