Entire nation humiliated as Aussie cricket legend quits

The damning international reaction to an Australian cricket legend’s farcical resignation has left an entire nation red faced.

The damning international face palm reaction to cricket great Jason Gillespie’s resignation has left Pakistan humiliated.

The former Aussie fast bowler was given the job just eight months ago as Pakistan cricket continues to stumble from one crisis to the next.

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The former South Australian coach on Thursday sensationally refused to join the squad on their tour of South Africa over disagreements with the country’s cricket board.

Gillespie still had more than one year to run on his contract after he was appointed the team’s red ball coach in April.

Former South Africa opening batsman Gary Kirsten was supposed to be his partner as white-ball coach.

Kirsten resigned in October for similar reasons.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed Gillespie’s resignation on Friday morning.

“The PCB has named former Pakistan paceman Aaqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach following the resignation of Gillespie,” a PCB statement said.

Aaqib, who also replaced Kirsten as interim white-ball coach, will now oversee the two-Test series in South Africa, starting in Centurion from December 26.

The second Test will be played in Cape Town from January 3-7. Pakistan’s white-ball squad is currently in South Africa for a three-match T20 series and three one-day internationals.

Jason Gillespie deserved better. Photo by Kelly Barnes/Getty Images.

Gillespie was removed from the selection panel following Pakistan’s 2-0 whitewash at the hands on Bangladesh in September and losing the first Test by an innings against England a month later.

Pakistan won the next two Tests against England, taking the series 2-1, on sharply spinning pitches.

Gillespie did not hide his sentiments, saying he was frustrated. “I think there’s always frustrations from time to time,” Gillespie said, in an interview with Sky Sports during the second England Test.

“It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest.”

After the England series, the 49-year-old served as white-ball coach on Pakistan’s tour of Australia but was not given the job for the series in Zimbabwe.

Gillespie was reportedly not happy after the contract of his assistant Tim Nielsen was not renewed by the PCB.

It has been turbulent times for Pakistan cricket with the team going through eight coaches since November, 2022.

The reaction from Pakistan cricket commentators has been scathing.

One commentator pointed the blame at Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi — chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board since February, 2024.

One posted on X: “Thank you Mohsin Naqvi & Clowns”.

Other fans wanted pressure to be put on Naqvi, posting: “The circus of PCB, run by Mohsin Naqvi & Co — it never fails to surprise. Clowns”.

Cricket journalist Basit Subhani wrote: “Embarrassing moment for Pakistan cricket.

“International coaches won’t take their Pakistan assignment easily now.

“Gary and now Gillespie, both former great cricketers and accomplished coaches. Big loss for Pakistan cricket.

“Jason Gillespie should have been persuaded to coach the test team for at least another year!Congratulations to Aqib Javed though.”

He went on to post: “This is absolutely shameful”.

Cricket writer Saj Sadiq posted: “Pakistan Cricket Board’s treatment of highly respected Head Coach Jason Gillespie has been disrespectful & unprofessional.

Jason Gillespie with Pakistan. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

“Underhand tactics & behind the scenes politics were once again at play & influential figures wanted Gillespie to resign.”

Pakistan last month strongly refuted reports Gillespie had been sacked.

It has been a period of extreme upheaval for the proud cricketing nation.

The earlier report left cricket commentators staggered with former Aussie Test coach Darren Lehmann hitting out on Twitter.

“This is unbelievable,” Lehmann, Gillespie’s former Test teammate, wrote in a post that included angry emojis.

Former Australian and Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur also posted: “This is just incredible and another very good coach under contract set to be replaced”.

Gillespie, who previously coached domestic teams in India, England and Australia, earlier admitted coaching Pakistan was his biggest assignment yet.

“It’s a completely different environment,” he told Al Jazeera in October.

“For a start, it’s a Test coaching gig as opposed to domestic cricket. I’ve coached a lot in the United Kingdom and coached a lot in Australia, I’ve done a little bit in India with the Indian Premier League and in Zimbabwe, so this is a new challenge.

“I’m doing a lot of observing and listening to try to understand and add some value in the right way.

“I was conscious of not just coming in, being brazen and saying, ‘I know everything – do this, do this and this’.

“I wanted to come in and listen, learn and get a feel for what Pakistan cricket is about. It’s been a good learning curve.”

— with AFP

Originally published as Entire nation humiliated as Aussie cricket legend quits