Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie's deteriorating relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) has culminated in his resignation, as the former Australian bowler stepped down from his post. The PCB has now appointed Aqib Javed as the interim red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team on Thursday.
Aqib will take charge for the two-match Test series against South Africa during the ongoing all-format tour.
The first Test is scheduled to be held at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 to 30 December, with the second Test set for Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January.
Gillespie's resignation followed frustrations with the PCB’s decision not to renew high-performance red-ball coach Tim Nielsen’s contract.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Gillespie was particularly upset that he was neither consulted nor informed in advance about the move with sources claimes that this left Gillespie feeling disrespected by the PCB's handling of the matter.
Nielsen had expressed his willingness to continue his role and was available for the upcoming series, but was informed that his services would no longer be required.
Gillespie, who was appointed in April alongside white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, had initially been brought in with high expectations where PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had praised Gillespie's "stellar track record" upon his hiring.
However, tensions had risen within the PCB, with Gillespie being removed from the Test selection panel in October.
This development led him to feel sidelined, with some insiders noting that he viewed himself as merely a "matchday analyst," a role he had not agreed to when signing his contract.
With an already soured relationship, Nielsen's removal appears to have been the final nail in the coffin, as reports suggested that the former Australian fast bowler communicated his intention not to travel to South Africa under the present circumstances to the board and finally resigned as the head coach.
The Pakistan men's team is currently engaged in a three-match T20I series in South Africa, followed by a three-match ODI series.
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