Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie resigned from his position because his assistant coach Tim Nielsen’s contract was not renewed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for Pakistan’s upcoming Test tour of South Africa.
Nielsen was officially designated as the “high-performance red-ball coach”, and was appointed in August 2024, he was waiting for his contract extension by PCB after Pakistan toured Australia.
According to ESPNCRICINFO, Nielsen said he was “making good progress” with the team and was dedicated to the Test series against South Africa and West Indies, but PCB had told him his services were no longer required. It is understood that PCB did not tell Gillespie that he would not have his assistant coach by his side in South Africa, this news made him highly disappointed.
Gillespie joined PCB in April along with white-ball coach Gary Kirsten on a two-year contract before T20 World Cup 2024. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was satisfied with Gillespie’s “stellar track record” upon his joining.
But unfortunately, conflict had arisen between the PCB and Gillespie, when he was removed from the chief selectors.
Gillespie was removed from the Test match selection panel in October, and he was told that he is now merely a “match day strategist”. During Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, he also coached the team temporarily after Gary Kirsten stepped down.
Gary Kirsten also left PCB because of issues with PCB on matters of authority and power.
But when Aaqib Javed was appointed as a senior selector and PCB granted him full authority including in team selection, the foreign coaches felt disappointed with the board.
Gillespie’s contract had to expire in 2026, but due to all these conflicts, he made his decision to leave his post of head coach. Because he was not even informed about the removal of Tim Nielsen as his assistant coach.
Gillespie had to arrive in South Africa on Friday to overview the pre-Test series training camp and submitted his resignation on Thursday.
It is also noticed that after Gary Kirsten’s resignation, PCB wanted Gillespie to fulfill his duty on a full-time basis.
“I’ve only taken over white-ball format coaching on an interim basis. I am not keen on coaching permanently in the white ball format at the moment,” Gillespie talked to Australian media in Melbourne.
“I did not apply for the full-time white-ball coaching.”
“I love coaching, but I don’t believe I can spend 11 months away from home. I also don’t think I could mentally handle it,” he said.
PCB appointed Aaqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team on Thursday. He will now take his duty for the two test series against South Africa during the ongoing all-format cricket match series.
The first Test will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 to 30 December, and the second Test set for Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January.
The Pakistan men’s team is currently playing a three-match T20I series in South Africa, followed by a three-match ODI series.
