Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has taken charge as Pakistan’s red-ball coach, aiming to make the team more consistent amidst a hectic six-month schedule.
The 49-year-old begins his two-year tenure with a two-match series against Bangladesh next month, followed by three matches against England in October, both at home. Pakistan will then tour South Africa for two Tests in December before hosting the West Indies for two Tests in January next year.
Upon his arrival on Sunday, Gillespie remarked on Pakistan’s potential, noting their talent but emphasizing the need for consistency. “How can they be more consistent is one thing that I am hoping I can find some solutions for,” he said during a news conference.
Gillespie aims to improve Pakistan’s current fifth position in the World Test Championship, which has featured nine teams since its inception in 2019. “Ultimately we want to win games of Test cricket,” he asserted. “There are skillful cricketers here. How can we play as a team and perform well against good quality international opposition? That’s going to be the key for us.”
A veteran of one of Australia’s best Test sides in the 1990s and 2000s, Gillespie played 71 Tests, 91 one-day internationals, and a solitary T20I in a successful career. As a coach, he led Yorkshire to English County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.
Gillespie’s appointment comes after Pakistan’s disappointing 1-0 loss to Australia in 2022 and their first-ever 3-0 home whitewash against England the same year. Pakistan also suffered a 3-0 defeat in Australia last year, their sixth series whitewash in Australia since 1999. Gillespie observed that these matches were not entirely one-sided, noting missed opportunities where Pakistan had been in strong positions but failed to capitalize.
Pakistan’s fielding, marked by crucial dropped catches in key moments, has been a noted weakness. Gillespie emphasized the need for smart strategies to counter England’s “very aggressive” playing style, known as “Bazball” after their coach Brendon McCullum. “England will be a challenge, no doubt about that. But I think we are certainly up to it,” he said. “We are going to play very smart.”
Following a first-round exit in both the ODI World Cup last year in India and the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies last month, Pakistan will begin their Test series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi from August 21-25, with the second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. They will then face England in three Tests starting in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (October 15-19), and Rawalpindi (October 24-28).
