Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, who left his role as Pakistan’s Test head coach last December, slammed the current interim head coach Aaqib Javed for campaigning for the role across formats, labelling him a “clown” on a social media post.
Gillespie’s reaction came on the back of Javed’s lament that the constant management and team personnel changes across formats hampered Pakistan’s performance across formats. Hosts of the ongoing Champions Trophy, Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit with defeats to New Zealand and India before their final game against Bangladesh was washed out.
“We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years or so,” he was quoted as saying at a news conference to announce the latest overhaul of Pakistan’s limited-overs squads. “You put that formula on any team in the world, I think they will also be in the same situation. Until you get consistency right from the top down to the bottom, from the chairman down, then your team will not progress.”
Gillespie’s Instagram story.
Gillespie called Javed’s remarks “hilarious”. The former Australia quick who played international cricket for 10 years, appearing in 71 tests and 97 ODIs, was appointed last April for two years as Pakistan’s test coach but quit before a series in South Africa less than eight months later after an unsuccessful start.
Gillespie was the second foreigner to leave Pakistan’s program in less than two months after South African Gary Kirsten stepped down as limited-overs coach in October.
“Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats,” Gillespie posted. “He is a clown.”
Javed’s interim coaching job was set to be until the Champions Trophy. However, with the Pakistan Cricket Board yet to seek a replacement, Javed will continue in the role for the team’s tour to New Zealand, starting March 16.