In a major shakeup in Pakistan’s cricketing ranks, former fast bowler Aaqib Javed is set to take over as head coach of the national team across all formats, replacing Jason Gillespie. The decision, expected to be announced as early as Monday, will end a tumultuous tenure for the Australian coach, who has been in charge of the Test side since early 2024 and was also appointed interim head coach of the white-ball team.
The move marks the latest chapter in a period of high turnover for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has seen a revolving door of coaching staff in recent months. Gillespie’s departure, if confirmed, will close a brief yet eventful era that saw both highs and lows for Pakistan cricket.
Gillespie’s Short-Lived Tenure
Gillespie’s time as head coach has been a rollercoaster ride. His appointment as Test coach was overshadowed by a home defeat to Bangladesh, but the team bounced back impressively under his leadership with a historic 2-1 series win over England. More recently, he oversaw Pakistan’s landmark ODI series victory in Australia, their first in 22 years, with a stunning turnaround after losing the opening match.
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However, despite these successes, the PCB’s relationship with Gillespie appears to have soured. The Australian coach was offered an expanded role that would include overseeing the white-ball side alongside his Test duties but without a corresponding pay increase. Gillespie, reportedly unhappy with the terms of the offer, declined, leading to the PCB’s decision to part ways with him. Sources suggest that the PCB felt his relatively limited time spent in Pakistan, combined with the pressures of managing multiple formats, was a key factor in the decision to move on.
Aaqib Javed’s Swift Rise
Enter Aaqib Javed, who has seen his career trajectory skyrocket in recent months. Once the long-time coach of Lahore Qalandars, Javed led the team to back-to-back Pakistan Super League (PSL) titles, solidifying his reputation as one of the country’s most promising coaching talents. However, his tenure was not without its challenges, as the team also finished at the bottom of the table on multiple occasions.
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Javed’s appointment as convenor of the men’s cricket selection committee earlier this year marked the beginning of his rapid ascent within the PCB ranks. His strategic nous was particularly evident in Pakistan’s recent success against England, where his spin-friendly pitch designs were credited with turning the tide in Pakistan’s favor during their Test series win.
Although Javed had been widely tipped for a role at the National Cricket Academy, he resigned from his post with Lahore Qalandars to focus on his work with the PCB. Now, he is poised to take the helm of the national team in a pivotal phase of the cricket calendar, with a packed schedule leading up to the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The Road Ahead for Pakistan Cricket
Javed’s appointment is expected to be until the conclusion of the 2025 Champions Trophy, after which the PCB will reassess the situation. His first challenge will be to oversee a packed international calendar, beginning with a tour of Zimbabwe, followed by a high-profile series in South Africa. Pakistan’s home season will kick off in January with a two-Test series against the West Indies, before the team embarks on a tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand in February. These fixtures will provide Javed with a stern test as he prepares the team for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
For Javed, the role of head coach is a major leap from his previous positions with domestic and franchise teams. His time as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach earlier this year has further polished his credentials, but it is his work with the Qalandars and his influence within the PCB’s selection circles that has made him the board’s preferred choice.
A Changing Landscape
Gillespie’s departure would signal the end of a remarkable year for the PCB, which has undergone several coaching changes since last November. The departure of team director Mickey Arthur, followed by the exit of Grant Bradburn and the resignation of Gary Kirsten, set the stage for the appointment of Gillespie and Kirsten earlier this year. However, Kirsten’s resignation after just a few months, without coaching Pakistan in a single ODI, highlighted the volatility of the coaching setup. Gillespie, despite leading Pakistan to an impressive ODI series win in Australia, will follow Kirsten out the door.
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For the PCB, this swift turnover underscores the challenges they face in building a stable, long-term coaching structure. The arrival of Aaqib Javed marks another chapter in this ongoing search for stability, with hopes that his deep understanding of Pakistani cricket, combined with his recent successes, will bring much-needed consistency to the national side.
As Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes remain in flux, Javed’s leadership will be under the microscope as he attempts to steer the team towards glory in the upcoming Champions Trophy and beyond. The future of Pakistan cricket is once again in the hands of a coach who is no stranger to the challenges and complexities of the game — but this time, the stakes are higher than ever.
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Key Dates:
- Zimbabwe Tour: December 2024
- South Africa Tour: January 2025
- Test Series vs. West Indies: End of January 2025
- Tri-Series (Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand): February 2025
- Champions Trophy: February 19, 2025