Jason Gillespie Opens Up on Pakistan Exit: ‘I Felt Unwanted’
BRISBANE: Jason Gillespie revealed on Monday that a lack of communication and being sidelined from major decisions led to his resignation as Pakistan’s Test coach. The former Australian fast bowler, appointed in April on a two-year contract, stepped down last week citing frustration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Gillespie said the situation deteriorated after he was excluded from key decisions, including the removal of performance coach Tim Nielsen, another Australian.
“Nielsen was told his services were no longer required, and I had zero communication from anyone,” Gillespie told ABC in Brisbane. “For a decision of that magnitude, and the head coach doesn’t even get a phone call, email, or text—well, that was the moment I felt they didn’t really want me.”
The PCB accepted Gillespie’s resignation shortly after, marking the second high-profile coaching departure in two months. Former South African opener Gary Kirsten had earlier quit as Pakistan’s white-ball coach due to conflicts with selectors.
A Tough Stint for Gillespie
Gillespie’s tenure began disastrously as Pakistan suffered a 2-0 series whitewash against Bangladesh, followed by an innings defeat to England in Multan during the first Test.
The embarrassing loss triggered drastic changes by the PCB:
- Gillespie was removed from the selection panel.
- Star players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah were dropped.
Despite those changes, Pakistan rallied to win the remaining two Tests against England and claim the series 2-1. However, Gillespie’s role had been significantly reduced, leaving him dissatisfied.
Frustration Over Limited Role
Gillespie refused to travel with the team for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa starting December 26. He cited his marginalization as a major reason:
“In essence, I was just hitting catches on match mornings—that was about it,” he explained. “As head coach, you expect clear communication with selectors and to know the team at least a day before a match to help prepare and strategize effectively.”
Pakistan’s Coaching Turmoil
Gillespie’s departure is part of a larger pattern of instability. Pakistan have now had seven different coaches across formats in the last three years, reflecting ongoing turmoil within the PCB’s management structure.
The back-to-back exits of Gillespie and Kirsten highlight the challenges of managing Pakistan cricket, with frequent changes, lack of clarity in roles, and strained communication being recurring issues.
As Pakistan prepare for their tour of South Africa, questions remain about who will step in to bring stability to the team’s coaching setup.
