Pakistan have again changed their coaching lineup, appointing former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as interim head coach for the white-ball team.
In the past two years Pakistan cricket has ploughed through five coaches, three board heads, three captains and numerous formats of the domestic competition, while suffering a string of humiliating defeats.
Javed will replace Australian Jason Gillespie who oversaw the limited-overs series which ended in Pakistan’s 3-0 defeat against Australia in Hobart in a T20I series.
Gillespie, Pakistan’s red-ball head coach, had replaced South African Gary Kirsten who resigned over differences with the PCB last month.
“Aaqib Javed, a former international fast bowler, is appointed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” said a PCB release.
It refuted reports Gillespie will be removed, announcing he will remain red-ball head coach for the two-match Test series in South Africa next month.
Javed is also a member of Pakistan’s senior selection committee which has been repeatedly reshuffled since Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB chairman in February.
A permanent head coach will be appointed after the Champions Trophy which Pakistan is due to host in February-March – subject to India’s participation.
India last week threw the competition into question by refusing to send their team to Pakistan on security fears and proposed their matches be played at a neutral venue.
The PCB said it will not accept a hybrid model and insisted the whole tournament should be staged in Pakistan.
Javed’s first assignment will be three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (24 November – 5 December) and as many white-ball matches in South Africa (10-22 December).
In the lead up to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from 8-14 February.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: PCB
