[EXCLUSIVE] "Lack of communication led to my exit": Jason Gillespie

[FearlessRoar]

In PakPassion's latest exclusive interview, Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler and ex-head coach of Pakistan, opens up to Saj about his brief yet impactful tenure with the Pakistan cricket team.

Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Gillespie draws on his extensive coaching experience across international teams and leagues to provide candid insights into the structural issues within Pakistan cricket. He also discusses the key elements needed to build a successful, winning team, emphasizing the importance of stability and strategic planning.

Gillespie offers a rare and honest perspective on leadership challenges, Pakistan’s cricketing future, and the path to long-term success. He stresses the importance of consistent leadership and long-term planning to unlock the team’s full potential. While optimistic about Pakistan’s young talent, he emphasizes the need for proper support to help them progress. Comparing Australia’s stable system with that of Pakistan, Gillespie shares insights on the differences and expresses interest in potentially coaching in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the future, aiming to contribute to the game’s growth in the country.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Experience as Head Coach of Pakistan cricket team: Reflecting on his time as red-ball head coach, he shares insights into the challenges and dynamics he faced while guiding the team.

Thoughts on Shan Masood: He offers his perspective on Shan Masood’s abilities, potential, and the role he plays in the Pakistan cricket setup.

Struggles of the Pakistan team under pressure: He discusses how the team has often faltered under pressure and what factors contribute to their inconsistency in high-stakes situations.

Insecurity within the team and players: Addressing the underlying insecurity in the team, he talks about its impact on player performance and team stability.

The selection committee’s role and challenges: He shares his views on the selection committee’s approach and the challenges they face in building a competitive team.

Lessons PCB can learn from Australia's system: Drawing comparisons between Australia’s stable cricketing structure and Pakistan’s, he highlights valuable lessons that could help the PCB improve its system.

Future plans: Offering a glimpse into his future ambitions, he talks about his potential involvement in coaching and his ongoing interest in contributing to Pakistan’s cricketing growth.

Watch the full interview here:

 

[BouncerGuy]

As always.. Lack of communication and poor management from PCB created this whole mess. TBH, no foreign coach would want to work with this organization.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Surprised he still wants to be involved with Pakistan Cricket after this debacle and unprofessional episode.

 

[Abid Z]

What a good interview and he sounds very calm and level headed.

I would one day love to read an academic paper written by a former foreign coach that detail what the right vision ought to be to move Pakistan team forward. What they think a coach ought to be looking at. It’s pointless talking about board and selectors when these seem to be at the whim of the government. When govt changes they will change. But still a foreign coach ought to put forward a vision for how to develop tall 140k plus bowlers. It would be good to have Gillespie on board for PSL. Shame to burn bridges

 

[Savak]

Gillespie ultimately paid the price for selecting 4 fast bowlers in Pakistan against Bangladesh and for his lack of knowledge, experience of Pakistani conditions

 

[The Bald Eagle]

PCB messed up big time to prematurely eliminate two great coaches.

 

[hafizexpress]

Gillespie ultimately paid the price for selecting 4 fast bowlers in Pakistan against Bangladesh and for his lack of knowledge, experience of Pakistani conditions

This. And he wanted to continue with this strategy vs England which, if PCB hadn't stepped in, we would've witnessed the same whitewashing fate. So it's hard to feel bad about Gillespie's exit. I'm certain that he's a top level coach and would have made some positive effects to the white ball sides in the long run, but some of his decisions like selecting 4 fast bowlers in Pakistan are questionable.

I feel bad because his exit defamed Pakistan globally, once again. And due to that, I doubt that Pak would ever be able to hire a good foreign coach again. But, we need someone who understands our conditions and can utilize our resources the best.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Jason will never work with PCB again as far as I can see.

This PCB setup is a coach killer.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Gillespie Criticizes PCB Chairman's Absence from "Connection Camp"

Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has expressed his disappointment regarding Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's absence from a crucial team-building session, dubbed the "Connection Camp."

Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Gillespie recounted the significant effort he and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten made to attend the camp, an initiative spearheaded by Kirsten. However, they observed a notable lack of engagement from the top PCB official.

"Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom," said Gillespie.

"He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here — that was a bit unusual." he added.

The PCB organized the camp on September 23, 2024, with the goal of enhancing communication, collaboration, and performance within the national team. The session included eight senior players: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer described the camp as a timely initiative given the busy cricketing calendar, emphasizing its primary objective of developing a unified vision and mission for the national team.

Coach Departures and Frustrations

It's worth noting that Gillespie, the former Australian pacer, resigned as the national team’s Test coach just days before last year's South Africa Test series. He cited the PCB's decision to sack high-performance coach Tim Nielsen as a major factor in his departure.

"I was completely and utterly blindsided by a decision to not have a high-performance coach," Gillespie said.
"I just thought after a number of other things that had gone on in the previous few months, that was probably the moment where I thought, 'Well, I'm not really sure if they actually really want me to do this job or not.'"

Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, also shared his frustrations about his limited role and communication breakdowns during his tenure.

