Gillespie says Pakistan players are ‘playing with fear’ amid team changes

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has questioned the team’s selection strategy under chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed following a series of changes during the ongoing England tour.

Pakistan replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling coach Umar Gul earlier this week, while seven players were sent home after the team suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests against England.

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024 and oversaw a 2-1 Test series victory over England, said the changes were concerning.

“I feel for the players, this is these guys’ livelihoods,” Gillespie told The Australian newspaper, adding that the players appeared to be “playing with fear”.

He questioned the decision to remove Salman Ali Agha from the squad after he captained Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley.

“Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. How does that work?” he said.

Gillespie also criticised the PCB’s selection process and said Javed needed to examine his own role in the team’s recent difficulties.

“It’s pretty clear they don’t have a selection strategy at all, particularly under Aaqib Javed,” he said.

Gillespie also rejected criticism directed at him and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, saying Javed had been chairman of selectors for the past two years.