Following a historic 0-2 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has stressed the urgent need for his team to cultivate a "killer instinct" when in commanding positions. This series loss marks Pakistan's first-ever defeat against the Bengal Tigers, raising concerns about the team's performance in the longest format of the game.

In a recent podcast with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Gillespie expressed disappointment over the team's inability to maintain momentum and capitalize on advantageous situations. "We showed glimpses of quality in the Test series against Bangladesh, where we were really driving the game forward," he stated. "However, we didn’t sustain it long enough. When we allowed our opponents to get back into the game, they capitalized and pulled ahead. That’s where we let ourselves down."

The head coach highlighted specific missed opportunities, such as when Pakistan had Bangladesh at 218/5 in the first Test but failed to finish strong, and a similar scenario in the second Test where they had Bangladesh reeling at 26/6 but could only manage a slim first-innings lead. "What we need is a bit more ruthlessness. When we're ahead, we need to stay ahead and make sure we drive home that advantage," he emphasized.

With a challenging home series against England on the horizon, the former Australian legend is keen on bolstering the team’s mental fortitude. "There was some very good work done, but when we had a bad hour, it really set us back. We need to minimize those poor periods and maximize the good ones," he noted.

Despite facing scrutiny over his team selection during the Bangladesh series, Gillespie defended his choices for the upcoming matches against England. He underscored the importance of backing players and providing them with opportunities to prove themselves.

"All players are disappointed when they miss out, and I’d be surprised if they weren’t," he acknowledged. "But the players understand my philosophy regarding selection. We want to back and support them. Of course, if performances are not at the required level over a prolonged period, we may consider changes."

Gillespie's approach reflects a commitment to nurturing talent, as he continues to navigate his role as head coach, having only been involved in two Test matches thus far. "That’s not a big enough sample size to make long-term decisions on players. I'd rather show my support and backing for them at this stage," he concluded.