Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has criticised selector Aaqib Javed over the team’s recent upheaval, saying Pakistan’s players appear to be “playing with fear” after a series of major changes during the England tour.
Pakistan made sweeping changes this week after two heavy Test defeats. The board replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling coach Umar Gul while sending seven players back home before the third Test.
Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024 and guided the side to a 2-1 Test series victory over England, said he was saddened by the situation.
“I feel for the players, this is these guys’ livelihoods,” Gillespie told The Australian.
“From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear.”
Gillespie Questions Salman Ali Agha Decision
Gillespie pointed to Salman Ali Agha’s sudden removal from the squad as an example of what he described as inconsistent decision-making.
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Salman captained Pakistan in the opening Test against England before losing his place and returning home ahead of the third match.
“Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test,” Gillespie said.
“How does that work?”
Former Coach Blames Aaqib Javed
Gillespie placed responsibility for Pakistan’s selection problems on Aaqib Javed, who serves as chairman of selectors.
“It’s pretty clear they don’t have a selection strategy at all, particularly under Aaqib Javed,” he said.
“They change their mind like they change their pants — daily.”
Gillespie also rejected criticism from Javed, who he said had recently blamed him and former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for Pakistan’s current problems.
“Aaqib has been chairman of selectors for the past two years. We haven’t even been there,” Gillespie said.
“Somehow he claims it is our fault. Make sense out of that. I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror.”
Players Were Allegedly Not Informed Directly
Gillespie also questioned communication between the selectors and Pakistan’s players.
“There is definitely no communication between Aaqib Javed, who is meant to be chairman of selectors, and the players,” he said.
According to Gillespie, some players learned about their removal from the squad through relatives, friends and media reports rather than directly from team officials.
“The players who were sacked heard it through family and friends and the media they had been sacked,” he said.
“How disrespectful is that?”
Pakistan Face Final Test at Edgbaston
Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat against England at Headingley before losing the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.
The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9.
Several former Pakistan players and coaches have also questioned the sweeping changes. Former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik expressed concerns, while ex-coach Mickey Arthur described the situation as “an absolutely ridiculous situation”.
New Zealander Mike Hesson, who already oversees Pakistan’s white-ball side, and Australian Ashley Noffke have taken charge for the remainder of the tour.
