New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has quashed the reports that Jason Gillespie is set to be removed as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team and get replaced by former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed. PCB has confirmed Gillespie will continue as the head coach of the Pakistan team in their two-match Test series against South Africa which is set to be played in December-January.
PCB had to issue a clarification after a report in ESPN Cricinfo claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to appoint Javed as the head coach of the men’s team in all three formats after Gillespie turned down the offer to become the permanent all-format coach due to the board not revising his current contract.
Gillespie is the current Test coach of Pakistan and took over as the interim head coach of the team in white-ball cricket after the departure of Gary Kirsten earlier this year. Meanwhile, former pacer Javed was recently appointed as the convenor of the Pakistan selection committee and was also credited for the hosts’ turnaround in their 2-1 win in the recently concluded Test series at home.
Dismissing the reports of Gillespie’s sacking, PCB said in a statement – “PCB strongly refutes the story. As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa.”
PCB strongly refutes the story. As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa. https://t.co/J5MYKuq368
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 17, 2024
ESPN Cricinfo claimed that the 3rd and final T20I of the ongoing three-match series against Australia could be Gillespie’s final match in charge of the Pakistan team. However, PCB have denied the claim by stating that the former Australian pacer will continue to be in charge of the team till the Test series against South Africa.
PCB fails to confirm Jason Gillespie’s future till Champions Trophy
While the PCB refuted the reports of Gillespie getting sacked, it also failed to confirm the current Pakistan head coach’s future till the Champions Trophy 2025. As per ESPN Cricinfo, PCB had offered Gillespie to become Pakistan’s all-format coach till the premier tournament which is set to be played in February next year.
However, the former Australian pacer turned down the offer as PCB refused to increase his salary for the additional role. As per the website, Gillespie, who was originally only the Test coach, is currently serving as the interim white-ball coach of Pakistan under the same contract. It remains to be seen if Gillespie will continue as Pakistan’s white-ball coach till the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refuted the reports of former pacer Aaqib Javed replacing Jason Gillespie as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team across all formats. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
