Pakistan officials have denied claims that head coach Jason Gillespie is set to be sacked, following speculation after he reportedly declined a new contract. Gillespie will continue to lead the team, including for the upcoming Test series against South Africa after coaching Pakistan to an ODI victory over Australia.
Pakistan cricket authorities have categorically dismissed recent speculation regarding the potential dismissal of Jason Gillespie as head coach of the national team. This response follows reports from ESPN Cricinfo suggesting that the Australian coach, currently overseeing the Test team, was on the verge of being replaced. Gillespie had recently been appointed on an interim basis to head the white-ball squad after the exit of former coach Gary Kirsten. Despite indications that Gillespie had received a new contract offer to manage Pakistan cricket across all formats, he reportedly declined it due to not receiving a pay increase. Consequently, Aaqib Javed’s name came up as a possible replacement as Pakistan appeared to shift toward consolidating coaching into a single position. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) countered such rumors by reaffirming Gillespie’s role through an official statement on their social media, emphasizing that he would continue leading the team for their upcoming Test series against South Africa. Gillespie’s recent successes include guiding the Pakistan ODI team to an unexpected 2-1 series victory over Australia, although they did struggle in subsequent T20 matches. The third encounter in that series is scheduled for Monday night in Hobart, while the Test series against South Africa is set to commence on December 26.
The context surrounding the speculation about Jason Gillespie’s tenure as head coach involves his recent transition to lead Pakistan’s white-ball team following the departure of Gary Kirsten. While he initially stepped in as interim head coach, there were discussions about his future, specifically whether he would continue beyond this temporary role. The cricket landscape in Pakistan has seen various coaching changes, with the PCB contemplating a shift back to a single coach model after previously employing multiple coaches for different formats. Gillespie’s leadership was recently highlighted through a notable ODI series victory against Australia, enhancing the scrutiny of his position following any claims of his potential departure.
In summary, the Pakistan Cricket Board has firmly rejected rumors of Jason Gillespie’s impending dismissal as head coach, reinforcing his commitment to the national team. Despite earlier reports suggesting potential changes, Gillespie’s recent achievements have solidified his role ahead of critical matches against South Africa. As Pakistan embarks on this important Test series, all eyes will be on the team’s performances and Gillespie’s strategies moving forward.
Original Source: www.nine.com.au
