In a not-so-unexpected move, PCB named former Pakistani pacer Aqib Javed as their interim red-ball head coach, after the abrupt resignation of Jason Gillespie. The move has come just before the South Africa Test series, as the announcement came late of Thursday. Meanwhile, Gillespie’s decision came after the board did not renew assistant coach Tim Neilsen’s contract, as per a report in Geo News.
Jason Gillespie vs PCB
On the other hand, the first series as head coach for Aqib Javed will be, the South Africa one, that is scheduled to start in Ceturion from December 26. But currently the Pakistani side is playing a three-match T20I series, that will be followed by a 3-match ODI series.
As far as Nielsen is concerned, he was made the red ball high performance director in August, and his contract expired on the tour of Australia. Gillespie, on the other hand had expressed his inability to travel to South Africa due to personal reasons, and was supposed to reach there by Friday.
Aqib Javed Takes Ove Pakistan Cricket Team
As per various reports, Nielsen was not consulted before the decision was made by the PCB. Gillespie too did not have the best of times with the board as he was removed from the selector’s role in October, after Aqib Javed was brought in. These two ousters have just come after white-ball coach Gary Kirsten’s exit.
The South African had left towards the end of the October, “over disagreements with the PCB”. Having said that, the PCB has had a long history of troubled relationship with foreign coaches, or coaches in general. The last few years has seen a plethora of coaches come in and go.
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