Key Takeaways
- Jason Gillespie, former Pakistan coach, criticizes the team’s latest upheaval.
- Pakistan sent home seven players and parted ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- Gillespie believes constant changes affect the team’s consistency and performance.
Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has criticized the team’s latest upheaval, which saw the Pakistan Cricket Board overhaul the squad and coaching staff midway through the test series against England.
In a statement to The Australian newspaper, Gillespie expressed concern over the instability off the field, stating, “I feel for the players — this is these guys’ livelihoods.”
The overhaul included sending home seven players, including former captain Salman Ali Agha, and parting ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after heavy defeats in the opening two tests.
Pakistan lost the first test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs, going 2-0 down in the three-match series, failing to score more than 200 in all four innings.
Gillespie, who coached Pakistan from April to December 2024, said, “From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear. Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first test against England, to being out of the team for the second test and on the plane home before the third test. How does that work?”
He further added, “If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field. That goes to board level, selection and coaching level.”
Pakistan have had six test coaches in the past three years, with Gillespie among them. The team has won only one of their last eight test series since August 2024, including a 2-1 victory over England under Gillespie.
Gillespie was critical of how some players learned of their omissions, saying, “The players who were sacked heard it through family and friends and the media. How disrespectful is that?”
Despite his criticism, Gillespie remained a strong admirer of Pakistan’s players, stating, “The talent there is as good as anywhere in the world. These players just need support off the field.”
Pakistan face England in the third and final test from September 9 to 13.
I feel for the players — this is these guys’ livelihoods.
Jason Gillespie, Former Pakistan coach
From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear. Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first test against England, to being out of the team for the second test and on the plane home before the third test. How does that work?
Jason Gillespie, Former Pakistan coach
If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field. That goes to board level, selection and coaching level.
Jason Gillespie, Former Pakistan coach
