Jason Gillespie tells Aaqib Javed to ‘look in the mirror’ over Pakistan selection chaos

Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie on Friday criticised chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed, saying Pakistan’s players are “playing with fear” after the team made major changes during its England Test tour.

Why did Jason Gillespie criticise Aaqib Javed?

Jason Gillespie criticised Aaqib Javed over Pakistan’s selection strategy and communication with players. He said the team lacks a clear selection plan and that decisions are changing too frequently, leaving players uncertain about their positions. Gillespie also urged Javed to “look at himself in the mirror” over the situation.

In a shock move, Pakistan replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling chief Umar Gul this week. Seven players were also sent home from England following successive heavy Test defeats.

Gillespie, who coached Pakistan for eight months in 2024, said he felt for the players and believed they were now playing under pressure and fear.

“I feel for the players, this is these guys livelihoods,” he told The Australian newspaper. “From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear.”

He questioned the decision to drop Salman Ali Agha after he captained Pakistan in the first Test against England.

“Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test,” Gillespie said.

“How does that work?”

What did Gillespie say about Pakistan’s selection strategy?

Gillespie placed the responsibility firmly on Javed, saying Pakistan does not appear to have a consistent selection strategy under his leadership.

“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.

Gillespie also responded to Javed’s recent comments blaming him and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for the team’s problems.

“Aaqib Javed came out recently and blamed (former Pakistan white-ball coach) Gary Kirsten and myself for everything that is going on,” Gillespie said.

“Aaqib Javed has been chairman of selectors for the past two years. We haven’t even been there.”

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

How has Pakistan performed in the England Test series?

Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test at Headingley, losing by an innings and 103 runs. They then lost the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.

The third and final Test of the series is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9.

Gillespie also questioned the communication between Javed and Pakistan’s players, saying some of those removed from the squad only learned about their fate through people around them and 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 they had been sacked.”

“How disrespectful is that?”

Who else has criticised Pakistan’s recent changes?

Gillespie is not the only former Pakistan coach or player to question the decisions made during the England tour. Former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have also been left bewildered by the developments.

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur described the situation as “an absolutely ridiculous situation”.

New Zealander Mike Hesson, who was already Pakistan’s white-ball chief, and Australian Ashley Noffke have taken charge for the remainder of the England tour.