PCB moving away from foreign coaches, Aaqib Javed named new interim white-ball coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is probably going to choose a local head trainer for all formats in a transition to move back from foreign head coaches and focus on homegrown talent. Aaqib Javed, who is the current member of PCB selection committee, will take over as the white-ball coach of the Pakistan Men’s team on an interim basis till the end of Champions Trophy 2025. After a line of stressed connections, especially with previous lead trainer Gary Kirsten, the board seems ready to change its coaching methodology. 

If the most recent reports are exact, Jason Gillespie’s days as Pakistan’s Test team head coach may be numbered. The PCB is reportedly wanting to end his agreement early and select a nearby lead trainer to direct all formats of the national team. 

Presently, according to reports, Jason Gillespie’s agreement as the Test team’s lead trainer will end early, and the board will select another coach for every format. 

After Kirsten’s removal. Gillespie was additionally given the charge of the white-ball side and under his guidance, Pakistan crushed Australia, 2-1 in the ODI series, and interestingly beginning around 2002, they won an ODI series, Down Under. 

Read more: Gary Kirsten stresses need of international level of cricket in Champions One-Day Cup

Reports uncovered that Kirsten had been disappointed with PCB’s decision-making, and it emerged as a reminder for the board, who have now chosen to create some distance from foreign lead trainers. 

Previous Pakistan cricketers on PCB’s radar for coaching jobs 

The board is focusing on getting local coaches and will return to players who are working at the grassroots level. The choice to select a local head coach will be taken during the Pakistan visit through Zimbabwe; in any case, there is a consideration of having foreign coaches for explicit jobs (batting, bowling, and fielding). 

According to reports, Jason Gillespie wanted to affirm specific conditions in front of the PCB, but the board could have done without Gillespie’s way of behaving and has now chosen to head out in different directions from him. This will be a colossal shock to Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy, as the group will be without a white-ball coach.