Islamabad, Dec 13: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Aqib Javed as the interim red-ball head coach following Jason Gillespie’s resignation ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa.
Gillespie resigned after the PCB decided not to renew red-ball assistant coach Tim Nielsen’s contract, which led Nielsen to opt for early retirement, according to sources. A PCB spokesperson confirmed that Aqib Javed’s first assignment will be the Test series, with matches scheduled from December 26–30 at Centurion’s SuperSport Park and January 3–7 at Newlands in Cape Town.
Currently, the Pakistan men’s team is in South Africa, competing in a T20I and ODI series. Nielsen, whose contract as high-performance red-ball coach expired after the recent Australia tour, expressed disappointment over the PCB’s decision not to retain him, despite his commitment to upcoming series against South Africa and the West Indies.
Sources indicate that Gillespie’s dissatisfaction with the PCB stems from recent administrative decisions, including his removal from the Test side’s selection panel in October and being reduced to a “match-day strategist.” Additionally, Nielsen’s dismissal, reportedly without consulting Gillespie, left him frustrated, as he valued Nielsen’s strong rapport with players.
The PCB has consistently pushed for locally based coaching staff, citing dissatisfaction with overseas coaches’ limited presence in Pakistan—a stance that also contributed to Gary Kirsten’s resignation earlier. Gillespie, however, defended his adherence to contractual obligations regarding his time in Pakistan.
While Gillespie’s contract runs until mid-2026, his departure could have financial repercussions for the PCB. The board has not yet named a replacement for Nielsen, leaving uncertainty over the coaching setup for the pivotal Test series.
