Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie has opened up about his decision to step down as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach, citing role-related concerns and lack of communication as key factors.
In an interview with Australian media, Gillespie revealed that the decision to not retain High-Performance Coach Tim Nielsen was made without his knowledge, raising doubts about his own position.
“I wasn’t informed about the decision not to renew Tim Nielsen’s contract,” Gillespie explained. “Instances like this made me question whether my role as head coach was truly valued. Not being consulted on such a major decision was concerning.”
He expressed frustration over his role being sidelined within Pakistan’s cricket setup.
“The purpose of my coaching stint in Pakistan was fading,” he noted, adding, “My responsibilities seemed to diminish to just giving catching practice on match mornings.”
Gillespie also underscored the need for clear communication in his role as head coach.
“As head coach, it’s crucial to have open communication with selectors and management,” he said. “For planning, I need to be informed about the squad in advance. Without such basic cooperation, the job becomes extremely difficult.”
He further disclosed that he learned about the new selection committee only via a group text after the first Test against England, highlighting a lack of coordination.
One controversial decision by the new committee, dropping star batter Babar Azam for the second Test against England, exemplified the communication gap, according to Gillespie.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier decided not to renew Nielsen’s contract after his tenure as “high-performance red-ball coach” ended following Pakistan’s tour of Australia. Nielsen revealed that, despite his willingness to continue, the PCB informed him that his services were no longer needed.
Jason Gillespie was appointed Pakistan’s red-ball head coach in April 2024. His tenure included a 2-0 Test series loss to Bangladesh and a 2-1 home Test series victory against England. Following his resignation, Aqib Javed has been named interim head coach for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
