Jason Gillespie labeled Aaqib Javed ‘a clown’ after accusing him of undermining him and former coach Gary Kirsten. Javed’s comments on Pakistan’s poor performance reflect a broader issue of instability in the coaching staff, exacerbated by frequent changes in coaches and selectors. Gillespie and Kirsten both resigned prior to Javed’s appointment.
Former Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie has criticized Aaqib Javed, his successor, by labeling him a “clown.” Gillespie contends that Javed undermined both him and ex-white-ball coach Gary Kirsten to position himself for their roles. Both Gillespie and Kirsten were appointed in April 2024, but they resigned within the year, paving the way for Javed to take over as head coach.
Gillespie’s remarks followed Aaqib’s social media post where he blamed Pakistan’s recent poor performance on instability in coaching and selection. Under this leadership, Pakistan failed to win any matches during the Champions Trophy, exiting in the group stages. Aaqib emphasized, “We changed 16 coaches in the last two-and-a-half years and 26 selectors. If you do this to any team in the world, their performance would be the same.”
In response to Aaqib’s comments, Gillespie remarked, “This is hilarious. Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes, campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown.” His and Kirsten’s brief tenures demonstrate a significant lack of continuity in the coaching staff.
Kirsten left after only six months as head coach for white-ball formats, resigning in October. Following his departure, Gillespie stepped in on an interim basis during a tour of Australia, achieving a win in the one-day series but falling short in the T20 series before Aaqib’s permanent appointment. Gillespie had signed a two-year contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board but resigned as Test head coach in December after being removed from the selection panel during the series against England.
In conclusion, the ongoing discord among Pakistan’s coaching staff highlights the challenges faced within the team management. Gillespie’s allegations against Aaqib Javed point to an underlying issue of instability in leadership, which has coincided with the team’s disappointing performance. These events signal a need for continuity and effective communication within the coaching framework to enhance future results.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
