LAHORE: Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has refused to travel to South Africa ahead of the national team’s two-match Test series, sources claimed on Thursday.
According to the details, Gillespie, who was due to reach South Africa yesterday, decided otherwise after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to renew the contract of red-ball assistant coach Tim Nielsen.
However, the former Australian pacer cited personal reasons to the board over his refusal to travel to South Africa.
Notably, Gillespie was scheduled to supervise Pakistan’s exclusive red-ball training camp in South Africa, aimed at acclimatizing the Test players to the playing conditions in the African country.
However, his refusal has left a void in Pakistan’s red-ball coaching set-up but the sources close to the development suggested that interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed is being considered to succeed Gillespie for the role.
Gillespie’s unease with the PCB stems from recent administrative changes. In October, he was removed from the Test side's selection panel, with his role reduced to a "match-day strategist."
Since the conclusion of Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, where he briefly served as interim coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation, communication between the board and the former Australian cricketer has reportedly been minimal.
Adding to Gillespie's frustration is his belief in Nielsen's strong rapport with the players, who was denied contract extension, aligned with PCB’s broader trend of prioritizing locally-based coaching staff.
The board previously expressed dissatisfaction with overseas coaches' limited time spent in Pakistan – a criticism that also preceded Kirsten’s resignation in October.
However, Jason Gillespie consistently defended his adherence to contractual obligations concerning his presence in Pakistan.
His current deal runs until mid-2026, and his departure — whether through resignation or dismissal — could have significant financial implications for the PCB.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.
