The Pakistan Cricket Board has named Test coach Jason Gillespie as the new white-ball coach. The move comes after Gary Kirsten resigned from his position, just days before the ODI series in Down Under. Gillespie will coach the team for the ODI and T20I series against Australia. Meanwhile, the board has informed that Gary Kirsten’s resignation has been accepted.
Jason Gillespie is Pakistan’s new white-ball coach
There’s no doubt Pakistan would want to capitalize on Jason Gillespie’s expertise in his own back yard when they tour Australia. Hence, he is the opt choice to replace Kirsten, at least temporarily. Pakistan will play the 1st ODI against Australia on November 4.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted,” the PCB informed in a media release.
Gary Kirsten quits as Pakistan coach
Gary Kirsten lasted only six months as Pakistan’s white-ball coach. His first big event – the T20 World Cup – saw Pakistan exit at the group stage of the tournament, suffering losses against USA and India. Jason Gillespie, on the other hand, has just recently tasted success after facing a loss in his first Test series as coach against Bangladesh. Kirsten reportedly stepped down from his position after allegedly having heated discussions with the board and the selection committee. It is pertinent to point out that he was not in Pakistan when Mohammad Rizwan was announced as the new white-ball captain.
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Gillespie stripped off selection powers
The former Australian pacer recently addressed the structural changes made by the PCB, empowering the revamped selection committee led by Aaqib Javed. Gillespie revealed that he was now relegated from coach to “match-day analyst” after being curtailed from having a say in the selection of the team. Both the coach and captain Shan Masood have been restricted from making decisions regarding team selection while the selection committee had full control in matters of team, pitch and more.
