Aaqib Javed Poised to Take Over as Pakistan's Head Coach from Jason Gillespie

In a significant shake-up within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Aaqib Javed is anticipated to replace Jason Gillespie as the head coach across all formats. This move underlines the ongoing changes within the PCB, noted for its high turnover rate. Gillespie, who currently serves as the Test coach and interim coach for the white-ball team, is expected to be relieved of his duties imminently, with Aaqib stepping into the role.

According to sources close to ESPNcricinfo, the official announcement could come as early as Monday. This coincides with Pakistan's final white-ball match on their current tour of Australia, a T20I series that Australia has already secured with a 2-0 lead. This game could mark the conclusion of Gillespie's brief and turbulent tenure as Pakistan's head coach.

Initially, Aaqib was not the PCB's first choice for the role. The board had approached Gillespie to extend his coaching responsibilities to cover all formats until the conclusion of the Champions Trophy next March. However, the offer required him to assume additional duties without any adjustment in compensation, effectively doubling his workload without an increase in pay. Gillespie declined this offer, leading the PCB to reconsider his position with the red-ball team and instigating a search for an all-format coach.

A PCB official indicated that the decision to replace Gillespie was influenced by his limited time spent in Pakistan, an issue that had been a point of contention for the board. This situation underscores the importance the PCB places on having its coaching staff present in the country to better integrate with the team and stakeholders.

Aaqib Javed, recently appointed as the convenor of the men's cricket selection committee, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as a coach and player for Pakistan. His appointment is expected to bring stability and a fresh perspective to the team as they prepare for upcoming international challenges, including the Champions Trophy.

As the cricketing world awaits the official confirmation, this development marks a crucial juncture for Pakistan cricket, potentially setting the stage for a new era under Aaqib's leadership.