Australia's Gillespie Criticizes Pakistan Selectors After Mid-Series Overhaul

Jason Gillespie says Pakistan's latest mid-series upheaval shows how little stability exists away from the field. The former Pakistan coach criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board after it overhauled the squad and coaching staff during the Test series against England.

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I feel for the players, this is these guys' livelihoods.

Pakistan sent seven players home, including former captain Salman Ali Agha, and parted ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after heavy defeats in the opening two Tests. Pakistan lost the first by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs, going 2-0 down in the three-match series. The team failed to score more than 200 in any of its four innings.

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan from April to December 2024, said repeated changes had prevented the team from building consistency. “I feel for the players, this is these guys' livelihoods,” he told The Australian. He questioned how Salman Ali Agha could captain the side in the first Test, then be removed from the team and sent home before the third.

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If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field.

“If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field,” Gillespie said, pointing to the board, selection and coaching structures. Pakistan has had six Test coaches in three years. It has won one of its last eight Test series since August 2024, although that run includes a 2-1 victory over England under Gillespie.

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I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror.

Gillespie also rejected criticism from Aaqib Javed, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of high performance and a former chairman of selectors, who blamed him and former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for the team's problems. “I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror,” Gillespie said. He further criticized the way some omitted players learned of their exclusion, saying they heard through family, friends and the media. Despite his criticism, Gillespie said Pakistan's players had world-class talent and needed support off the field.

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The talent there is as good as anywhere in the world.