PCB announces Aqib Javed as interim white-ball coach

Published November 18, 2024
Aqib Javed — Photo courtesy  PCB website
Aqib Javed — Photo courtesy PCB website

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Aqib Javed, a member of its men’s selection committee, as the interim white-ball head coach on Monday.

The development comes after the PCB refuted a media report claiming that Javed was set to replace Jason Gillespie as the head coach for all formats.

According to a press release issued by the PCB today, during his tenure, Javed will “continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee, and will be assigned additional responsibilities” after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy 2025.

It added that the PCB will “initiate the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, aiming to complete the appointment by the end of the ICC Champions Trophy”, which it said is scheduled from February 19 to March 9.

Javed is set to replace Gillespie, who was appointed to the role last month after former South Africa top-order batter Gary Kirsten’s resignation.

In April, Kirsten was appointed to lead the white-ball format, while Gillespie took charge as the Green Team’s red-ball head coach.

However, Kirsten resigned from the position last month, following which Gillespie assumed his role as well.

According to a Dawn report, Kirsten was neither consulted nor given any role in the selection of the Pakistan squad for Australia and Zimbabwe tours.

Earlier, the Press Trust of India news agency was quoted as reporting that Javed or former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq may take up the role of the national side’s white-ball head coach.

Gillespie to continue as coach for upcoming red-ball games

 Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie speaks during a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Oct 23, 2024.— Reuters/File
Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie speaks during a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Oct 23, 2024.— Reuters/File

An article published in ESPNcricinfo on Sunday said that Javed was set to replace Gillespie as the head coach for all formats.

The outlet reported that the decision was to be announced as soon as Monday after the end of Pakistan’s third and final game in their ongoing T20 series against Australia.

However, in a post on X on Sunday night, the PCB “strongly” refuted the report.

“As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa,” it stated.

The PCB has not confirmed who would lead the side beyond those two matches.

Gillespie had publically expressed his concerns over being limited to a “match-day strategist” during Pakistan’s Test series against England last month.

Opinion

Editorial

Madressah oversight
19 Dec, 2024

Madressah oversight

THE stand-off over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024 — a draft law dealing with registration of...
Kurram’s misery
19 Dec, 2024

Kurram’s misery

THE unfolding humanitarian crisis in Kurram district, particularly in Parachinar city, has reached alarming...
Hiking gas rates
19 Dec, 2024

Hiking gas rates

IMPLEMENTATION of a new Ogra recommendation to increase the gas prices by an average 8.7pc or Rs142.45 per mmBtu in...
Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...