The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Aqib Javed as the interim red-ball head coach for the Pakistan men’s cricket team following the resignation of Jason Gillespie.
Aqib’s first challenge as red-ball head coach will be the two-match Test series against South Africa during Pakistan’s ongoing all-format tour. The first Test is set to take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26 to 30, while the second will be hosted at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from January 3 to 7.
Currently, the Pakistan team is in South Africa participating in a three-match T20I series, which will be followed by a three-match ODI series before the Test matches commence.
The resignation of Jason Gillespie as Test coach comes amid rising tensions with the PCB, primarily over the board’s decision not to renew the contract of his assistant, Tim Nielsen. This incident adds to the PCB’s strained relations with foreign coaches, as Gillespie’s premature departure follows a similar exit by Gary Kirsten.
The PCB recently opted not to extend Tim Nielsen’s contract, who was brought in by Gillespie as the High-Performance Test Coach in August. This decision left the Test team without key staff as they prepared for the South Africa series.
Aqib Javed, a former fast bowler and an experienced coach, has been brought in to steer the team through this crucial phase.
