Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for undermining him during his stint with the Pakistan men’s national team, questioning the direction Pakistan cricket is heading at the moment.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the former Australian pacer insisted that he would continue to speak out against the PCB despite the board still owing him thousands of dollars. For the unversed, the former pacer was axed as Pakistan’s head coach in December 2024.
“The PCB still owes me thousands of dollars, but I was never going to be a yes man. I wasn’t going to compromise on my principles. I never have throughout my career and I certainly wasn’t going to change,” Gillespie said.
Further, the former head coach also slammed the Pakistan chief selector, Aaqib Javed, adding that it affected him mentally, making him doubt himself to leave the sport completely. He reckoned that Javed was in charge of absolutely everything.
“I was totally disrespected and undermined, and I direct that towards Aaqib Javed. The whole experience just deflated me and put me off coaching. It affected me mentally, doubting myself and leaving me thinking whether I still wanted to be involved in the sport,” he added.
“Aaqib came in and took over. It appeared to me that he was in charge of absolutely everything. Aaqib is still the chairman of selectors. He’s kept his job. He’s had a crack at Gary Kirsten and me, blaming us for where Pakistan cricket is where it is. Gary and I haven’t even been there for two years,” he concluded.
Interestingly, following heavy losses to England in the ongoing tour, Javed’s fellow selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq tendered his resignation amidst mounting pressure and board inquiries.