"I felt I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game," he added.
"You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, with selectors, for instance, knowing what the team is as head coach well before the game, or before at least the day before the game."

In a related development, Gary Kirsten resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach in October 2024, only six months after his appointment. His resignation was attributed to disagreements over selection authority. Both Kirsten and Gillespie reportedly had their selection powers stripped by the PCB, a move believed to have played a significant role in Kirsten’s decision to leave. Following Kirsten’s departure, Gillespie was named interim white-ball head coach for Pakistan’s tour of Australia.

 

[Rana]

Pretty sure the continuation of stupidity in the 1st Test v England where you wanted to somehow bowl England out with pace on a complete Multan road is the reason why you lost the trust of the PCB

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I agree with Gillespie on many things but not sure why he wants praise here for doing his job and going to Pakistan for a meeting.

Naqvi has every right to join via Zoom if he wants. The chairman really isn't needed in this connection camp. It sounds like it was a way for players and coach to connect to enhance on field performance. He should be grateful the chairman even dialled in tbh.

 

[Savak]

When Gillespie and Kirsten accepted the job, it was not lost on them that Naqvi was the interior minister of the country and close to the COAS and major political figures, he cannot use this as an excuse to criticize the PCB. The PCB gave him the royal treatment but losing 2-0 to Bangladesh at home where he chose not to select a single front line spinner in the first game and the trashing England gave Pakistan in the first test, clearly the PCB felt he was out of his depth and didn't know what he was doing.

However, the PCB should still have managed the relationship better and atleast seen out the contract respectfully. They probably wanted Gillespie to resign rather than having to fire him themselves which ultimately Gillespie did

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Gillespie Criticizes PCB Chairman's Absence from "Connection Camp"

Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has expressed his disappointment regarding Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's absence from a crucial team-building session, dubbed the "Connection Camp."

Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Gillespie recounted the significant effort he and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten made to attend the camp, an initiative spearheaded by Kirsten. However, they observed a notable lack of engagement from the top PCB official.

"Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom," said Gillespie.

"He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here — that was a bit unusual." he added.

The PCB organized the camp on September 23, 2024, with the goal of enhancing communication, collaboration, and performance within the national team. The session included eight senior players: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer described the camp as a timely initiative given the busy cricketing calendar, emphasizing its primary objective of developing a unified vision and mission for the national team.

Coach Departures and Frustrations

It's worth noting that Gillespie, the former Australian pacer, resigned as the national team’s Test coach just days before last year's South Africa Test series. He cited the PCB's decision to sack high-performance coach Tim Nielsen as a major factor in his departure.

"I was completely and utterly blindsided by a decision to not have a high-performance coach," Gillespie said.
"I just thought after a number of other things that had gone on in the previous few months, that was probably the moment where I thought, 'Well, I'm not really sure if they actually really want me to do this job or not.'"

Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, also shared his frustrations about his limited role and communication breakdowns during his tenure.

"I felt I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game," he added.
"You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, with selectors, for instance, knowing what the team is as head coach well before the game, or before at least the day before the game."

In a related development, Gary Kirsten resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach in October 2024, only six months after his appointment. His resignation was attributed to disagreements over selection authority. Both Kirsten and Gillespie reportedly had their selection powers stripped by the PCB, a move believed to have played a significant role in Kirsten’s decision to leave. Following Kirsten’s departure, Gillespie was named interim white-ball head coach for Pakistan’s tour of Australia.

What was he expecting?

Show up in Pakistan just twice in a year.

Hopefully Hesson spends more time in the country.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I can't believe people are actually defending that idiot Naqvi. Gillespie and Kirsten had every right to be angry. If you were so busy between being the PCB Chairman, the Interior Minister and the mouth organ for your father the Field Marshall, then maybe you shouldn't have taken so many key positions?

This clown is basically living out his childhood history at the expense of the future of our cricket. Certain genius posters will criticize everyone from the captains to the coaches and chief-selectors, but not the idiot appointing and firing them at the drop of a dime.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What was he expecting?

Show up in Pakistan just twice in a year.

Hopefully Hesson spends more time in the country.

I'm a Pakistani and I don't want to live here. What makes you think that foreigners want to live here any more than they have to? Either don't appoint a foreign coach, and if you do, don't expect them to bow at your will.

Hesson will not be here most of the time. That's one of the reasons he took a white-ball only contract.

 

[Ball Blazer]

What was he expecting?

Show up in Pakistan just twice in a year.

Hopefully Hesson spends more time in the country.

Everybody knows how well PCB looked after foreign coaches despite the contracts... Jason is right here.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I can't believe people are actually defending that idiot Naqvi. Gillespie and Kirsten had every right to be angry. If you were so busy between being the PCB Chairman, the Interior Minister and the mouth organ for your father the Field Marshall, then maybe you shouldn't have taken so many key positions?

This clown is basically living out his childhood history at the expense of the future of our cricket. Certain genius posters will criticize everyone from the captains to the coaches and chief-selectors, but not the idiot appointing and firing them at the drop of a dime.

childhood dream*