Islamabad(The COW News Digital)Pakistan’s former red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has launched a strong criticism of former chief selector Aqib Javed, questioning the decision-making and selection approach surrounding the national cricket team.
Gillespie said Pakistan’s players appear to be playing under fear, while he sees little evidence of a clear or consistent selection strategy within the team. He also advised Javed to “look in the mirror” and accept responsibility for the current situation.
The former Australian Test bowler claimed that Javed frequently changes his decisions and has repeatedly shifted responsibility for Pakistan’s struggles onto former coaching staff. According to Gillespie, Javed has blamed both him and former Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten for problems despite the fact that both coaches have already left their respective positions.
Gillespie questioned why former coaches continue to be held responsible for issues that have emerged after their departures. He argued that Javed, who has spent around two years in a key selection role, should acknowledge his own responsibility for the team’s current challenges.
The former Pakistan coach also highlighted what he described as a serious communication gap between the players and the selection authorities. He claimed that some players who were removed from the team were not directly informed about their exclusion.
According to Gillespie, affected players learned about their removal through family members, friends or the media rather than receiving official communication from the relevant authorities.
He described the manner in which the decisions were communicated as highly disrespectful to professional cricketers. Gillespie stressed that players deserve to be treated with dignity and should be informed directly when major decisions regarding their careers are made.
His remarks have added further pressure on Pakistan’s cricket management, with questions continuing over team selection, player communication and accountability within the national setup.
Gillespie’s criticism comes amid growing debate over Pakistan’s performances and the direction of the national team. His comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of the selection process and the responsibilities of those overseeing Pakistan cricket.
The former coach’s remarks also underline the ongoing disagreements surrounding Pakistan’s cricket administration, as former and current officials continue to offer contrasting views about the reasons behind the team’s struggles.
