Pak is an exciting team: Gillespie

Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s new Test coach, described his decision to join the Pakistan cricket team as straightforward.

He expressed that his family reacted positively to the news, particularly his children, who were amazed by the opportunity.

His 18-year-old son, Jackson, who plays as a fast bowler for the South Australia Under-19 team, enthusiastically supported his decision.

While there were more measured discussions with his wife and other family members in Australia, Gillespie acknowledged the challenges of being away from home due to the team’s demanding schedule. However, he emphasized his deep commitment to the role.

“Pakistan is an exciting cricket team and has a passionate fan base,” Gillespie told ESPNCricinfo. “And this is an opportunity to be involved in international cricket and work with the best players. Having not been on the international circuit for a while since I finished playing, it’s going to be a new experience and a new challenge, which I’m really excited about.”

Reflecting on Pakistan cricket, Gillespie highlighted its vibrant spirit and passionate fan base as motivating factors. He recalled fond memories of competing against Pakistan and admired their team’s pride, notably the iconic training kit emblazoned with “Proud to be Pakistani.”

“I remember this training kit the Pakistan boys had. They had all the logos on, and on the back, it said ‘Proud to be Pakistani’. Do you remember those shirts? That stuck in my head. That was 20 years ago! And for me, that really resonated. I thought, ‘That’s cool.’

“That pride is how I felt representing my country, putting on that cap and wearing the shirt with the Australian coat of arms. It meant the world to me. Playing for your country is the best thing in the world - it’s awesome.”

Gillespie emphasized the honor and privilege he feels in coaching Pakistan.

“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to coach Pakistan, and it’s an honour and a privilege for each and every player to represent Pakistan. That for me, is something that’s always stood out. I know when I played against Pakistan, that came through,” he said.

Gillespie acknowledged the complexity of navigating this landscape but is unequivocal about the importance of the national team.

“Players are centrally contracted and getting compensated really well. We have the right to be able to say, ‘Look, in this situation, we need you to rest or have some downtime to give your body and mind a break, be ready for the next challenge for Pakistan’” Gillespie said.

He stressed that while it’s beneficial for players to gain experience in various leagues, if such participation jeopardises their readiness for upcoming international commitments, a discussion and a decision are necessary.

“We want players to go and play in these leagues and have these great experiences. But if we believe it’s going to be to the detriment of representing Pakistan in an upcoming series, then we’ll have a discussion and have a decision to make.

“These are honest and difficult conversations. Ultimately, we’re tasked with doing what’s right by Pakistan cricket.”

Gillespie underscored the importance of fostering relationships that allow for candid and tough conversations.

“If being honest is telling a player something they might not want to hear, well, then I’m willing to do that. I want to help them be the best player and person they can be.”