In a striking commentary on the current state of Pakistan cricket, former head coach Jason Gillespie has called out Aaqib Javed, the chairman of selectors, urging him to "look at himself in the mirror". This statement follows a tumultuous week for the national team, which saw significant changes in leadership and player personnel after a series of disappointing performances.
This week, Pakistan's cricket management made the bold decision to replace head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling chief Umar Gul. In addition, seven players were sent home from England, a drastic move in response to two heavy losses in the ongoing Test series against England. The first Test ended in an innings and 103-run defeat at Headingley, followed by a 194-run loss at Lord's.
Gillespie, who had a brief tenure as Pakistan's head coach in 2024, expressed his sadness over the situation, noting that the players are now in a precarious position regarding their careers. He remarked, "From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear," highlighting a lack of confidence within the team. He specifically pointed out the case of Salman Ali Agha, who went from captaining the team in the first Test to being dropped and sent home before the third Test, questioning the rationale behind such decisions.
The Australian coach did not hold back in his criticism of Javed's leadership, stating, "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." Gillespie also referenced Javed's recent comments blaming former coaches, including himself and Gary Kirsten, for the team's struggles, despite having been in charge of selections for the past two years. He challenged Javed's logic, saying, "Make sense out of that. I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror."
Gillespie further emphasized the lack of communication between Javed and the players, revealing that many of those who were dismissed learned of their fate through family, friends, or media outlets rather than directly from the selectors. He described this as highly disrespectful, adding to the turmoil surrounding the team.
The reaction to the situation has been echoed by other former Pakistan players and coaches, including ex-captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, who have expressed their confusion over the management's decisions. Former coach Mickey Arthur labeled the circumstances as "an absolutely ridiculous situation," reflecting a broader concern about the direction of Pakistan cricket.
In light of these developments, New Zealander Mike Hesson, already serving as Pakistan's white-ball chief, and Australian Ashley Noffke have been appointed to lead the team for the remainder of the tour. The third and final Test is set to commence at Edgbaston on September 9, where the team will aim to salvage some pride after a challenging series.
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