Pakistan coach advocates for new blood to replace aging Sarfaraz Ahmed

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Pakistan's red-ball team coach, Jason Gillespie, has hinted at potential changes in the squad as the team prepares for future challenges.

While speaking during commentary at the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, Gillespie acknowledged the need to bring in fresh blood to replace aging players like Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"Sarfaraz has always been a wonderful servant, leading the team very well. However, we know Sarfaraz is not getting any younger, and at some point, we need to start exploring and offering opportunities to other players," Gillespie said.

Gillespie defended the squad after the recent loss to Bangladesh, stating that one bad series doesn't define a player's ability. He highlighted the need for consistency and fitness, indicating that changes may be necessary if performances don't improve.

“We do not want to make any hasty decisions after one bad series. All these players are skilled; no one loses their ability overnight. A couple of poor series cannot define their potential,” Gillespie said.

“We haven’t made too many changes to the squad for the upcoming England series compared to the Bangladesh series, and the fitness issues are manageable,” he added.

The former Australian legend also revealed that he has discussed player workload management with Gary Kirsten, aiming to balance the demands of multi-format cricket. He highlighted the need for a squad mindset rather than relying solely on a starting XI.

With a busy season ahead, including the England series, the 49-year-old mentioned that some players have been rested to manage their workload. He expressed optimism about the emergence of young talent, particularly in the spin department, and emphasized the importance of providing them with international experience.

He also expressed optimism about the emergence of young players in the spin department, stating, “We will provide young performers with the experience of foreign tours alongside Shaheen. The players have shared a lot of positive thoughts during the connection camp.”

Gillespie also praised Shan Masood's leadership, acknowledging his challenges as captain but expressing confidence in his abilities. He emphasized the alignment between his own vision and Masood's for Pakistan cricket.

“Shan faced challenges after becoming captain; his start was not great, but his leadership has impressed me. Both my and Shan Masood’s vision for Pakistan cricket are aligned,” he said.

Jason concluded with a personal note about star bowler Shaheen Afridi, expressing his hopes for the player to prioritize family time. “I had hoped that Shaheen would skip the first Test to spend time with his family because, in my view, family should always come first,” he concluded.