‘Look in the mirror’, Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has launched a strong criticism of selector Aaqib Javed, saying the national team appears to be “playing with fear” amid a dramatic reshuffle following heavy Test defeats in England.

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024, said Javed should examine his own role in the team’s problems rather than blaming former coaches for the current situation.

“I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror,” Gillespie told The Australian, questioning the selection decisions that have rocked the Pakistan camp.

The Pakistan Cricket Board this week removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling coach Umar Gul, while seven players were sent home from England following successive defeats in the Test series.

Gillespie said he felt particularly sorry for the players, arguing that the uncertainty surrounding selection could be affecting their performances.

“From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear,” he said.

He also questioned the decision to drop Salman Ali Agha after the all-rounder captained Pakistan in the first Test against England, only to be removed from the squad ahead of the second and sent home before the third match.

“How does that work?” Gillespie asked.

The former Australian cricketer was particularly critical of what he described as an absence of a consistent selection policy.

“It’s pretty clear they don’t have a selection strategy at all, particularly under Aaqib Javed,” Gillespie said, adding that decisions appeared to change rapidly.

Gillespie also hit back at claims that he and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten were responsible for the team’s problems.

“Aaqib Javed came out recently and blamed Gary Kirsten and myself for everything that is going on,” he said. “Aaqib has been chairman of selectors for the past two years. We haven’t even been there.”

Pakistan’s crisis deepened after they suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat against England at Headingley before losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs.

Gillespie further alleged that communication between selectors and players had broken down. He said some players learned about their removal from the squad through family members and media reports rather than directly from team officials.

“How disrespectful is that?” he said.

Gillespie’s comments add to growing criticism from former Pakistan figures, with ex-captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik also expressing concern. Former coach Mickey Arthur described the situation as “an absolutely ridiculous situation.”

With the third Test scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9, Mike Hesson and Australian Ashley Noffke have taken charge for the remainder of Pakistan’s England tour.

For Pakistan, the immediate challenge is not only to recover on the field but also to restore confidence and stability inside a team facing intense scrutiny.