PAK vs ENG: 'I wasn't upset with surface here', Jason Gillespie defends Multan pitch

Jason Gillespie, the head coach of the Pakistan Test team, has urged fans and critics to exercise patience as the management team, including himself, navigates their early days in charge.

“Please understand that this management, myself included, this is our 3rd Test. It’s very early for us in this space. We’ve looked at past performances and we’re looking at performances right now. Sometimes players are better players when they aren’t in the team," Gillespie said.

He acknowledged the public's demand for change, saying, “Everyone is crying out for change. I understand that; people want to see results and performances.” 

Gillespie highlighted the importance of finding in-game solutions rather than only reflecting on missed opportunities after the match. 

"We’ve got some very fine players in the dressing room. Skill levels aren’t the issue. We just need to make sure we’re in the game and adjusting and adapting in-game, finding solutions there,” he explained.

Regarding the pitch conditions in Multan, Gillespie expressed satisfaction with the surface. He pointed out that expectations were met when the team posted a formidable score of 550 runs in their first innings. Gillespie indicated that the criticism of the pitch arose only after the bowling performance did not align with their plans. 

“I wasn’t upset with the surface here. It’s pretty much what we expected and what we thought was going to be the best opportunity to play well in the game. If you look at our first innings, we put up a score of 550 and that part was fine. No one was saying anything about the surface then. It was only when we didn’t get our plans right and execute our skills with the ball that everyone started to talk about the surface," he concluded.