Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Former Pakistan Coach Gillespie Blasts Selectors Over Mid-Series Test Overhaul
Pakistan changed its coaches and players in the middle of a Test series against England.
The changes happened after Pakistan lost the first two matches by large margins.
Seven players were sent home, including Salman Ali Agha, who had captained Pakistan in the first match.
Former coach Jason Gillespie said the players might feel scared because decisions were changing so quickly.
He said Pakistan did not appear to have a clear plan for choosing its team.
Gillespie also said some players found out they had been dropped from people outside the team or from the media.
Pakistan’s chief selector Aaqib Javed has blamed Gillespie and Gary Kirsten for some of the team’s problems.
Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke took charge for the last match of the series.
Pakistan replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after losing the opening two Tests to England.
Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, were sent home before the third Test.
Jason Gillespie said Pakistan’s frequent changes showed a lack of selection strategy and created fear among players.
Gillespie said some players learned they had been dropped through family, friends or the media, calling the treatment disrespectful.
Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke assumed coaching responsibilities for the final Test at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.
- Who
- Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie criticized chief selector Aaqib Javed and Pakistan’s team management; Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke took charge for the third Test.
- What
- Pakistan overhauled its Test squad and coaching staff midway through its series against England, prompting criticism from Gillespie.
- When
- The changes followed the opening two Tests; the third and final Test was scheduled for September 9 to 13.
- Where
- The series is being played in England, with the final Test scheduled at Edgbaston after matches at Headingley and Lord’s.
- Why
- Pakistan made the changes after heavy defeats in the first two Tests and going 2-0 down in the three-match series.
Gillespie’s criticism
Aaqib Javed’s reported position
Responsibility for Pakistan’s struggles
Gillespie’s criticism
Gillespie said Aaqib Javed should examine his own role and criticized him for blaming Gillespie and Gary Kirsten after they had left Pakistan cricket.
Aaqib Javed’s reported position
Javed has reportedly blamed the coaching staff led by Gillespie and Kirsten for Pakistan’s current Test situation; the articles do not include a direct response to Gillespie’s latest comments.
Selection strategy
Gillespie’s criticism
Gillespie said the selection committee had no clear strategy and changed decisions frequently, citing Salman Ali Agha’s move from first-Test captain to being sent home before the third Test.
Aaqib Javed’s reported position
Pakistan’s management responded to the two defeats with major squad and coaching changes, but the articles do not provide Javed’s detailed explanation for the selections.
Treatment of players
Gillespie’s criticism
Gillespie said players were treated disrespectfully because some reportedly learned of their omissions through family, friends or the media, and he argued that the team needed more support.
Aaqib Javed’s reported position
The articles provide no direct statement from Javed or the Pakistan Cricket Board addressing how the affected players were informed.
- Series position
- Pakistan lost the first two Tests to England and trailed 2-0 in the three-match series.
- Opening-Test margins
- Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.
- Players sent home
- Seven players were sent home, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha.
- Coaching changes
- The Pakistan Cricket Board parted ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
- Gillespie’s criticism
- Gillespie said Pakistan lacked a consistent selection strategy and that players appeared to be playing with fear.
- Communication complaint
- Gillespie said some players learned about their omissions through family, friends or the media.
- Final Test coaches
- White-ball coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke assumed coaching responsibilities for the final Test.
