Pakistan cricket recently faced the resignations of two head coaches quickly, with Jason Gillespie stepping down as the national red-ball coach just days before the Test series against South Africa.
Insiders cite the refusal of Pakistani cricket authorities to meet Gillespie’s demands as the primary reason for his resignation. The issues began when Gillespie was removed from the selection committee, which significantly displeased him. He then sought the roles of head coach for both red and white-ball teams, along with a request for higher compensation.
However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi declined the salary increase, and the board also insisted Gillespie spend more time in Pakistan, a condition he could not accept.
Read: PCB Confirms Jason Gillespie Continues as Test Coach
Similar challenges led to the resignation of Gary Kirsten, the former white-ball head coach, who stepped down before the series against Australia due to his reluctance to stay in Pakistan outside series commitments.
Read: Gary Kirsten to Quit as Pakistan’s White-Ball Coach
Both coaches wanted to bring in their preferred support staff, adding further complexities.
Gillespie, due in South Africa today to lead the pre-Test series camp, submitted his resignation on Thursday. The PCB appointed Aqib Javed as the interim red-ball head coach in response.
Despite rumours of Gillespie’s impending resignation circulating since last month after Kirsten’s departure, the PCB initially dismissed these as unfounded.
The PCB had emphasized that Gillespie, who served as white-ball coach on an interim basis during last month’s tour of Australia in Kirsten’s absence, was not leaving his role. Gillespie clarified he had no interest in a permanent coaching position in the white-ball format, citing his reluctance to spend extended periods away from home and the mental strain of the role.
