Mickey Arthur backs Jason Gillespie in Pakistan coaching dispute

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has commented on the ongoing coaching debate, backing Jason Gillespie after Aqib Javed’s remarks on the team’s coaching setup.  

The controversy started when Pakistan’s current head coach Aqib Javed criticized the instability in the team’s coaching structure during a press conference. He pointed out the frequent changes in coaching staff and selectors, saying:  

"We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years. If you apply that formula to any team in the world, they would face similar instability. Until there is consistency from the top down, progress will remain elusive."  

Gillespie, the former red-ball coach, responded strongly. In a social media post, he accused Javed of trying to secure a coaching role across all formats and called him a "clown."  

"This is hilarious. Aqib was clearly undermining Gary [Kirsten] and me behind the scenes, campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown," Gillespie wrote.  

Arthur later weighed in on the matter, supporting Gillespie.  

"I love this quote, to be brutally honest. Jason Gillespie is a wonderful coach, a wonderful man. Pakistan cricket just continues to shoot itself in the foot. It is its own worst enemy. There are so many good players; they’ve got the resources now; there's so much young talent," Arthur said.  

He expressed disappointment over the situation, saying that despite having skilled players and experienced coaches, Pakistan cricket remains chaotic.  

"I thought when they signed Gillespie and Kirsten, they had gone down exactly the right route, and they had some really good players. Because ultimately, it’s the players who lose out," he added.  

Arthur also blamed internal politics for creating problems.  

"They had some really good coaches who could take them forward. But then, the usual machine that operates in Pakistan cricket kicked in—agendas were pushed, and media narratives were manipulated," he said.  

"It's a jungle out there, and I feel desperately sorry for Gary and Jason. There's no doubt they were undermined, and ultimately, it’s the players—and Pakistan cricket as a whole—who suffer," Arthur concluded.