- Jason Gillespie appointed new coach of Pakistan
- Will oversee November ODI and T20 Australian tour
- Gillespie recently stated he wanted more clarity in role
- Was working closely with South African great Gary Kirsten
Australian cricket legend Jason Gillespie has been appointed Pakistan’s coach ahead of their ODI and T20 tour down under which begins on November 4.
The move has raised eyebrows in cricket circles after Gillespie, 49, recently declared he was frustrated ‘from time to time’ over what he felt was a lack of clarity in his role as a ‘match-day strategist’ with the Shaheens.
Gillespie, who snared 259 Test wickets in a decorated career before turning his attention to coaching, replaces Gary Kirsten, with the former South African batsman only lasting six months in the hot seat.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the development on Monday.
‘Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia,’ a statement read.
‘Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted.’
Gillespie was also a key figure behind the scenes in the Men In Green’s impressive Test series victory against England on home soil.
A rapid-fire paceman in his heyday – who also once scored an unbeaten Test double hundred against Bangladesh – Gillespie retired from first class cricket in 2008.
Australian cricket legend Jason Gillespie has been appointed Pakistan’s coach ahead of their ODI and T20 tour down under which begins on November 4
Gillespie, who snared 259 Test wickets in a decorated career before turning his attention to coaching, replaces Gary Kirsten, with the South African only lasting six months in the hot seat
He then coached the likes of Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, Yorkshire and Sussex in England, Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash and the Redbacks in South Australia.
The tour of Australia will see three ODI matches in Melbourne (November 4), Adelaide (November 8) and Perth (November 10) before three T20 fixtures to be staged in Brisbane (November 14), Sydney (November 16) and Hobart (November 18).
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain for the tour on Australian soil, with Salman Ali Agha vice-captain.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan pace bowler Tanvir Ahmed has opened up about Kirsten quitting.
‘Gary has left and soon he (Jason Gillespie) will also leave, just wait.
‘In our system, we don’t have respect, but others do. Our system is filled with corruption,’ Tanvir posted on X.
Cricket Pakistan also reported superstar batsman Babar Azam was the key reason behind Kirsten’s decision to move on.
It is understood the pair had a disagreement over the star batsman’s availability.
