Aaqib Javed blamed for Pakistan's selection chaos as ex-Pakistan coach hits out

Ex-Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has hit out at Aaqib Javed over what he described as bizarre selection calls during the England tour, after the PCB sent seven players back home.

In Short

• Pakistan sent back seven players in the middle of the Test series in England
• Jason Gillespie questioned Aaqib Javed's role in Pakistan's selection chaos
• Pakistan lost the first two Tests of the three-match series in an abject manner

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has hit out at chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed, accusing the country's cricket setup of lacking a clear selection strategy and leaving players "playing with fear."

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024, said Javed needed to "look at himself in the mirror" following the Pakistan Cricket Board's dramatic mid-series overhaul during the England tour.

"I feel for the players; this is these guys' livelihoods. From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear," Gillespie told Code Sports.

He pointed to the treatment of Salman Ali Agha as an example of the uncertainty within the Pakistan setup. Salman captained Pakistan in the first Test against England before being dropped from the squad ahead of the third Test.

"Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to being out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. How does that work?" Gillespie said.

Gillespie was particularly critical of Javed's role in the selection process, claiming Pakistan do not have a settled strategy and frequently change their plans.

"It's pretty clear they don't have a selection strategy at all, particularly under Aaqib Javed. They change their mind like they change their pants -- daily," he said.

The former Australia fast bowler also hit back at Javed's criticism of the previous coaching regime. Javed had blamed Gillespie and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for some of the problems within the team.

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

"Somehow, he claims it is our fault. Make sense out of that. I think Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror."

Gillespie also questioned the communication between the selection committee and the players, claiming some of those sent home from England only found out through family, friends or the media.

"There is definitely no communication between Aaqib Javed, who is meant to be chairman of selectors, and the players," he said.

"The players who were sacked heard it through family and friends and the media that they had been sacked. How disrespectful is that?"

Pakistan's problems have intensified during a difficult England tour. They suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test at Headingley before England completed a 194-run victory at Lord's to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board then made sweeping changes to the touring squad and coaching staff, with seven players sent home and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul removed from their positions.

The changes have drawn criticism from several former Pakistan players and coaches, with former head coach Mickey Arthur describing the situation as "an absolutely ridiculous situation".

Mike Hesson, Pakistan's white-ball head coach, has taken charge of the Test side for the remainder of the tour, while Australian Ashley Noffke has joined as bowling coach.

Pakistan will look to avoid a 3-0 series defeat when the third and final Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.

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