“I wasn’t upset with surface here,” Jason Gillespie defends Multan pitch

Pakistan red-ball team Head Coach, Jason Gillespie has urged fans to exercise patience as the team’s management, including himself, finds its footing early in their tenure.

Addressing the media in Multan after team's humiliating defeat, Gillespie reminded everyone that this was only their third Test match in charge, emphasizing the need for time and perspective.

"Please understand, this is our third Test. We’re still very early in this process. We’ve evaluated past performances, and we’re focused on current ones. Sometimes, players are more highly regarded when they’re not part of the team," Gillespie remarked, acknowledging the growing call for changes in the squad.

He recognized the public's impatience for results, adding, "I understand that people want change. They want to see performances and results."

Addressing criticism about the pitch conditions in Multan, Gillespie expressed his satisfaction with the surface, explaining that the team achieved their expected first-innings score of 550. He noted that complaints about the pitch only surfaced when their bowling strategy faltered.

"I wasn’t upset with the pitch. It was exactly what we anticipated, and we thought it gave us the best chance to perform. We scored 550 in the first innings, and no one had issues with the pitch then. It was only when we didn’t execute our bowling plans effectively that criticism of the surface arose," Gillespie concluded.