Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has slammed his successor, Aaqib Javed, calling him a “clown” and accusing him of working behind the scenes to undermine both him and ex-white-ball coach Gary Kirsten. Gillespie’s remarks came in response to a social media post featuring comments from Javed, made just days after Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy without a single win.
Javed, who was appointed as Pakistan’s interim white-ball coach before the Champions Trophy, addressed the team’s struggles in a press conference on Tuesday. He highlighted Pakistan’s instability, pointing out that the team had gone through 16 coaches and 26 selectors in just two years. “Any team would struggle under such circumstances,” he stated.
Gillespie, however, fired back on social media, saying, “This is hilarious. Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary [Kirsten] and me behind the scenes, campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown.”
Gary Kirsten had resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball coach in October, just six months after taking the role, citing dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) handling of the coaching structure. Gillespie, who had initially signed a two-year contract as the red-ball coach in April 2023, later quit in December amid reports of tensions with the PCB. He was then replaced by Javed, who has now been given an extended assignment to lead Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand, which begins on March 16 and includes five T20s and three ODIs.
The controversy surrounding Pakistan’s coaching changes continues to raise concerns about the team’s leadership and stability, with many questioning the PCB’s handling of appointments and its long-term strategy for success on the international stage.
