New Delhi: Aaqib Javed is set to replace Jason Gillespie as Pakistan’s head coach across formats. Gillespie is the head coach of Pakistan’s Test team and currently the interim coach of the white-ball team for the Australia tour. As per the ESPNcricinfo report, he is set to be relieved of all duties with Aaqib taking over from him.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the announcement of Aaqib’s appointment could come on Monday when Pakistan will face Australia in the third T20I match. Pakistan won the ODI series by 2-1 but the Australian team is currently leading the T20I series by 2-0. As things stand, the Australia tour will be Gillespie’s final assignment as head coach.
Aaqib was not the PCB’s first choice for the head coach role as the board wanted Gillespie to take over as all-format coach until the end of the Champions Trophy 2025. He was asked to take over the white-ball responsibility without a change in his current contract. Gillespie didn’t accept the offer which led the PCB to search for an all-format coach.
PCB initially considered appointing Azhar Mahmood or Saqlain Mushtaq as head coach but neither of them got enough support from PCB’s advisory circle, which led the board to offer the position to Aaqib. He will take on the role until the end of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Gillespie began his stint as a red-ball coach with a 2-0 home defeat against Bangladesh in Tests but turned things around by defeating England in the three-match Test series. After Kirsten’s resignation, he was appointed as the interim white-ball coach for the Australia tour which saw Pakistan winning their first series in the country in 22 years.
Tough challenge awaits Aaqib Javed
Aaqib Javed served as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach earlier this year but now has a different challenge ahead of him. Pakistan cricket team has a packed schedule until the end of the Champions Trophy. They will play six white-ball matches against Zimbabwe and then will face South Africa in a full tour. Shan Masood and Co. will play two Tests against West Indies in January. They will play a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy at home, which is set to begin on February 19
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to name selector Aaqib Javed as Pakistan’s head coach. He is set to take over the role from Jason Gillespie. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
