Jason Gillespie To Coach Pakistan In South Africa

Jason Gillespie is staying on—for now. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the former Australian pacer will continue as head coach for Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. But beyond that? It’s anyone’s guess.

Gillespie’s contract technically runs until 2026, but the PCB has been oddly quiet about his future. After South Africa, Pakistan hosts the West Indies for another two-Test series, but there’s no confirmation if Gillespie will still be in charge. It’s a bit of a limbo situation, and fans can’t help but wonder what’s next for the team’s coaching setup.

Rumors and Realities

The cricket rumor mill had been buzzing recently about Aaqib Javed potentially replacing Gillespie. Some whispers even suggested Aaqib might step into the vacant white-ball coaching role, a position left empty since Gary Kirsten’s resignation last month.

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The PCB addressed the rumors with a clear statement: “As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa.” Short and sweet, but it didn’t address the elephant in the room—what happens after?

Coaching Drama: A Pay Cut and Power Struggles

Gillespie’s stint with the PCB hasn’t been all smooth sailing. His relationship with the board hit a rough patch recently, especially after some of his responsibilities were quietly trimmed. Once part of the selection committee, Gillespie was removed and now has no say in squad selection—a move he says blindsided him.

“When I came on board, I was told there was a long-term plan,” Gillespie shared in a recent interview. “It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest.”

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To make things worse, the PCB approached Gillespie about taking on the white-ball coaching role but didn’t offer a pay increase for the extra work. Unsurprisingly, Gillespie declined.

Aaqib Javed in the Wings?

As Gillespie navigates these challenges, Aaqib Javed’s name continues to surface. Reports suggest that Aaqib has been offered the white-ball coaching job, potentially through the Champions Trophy. Local names like Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq were also in the mix but didn’t get much traction.

For now, Gillespie will focus on South Africa, but the tension behind the scenes is hard to ignore. His reduced authority and the PCB’s lack of clarity about his future suggest that a change might be on the horizon.