Pakistan cricket: Gillespie quits ahead of South Africa tour; Aqib is raised | Cricket news

Pakistan have appointed Aqib Javed as their interim Test coach following the resignation of Australia’s Jason Gillespie.

Former fast bowler Aqib Javed has been named Pakistan’s interim Test coach after Jason Gillespie resigned on Thursday evening, the country’s cricket board (PCB) said.

Aqib, who was appointed as Pakistan’s interim white-ball coach last month, will also take on the red-ball coaching duties.

Australian Gillespie was signed by the PCB on a two-year deal in April alongside Gary Kirsten, who stepped down as limited overs coach in October.

“Aqib’s first assignment as the red-ball coach will be a two-match series against South Africa in the ongoing tour,” PCB said in a statement.

Gillespie resigned from his position after refusing to join the team on its tour of South Africa due to disagreements with the country’s cricket board.

Kirsten resigned for the same reasons.

The former Yorkshire and Sussex coach told Al Jazeera shortly after his appointment that showing faith in the players is the change he wants to bring to Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan is preparing for a Test and white-ball cricket tour in South Africa

Pakistan are in South Africa playing a three-match Twenty20 international series followed by three one-day matches, before the first Test starts in Centurion on December 26, and the second in Cape Town on January 3.

Gillespie was dropped from the selection panel in October following Pakistan’s innings defeat in the first Test against England, a result which followed September’s 2-0 whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh.

Pakistan went on to win the next two Tests against England, taking the series 2-1, on very fast pitches.

Gillespie didn’t hide his feelings, saying he was devastated. “I think there’s always frustration at times,” said the former salesman, in an interview with Sky Sports during England’s second test.

“It’s not what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest.”

After the England series, Gillespie served as white-ball coach on Pakistan’s tour of Australia but was not given the job for the Zimbabwe series.

Gillespie was reportedly unhappy after his assistant Tim Nielsen’s contract was not renewed by the PCB.

Pakistan has a history of sacking coaches in the past. They have had six different coaches in all categories in the last four years.