Inside story of Jason Gillespie’s resignation as Pakistan’s red-ball coach

Sources suggest that Jason Gillespie’s surprising resignation as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach stemmed from disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over unmet demands.

Gillespie, who had been in the role for less than a year, stepped down just days before the Test series against South Africa.

The conflict reportedly began after Gillespie was removed from the selection committee, leading to dissatisfaction.

He also expressed interest in overseeing both red and white-ball formats, along with a demand for increased compensation. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to meet these salary demands.

The board also wanted Gillespie to spend more time in Pakistan, which he was unwilling to commit to.

This echoed issues faced by former white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who also resigned due to similar concerns about residing in Pakistan.

Gillespie, who was scheduled to oversee a pre-Test series camp in South Africa, submitted his resignation before departure.

In his place, the PCB appointed Aqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach.

Although rumors of Gillespie’s resignation circulated earlier, the PCB had previously dismissed them, affirming his continued commitment to the role.

Answer

Jason Gillespie resigned as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach following a series of disputes with the PCB, primarily over salary and demands related to his tenure and work commitments.

The resignation occurred shortly before a crucial Test series against South Africa. Issues included Gillespie’s removal from the selection committee, a request to oversee both red and white-ball formats, and disagreements over his compensation and time commitment in Pakistan.