Pakistan’s red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, recently revealed a significant shift in his role within the team, sparking discussions about whether his influence in the Pakistan dressing room has been curtailed.
Initially serving both as head coach and a member of the selection committee, Gillespie’s position has now transitioned to a more defined role as a "match day strategist." This change comes after a string of poor results, including an innings defeat in Multan.
BET NOW: Bet here on the IND vs NZ Test series and win cash bonuses
What is Jason Gillespie’s new role in the Pakistan cricket team?
Jason Gillespie has confirmed that his duties as a selector for the Pakistan national team have been removed. Previously, he held the dual responsibility of coaching and having a say in the selection process.
His input, along with captain Shan Masood’s, played a key role in finalizing Pakistan’s squad for the recent Test series against England. However, after an extended winless streak, Gillespie’s responsibilities have been reshaped.
“The PCB came out and made some changes after that [first] Test match. It was decided that a new selection panel would come in and that they would be making the decisions. I am now the coach for match-day strategy. I keep out of things now and focus on getting the players ready for cricket.”
He is now focused on match-day strategies, leaving the selection of the playing XI to a newly formed committee, "I’m a match-day strategist as head coach. My focus is on the players, I’ll let the selectors do their job," said Gillespie.
Why was there a change in the Pakistan cricket set-up?
Following an embarrassing defeat in the first Test against England in Multan, Pakistan’s cricket authorities made major structural changes.
Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali joined the selection panel, freeing Gillespie and Masood from their previous roles in the selection process.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
The revamped committee made bold decisions, including dropping high-profile players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the second Test. This shift proved effective, as Pakistan turned their fortunes around with a crucial win.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >