Pakistan Test players practice without coaches in South Africa

Pakistan's cricketers have arrived in South Africa for the upcoming Test series, but sources reveal that, following Jason Gillespie's resignation, the players are currently training in Johannesburg without a coach.  

Head Coach Aqib Javed and other coaching staff are presently working with the ODI team. Gillespie had recommended that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set up a training camp in Johannesburg for the Test series, but he resigned before his suggestion could be implemented.  

Interestingly, former Head Coach Jason Gillespie had terminated his contract with Australian radio to become the head coach of Australia's white-ball cricket team. Despite his contract with the PCB, Gillespie worked with Pakistan's team for three ODIs and three T20Is, and at his request, high-performance coach Tim Nielsen was also brought on board.  

The PCB made separate payments to Gillespie and Nielsen under their new agreements. This compensation also covered the loss resulting from the termination of Gillespie's contract.  

Sources close to the matter claim that Gillespie chose to prioritize the Pakistani team but, after the white-ball series, the PCB did not renew Nielsen’s contract, which led to Gillespie’s resignation in protest.  

The Pakistan Test squad, led by Shan Masood, departed for Johannesburg on Friday. On the same day, Gillespie refused to travel to South Africa. Now, the Test team is preparing for the first Test by practicing with a few local players, without the guidance of a coach.  

Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Aamir Jamal, Hasibullah, and Nauman Ali are practicing separately from the ODI team in South Africa. The PCB has appointed Aqib Javed as the interim head coach for the Test team.