Aaqib Javed blames Pakistan’s selection chaos as ex-Pakistan coach steps in
Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has hit out at chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed, accusing the country’s cricket set-up of lacking a clear selection strategy and letting players “play with fear”.
Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024, said Javed needed to “look at himself in the mirror” after a dramatic mid-series overhaul during the England tour.
“I feel for the players; this is these guys’ livelihood. From the outside, it looks like they’re playing with fear,” Gillespie told Code Sports.
He pointed to the treatment of Salman Ali Agh as an example of insecurity in the Pakistani set-up. Salman captained Pakistan in the first Test against England before being dropped from the squad ahead of the third Test.
“Salman Ali Agha went from captaining the team in the first Test against England to being out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. How does that work?” Gillespie said.
Gillespie was particularly critical of Javed’s role in the selection process, arguing that Pakistan did not have a settled strategy and often changed its plans.
“It is quite clear that they have no selection strategy at all, especially under Aaqib Javed. They change their mind like they change their pants – daily,” he said.
The former Australian fast bowler also responded to Javed’s criticism of the previous coaching regime. Javed blamed Gillespie and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for some of the problems in the team.
“Aaqib Javed recently came out and blamed me and Gary Kirsten for everything that was going on. Aaqib was chairman of selectors for the last two years. We weren’t even there,” Gillespie said.
“He’s kind of saying it’s our fault. Make sense of it. I think Javed needs to look in the mirror.”
Gillespie also questioned the communication between the selection committee and the players, claiming that some of those sent home from England only found out through family, friends or the media.
“There is absolutely no communication between Aaqib Javed, who is supposed to be the chairman of selectors, and the players,” he said.
“The players who were fired heard from family, friends and the media that they were fired. How disrespectful is that?”
Pakistan’s woes intensified during England’s tough tour. They suffered an innings and 103-run defeat in the opening Test at Headingley before England completed a 194-run victory at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board then made sweeping changes to the touring team and coaching staff seven players sent home and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul removed from their positions.
The changes drew criticism from several former Pakistan players and coaches, with former head coach Mickey Arthur describing the situation as an “absolutely ridiculous situation”.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s head white-ball coach, took charge of the Test side for the remainder of the tour, while Australia’s Ashley Noffke joined as bowling coach.
Pakistan will look to avoid a 3-0 series defeat when the third and final Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
04 Sep 2026 12:35 IST