Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has criticized interim head coach Aaqib Javed and the national selectors for the team’s poor performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Speaking to cricket analyst Saj Sadiq, Gillespie emphasized that Javed and the selectors should take responsibility for Pakistan’s early exit after defeats to New Zealand and India in the group stage.
Gillespie noted that Javed had sought complete control of team affairs and got what he wanted, making him accountable for the results. He also pointed fingers at the selectors for their squad choices. Reflecting on his own tenure as head coach, Gillespie mentioned feeling sidelined by behind-the-scenes politics in Pakistan cricket, which did not surprise him when Javed was appointed interim coach.
“We saw the results were not good enough. Ultimately he (Aaqib) has to bear the responsibility. He wanted complete control (of the affairs of the team) and he got it. The national selectors also have a lot of responsibility to take for the squad they picked to play in the tournament,” said Gillespie.
The former Australian pacer accused Javed of undermining both himself and Gary Kirsten, who served as Pakistan’s white-ball coach. Gillespie stated that Javed’s ambitions to become head coach across all formats were evident, adding that the former fast bowler had campaigned for greater authority.
“In my opinion it (Aaqib’s appointment) was always on the cards that this was going to happen. You can read into it as you want,” he added.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had hired Gillespie and Kirsten on two-year contracts, but both resigned within months due to strained relations with PCB officials and a lack of decision-making power. Their departures followed the appointment of a new selection committee led by Javed alongside Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aleem Dar, and Hasan Cheema. This committee was formed after Pakistan’s 0-2 home series loss to Bangladesh in the World Test Championship.
Javed has defended himself by pointing to frequent changes in team management as a major factor in Pakistan’s struggles. At a press conference, he highlighted that Pakistan had cycled through 16 coaches and 26 selectors in two years, arguing that such instability would hinder any team’s progress. Despite these challenges, Javed remains interim head coach ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming tour of New Zealand starting March 16.