Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has strongly criticized Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, labeling him a “clown” for his remarks about the team’s struggles and his aspirations to become the full-time head coach.
During a press conference following Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, Javed highlighted the frequent changes in coaching staff and selectors as a major reason for the team’s poor performance.
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He argued that such instability would negatively impact any team, stating, “We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years. If any team in the world faced this situation, they would struggle just as we have. Without consistency from top to bottom, the team cannot progress.”
Pakistan, the hosts of the Champions Trophy, failed to make it past the group stage after defeats to India and New Zealand, while their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, dismissed Javed’s comments as “hilarious” and took to social media platform Threads to ridicule him. He accused Javed of working behind the scenes to take over the coaching role, stating, “It’s a bit rich of Aaqib Javed to blame ‘instability’ when he himself went behind the backs of Gary Kirsten and me to take over the Pakistan team.”
Pakistan cricket has witnessed frequent changes in coaching and selection committees in recent years, leading to growing criticism from former players and analysts who advocate for a stable and long-term management approach.
Javed, a former Test pacer, previously coached Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has openly expressed his desire for a permanent coaching role with the national team. However, his tenure as interim coach is already under scrutiny, particularly after Pakistan’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign.
