Aaqib Javed, a national selector and former pacer, is set to become Pakistan’s permanent head coach for white-ball cricket.
The appointment is expected before the team’s tour of Zimbabwe for an ODI and T20I series. Pakistan will face Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, participating in three ODIs and three T20Is.
A reliable source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi successfully persuaded Javed to take the coaching role. “The team will head to Harare directly from Australia after their last T20I on Monday, and Javed will meet them there,” the source stated.
Breaking!
Pakistan to remove Jason Gillespie.
Aaqib Javed to be head coach in all formats. Announcement soon.
Photo: X pic.twitter.com/9bPYzUDLZg
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 17, 2024
Javed has a rich coaching background, having worked with Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach. He previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach and the head coach for the under-19 team.
EXCLUSIVE: Jason Gillespie is set to be removed as Pakistan head coach 🔁
Full story: https://t.co/YLdvBVi8BL pic.twitter.com/f4m6N4BSnq
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 17, 2024
The PCB had considered Australian Jason Gillespie, who is currently coaching the Test team, for the role. However, Gillespie declined the additional responsibility to spend more time with his family. Gillespie had also filled in as the interim white-ball coach in Australia following Gary Kirsten’s resignation before the tour.
After Zimbabwe, Pakistan’s schedule includes a white-ball series and two Tests in South Africa before they return home in January.