PAK vs ENG: "I’m all about players, not selection", Jason Gillespie clarifies role as head coach

Gillespie clarified his role moving forward and distanced himself from the selection decisions

PHOTO: PCB

Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has addressed the recent changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection process after the first Test defeat against England in Multan.

During a media conference ahead of the third and final Test, Gillespie clarified his role moving forward and distanced himself from the selection decisions.

“The PCB came in after that (first) Test match. It was decided that a new selection panel would come in, and they would be making decisions. I wasn’t involved in the decision-making. I’m now just the coach for matchday strategy, so I just keep out of things now and just focus on the players and getting them ready for cricket,” Gillespie stated.

When asked about the team composition, the former Australian legend emphasized that his priority is now the players, leaving selection matters to the newly appointed committee.

“Look, it’s not for me to talk about now. I am not a selector; I am a matchday strategist as head coach, and I’m all about the players. My focus is on them. I will let the selectors do their job, and we will just go out there and play the best cricket we can possibly play,” he said.

The PCB has recently overhauled its selection committee, introducing a new five-member panel headed by former fast bowler Aaqib Javed. The committee includes Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, and Hassan Cheema. This restructuring marks a significant shift as the captain and head coach no longer have a role in squad selection, giving full authority to the selectors in determining the playing XI.

The changes came after Pakistan’s disappointing loss in the series opener at Multan, with the new committee announcing the squads for the remaining Test matches against England, as well as for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe.

It is worth noting that both England and Pakistan have revealed their playing XI for the series decider match with the Three Lions making two changes while the home side remains unchanged.

Pakistan's Playing XI for the Third Test: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (VC), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.