Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Jason Gillespie opens up on resignation: Felt ‘unwanted’ as Pakistan’s test coach

I was not consulted on major decisions, says former Australian pacer

Jason Gillespie opens up on resignation: Felt ‘unwanted’ as Pakistan’s test coach

Jason Gillespie

JASON GILLESPIE said on Monday (16) he felt no longer wanted as Pakistan’s Test coach and was left out of major decisions, having quit the post last week.

The 49-year-old Australian former fast bowler was appointed in April for two years, but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took their toll.


Gillespie said he was not informed about the decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian.

“Nielsen was told his services were no longer required and I had zero communication from anyone. That was the moment I thought, ‘well, I’m not really sure they actually want me to do this job,’” Gillespie told Australian broadcaster ABC in Brisbane.

He added: “For a decision to be made (about Nielsen) and the head coach doesn’t get a text message, phone call or email about a decision that’s a pretty big decision – it just left me thinking, well, I’m really not sure if the PCB wants me.

“All the feedback I and the PCB had got was just how effective Tim had been in his role and the players were getting a lot out of him. They were calling him grandpa. There was some good banter between the boys.

“We out-fielded England in a Test series. Not many Pakistan teams can claim to outfield an opposition. Pakistan aren’t renowned for being strong fielding sides over the years. We put a strong emphasis on that and Tim really drove and led that. We were taking all our chances.

“With the news that the board decided to not allow Tim to travel to South Africa, I’ve heard that was on the recommendation of someone. In essence, it made my job untenable.”

The PCB accepted Gillespie’s resignation, the second in two months after former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten quit as white-ball coach over differences with selectors.

Gillespie had the worst possible start to his coaching stint when Pakistan were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh.

That was followed by an innings defeat against England in the first Test in Multan.

The defeat prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes, removing Gillespie from the selection panel and dropping star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Pakistan won the remaining two Tests to seal the series 2-1. Gillespie refused to join the team for the two-Test series in South Africa starting in Centurion from next Thursday (26). He said he was upset over the reduction of his role.

“In essence, I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game,” he told ABC. “You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, including selectors, and knowing what the team is as head coach at least a day before the game, so you can help plan and prepare the players.”

The exits of Gillespie and Kirsten means Pakistan have had seven different coaches across formats in the last three years.

More For You

Salman-Agha

Agha scored 53 not out from 36 balls, hitting three sixes and three boundaries, as Pakistan posted 182-7 in their 20 overs. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Agha, Rauf shine as Pakistan beat Afghanistan in T20 tri-series opener

SALMAN AGHA’s unbeaten half century and Haris Rauf’s four wickets guided Pakistan to a 39-run win over Afghanistan in the opening T20 match of the tri-series in Sharjah on Friday.

Agha scored 53 not out from 36 balls, hitting three sixes and three boundaries, as Pakistan posted 182-7 in their 20 overs.

Keep ReadingShow less
India and England unveil Women’s World Cup squads with shock calls

Harmanpreet Kaur

India and England unveil Women’s World Cup squads with shock calls

INDIA and England have named their squads for the upcoming Women’s World Cup, with several surprise selections and omissions, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

India’s squad announcement brought disappointment for explosive opener Shafali Verma, who was left out after a poor run of form. The 21-year-old, who last played a oneday international in October 2024, has managed just one half-century in six innings for India A.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Gukesh

Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points.

Getty Images

Chess World Cup 2025 to be held in Goa

GOA will host the Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27. The FIDE World Cup 2025 carries a prize fund of USD 2 million and offers three qualifying spots for next year’s Candidates tournament.

The 206-player field includes world champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and R Praggnanandhaa. However, Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points.

Keep ReadingShow less
CWG-2010-Getty

India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Modi cabinet clears Ahmedabad bid for Commonwealth Games 2030

INDIA on Wednesday said Ahmedabad would be an "ideal" venue for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, as the country seeks to strengthen its case to host the 2036 Olympics.

Ahmedabad, the main city in prime minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, has a 130,000-capacity stadium, the largest cricket arena in the world, named after him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian football

If suspended, India’s national teams and clubs would not be allowed to compete in international competitions. (Photo: Getty Images)

India risks FIFA ban again as AIFF constitution deadline looms

INDIA could face a ban from world football for the second time in three years after FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to adopt a new constitution by October 30.

FIFA and the AFC sent a joint letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, expressing concern over the delay in finalising and adopting the constitution.

Keep ReadingShow less