Gillespie tells Aaqib Javed to ‘look in the mirror’ over coaching shake-up

Sports Desk 

CANBERRA: Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has criticised the recent upheaval in the national team, telling selector chairman Aaqib Javed to “look at himself in the mirror” over the side’s ongoing problems.

Gillespie expressed concern over what he described as a fearful approach among Pakistan’s players, while questioning the decision-making behind the latest changes to the coaching staff and squad.

Pakistan recently removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling coach Umar Gul from their respective positions following heavy defeats in the ongoing Test series against England. Seven players were also sent back home ahead of the final match of the tour.

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for around eight months in 2024 and guided the side to a 2-1 Test series victory over England, said he was disappointed by the developments.

“I feel for the players, this is these guys' livelihoods,” Gillespie told international news outlet. “From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear,” he added.

He also questioned the treatment of Salman Ali Agha, who captained Pakistan in the opening Test but was subsequently dropped from the squad and sent home before 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. How does that work?” he said.

Gillespie placed much of the responsibility for the selection uncertainty on Javed, arguing that Pakistan lacked a consistent strategy in selecting and managing players.

“It’s pretty clear they don’t have a selection strategy at all, particularly under Aaqib Javed. They change their mind like they change their pants — daily,” he said.

The former Australian fast bowler also rejected criticism previously directed at him and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten.

“Aaqib Javed came out recently and blamed Gary Kirsten and myself for everything that is going on,” Gillespie said. “Aaqib has been chairman of selectors for the past two years. We haven’t even been there,” Gillespie said.

He added: “Somehow he claims it is our fault. Make sense out of that. I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror.” Pakistan have endured a difficult start to the Test series in England. They were beaten by an innings and 103 runs in the opening match at Headingley before suffering another heavy defeat, losing the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.

The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan seeking to avoid a series whitewash. Gillespie also raised concerns about communication between the selection management and the players, suggesting that the lack of direct communication had added to the uncertainty surrounding the team.

“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 only became aware of their removal from the squad through relatives, friends or reports in the media.

“The players who were sacked heard it through family and friends and the media they had been sacked. How disrespectful is that?” he said. The latest developments have also drawn criticism from several former Pakistan players and coaches.

Former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have expressed their concerns over the situation, while ex-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur described the developments as “an absolutely ridiculous situation”.

Meanwhile, New Zealander Mike Hesson, who already serves as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, and Australian Ashley Noffke have taken charge of the team for the remainder of the England tour.