Ex-Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie tells Aaqib Javed to 'look in the mirror' over cricket team sackings

Former Pakistan cricket coach Jason Gillespie has criticized chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed, urging him to "look in the mirror" following a series of dramatic sackings within the national team. In a recent statement to The Australian newspaper, Gillespie, who led the team for eight months in 2024, expressed his disgust at the players' apparent fear and the lack of clear selection strategy.

Gillespie highlighted how players like Salman Ali Agha were dropped abruptly, only to be sent home without explanation. He accused Javed of lacking a coherent plan, noting that the board seemed to change its mind frequently. Javed himself has attempted to deflect blame, pointing fingers at Gillespie and former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten.

The Pakistan team's recent poor performances, including a 103-run loss in the first Test and a 194-run defeat in the second, have left Gillespie and other ex-coaches baffled. There is a distinct lack of communication between Javed and the players, who learned of their dismissals through outside sources, according to Gillespie. The third Test against England is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9.