Why did Jason Gillespie resign as the Pakistan cricket team‘s Test coach? It was previously reported that the former Australian cricketer wasn’t pleased with selection control being taken away from him. But that’s just one piece of the pie.
Aaqib Javed vs Jason Gillespie
New information reveals that Gillespie wanted Tim Nielsen, high-performance coach, to continue, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chose to back Shahid Aslam, National Cricket Academy (NCA) coach, due to now all-format head coach and senior selector Aaqib Javed’s backing.
Given the power Aaqid has gained over the last couple of months, there was no chance Gillespie‘s choice would have been backed over the former Pakistan pacer. This, clubbed with other issues, forced Gillespie’s hand to quit before the South Africa tour.
“Circumstances were created to make the former Australian player feel alienated in major decisions about the team. First despite his request the board didn’t renew the contract of high performance coach Tim Nielsen and then the Test squad for the SA series was announced without consulting him. Gillespie was also not happy that while refusing to renew contract of Nielsen whom he had recommended the board preferred to bring in Shahid Aslam from the national cricket academy as a coach into the support staff on recommendation of interim white ball head coach and senior selector Aaqib Javed,” a source told PTI..
Latest on Pakistan Cricket
Gillespie not backed by senior players
But wait, there is more. It’s further been revealed that many senior players who are on good terms with PCB officials also played a part in Gillespie going. It could have happened that one or more senior players would have told these officials that they didn’t feel comfortable working with Gillespie, and given he did not accept whatever PCB was throwing towards him, it could have played a part in his sacking.
“The sad part is that some senior players also have a role to play in deciding with which coach (es) they are comfortable and have the backing of some officials,” the source added.
