Former coaching stints often end quietly but Jason Gillespie’s exit from Pakistan cricket came with unresolved frustration. Looking back, the former Australian fast bowler has now spoken openly about what pushed him to walk away from his role as Pakistan’s Test head coach, just eight months into the job.
Jason Gillespie revealed that the turning point came when the Pakistan Cricket Board removed the team’s senior assistant coach without informing him. He said that the decision was made without any communication, something he found deeply troubling given his position as head coach. For Jason Gillespie, this lack of transparency crossed a line and ultimately led to his resignation.
https://x.com/singh4123/status/2006678261171106125
He shared these details during a question-and-answer session on X, where a fan asked him directly why he chose to leave the Pakistan coaching setup. Responding to the query, Jason Gillespie wrote, “I was coaching the Pakistan Test side. The PCB sacked our senior assistant coach with ZERO communication with me about it- as Head Coach, I found this situation completely unacceptable.”
https://x.com/dizzy259/status/2006679778536149144
Jason Gillespie also recalled another moment that left him questioning the working culture within Pakistan cricket. He spoke about an initiative meant to bring the team closer together, an idea that was designed to strengthen trust and understanding among players and staff.
According to Jason Gillespie, a connection camp was planned by Gary Kirsten in order to provide a space where everyone involved with the team could openly share their experiences and connect on a personal level. Coaching staff and players made the effort to be present, with some even travelling from overseas to attend. The session was meant to reflect unity and commitment at the highest level.
Gary Kirsten travelled from South Africa to Lahore and Jason Gillespie came from Australia but the chairman Mohsin Naqvi attended it through video call despite being in Lahore and just 20 minutes away from the venue.
While those from other countries travelled long distances to be part of the discussion, the absence of key figures raised questions. For him and his fellow coach, it sent a confusing message about priorities and involvement.
Despite the abrupt ending, Jason Gillespie’s tenure was not without success. Under his guidance, Pakistan secured a 2-1 Test series win at home against England, a notable achievement. However, his time in charge also came with challenges. Early in his stint, Pakistan suffered a 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh, setting a difficult tone. He also made the tough call to drop senior batter Babar Azam from the playing XI due to poor form after the first Test of a series.
In the end, Jason Gillespie’s departure highlighted deeper issues around communication and decision-making, factors he felt made it impossible to continue in the role.
