Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan cricket has already attracted attention, with the former Australian fast bowler making his intentions clear ahead of PSL 2026. In a clip that has gone viral, Gillespie cheekily turned down a request to make a franchise-style welcome film, saying he had “too much work”, underscoring his unadulterated Kingstin’s new approach.
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“Hey mate, I’m here. How are you? I’m not going down but – I’m busy. I bet you want me to do one of those stupid arrival videos you always see. I’m not doing that mate, I’m busy. But thanks anyway,” Gillespie said in a video uploaded by Hyderabad franchise
The 50-year-old re-entered Pakistan cricket less than 15 months after his turbulent exit from the national set-up. Gillespie served as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach after being appointed in April 2024, but resigned in December 2024 after an eventful and short-lived tenure of around eight months. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed his departure in December, with Aqib Javed naming an interim replacement.
Now Gillespie is back in a franchise role. Hyderabad, one of two new PSL teams added for the 2026 season, appointed him as head coach in January, marking a new chapter in his Pakistan association.
His blunt announcement of his arrival only added to the buzz. For the Hyderabad Kingsmen, it signals that they have brought in a coach focused more on preparation than presentation. And for Pakistan cricket, Gillespie’s comeback is significant: after a difficult stint with the national team and public friction with the PCB, he nevertheless decided to return – this time to the high-pressure, fast-moving world of the PSL.
Hyderabad are scheduled to begin their campaign on Thursday, March 26 against Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Hyderabad Kingsmen team
Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Meh, Shamo Asif Meh, Shamo Asif Meh Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
25 March 2026 18:29 IST
