Pakistan’s red-ball coach Jason Gillespie has called for fresh talent to replace ageing veterans like Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national squad.
During a commentary session at the Champions One-Day Cup, Jason Gillespie praised Sarfaraz Ahmed for his contributions to Pakistan cricket, acknowledging his leadership and dedication. “Sarfaraz has been a wonderful servant and has captained the country very well,” Gillespie remarked. However, he noted the inevitable passage of time, adding, “We know Saifi isn’t getting any younger. At some point, we’re going to need to start exploring and offering opportunities to some other players.”
He emphasized the need to bolster the spin bowling department. “We want to create depth in all disciplines. The domestic structure and the Shaheens will help with that,” he stated.
While defending the current squad, Gillespie cautioned against making rash decisions based on a single series. “We don’t want to make hasty decisions after one bad series. All these players are skilled; a few poor performances cannot take away their potential,” he asserted, advocating for a balanced approach to team selection.
Looking ahead to the upcoming series against England, Gillespie mentioned that only minimal changes to the squad are anticipated.
However, fans have pointed out that his comments contradict the recently announced 15-man squad for the England Test series as it includes Sarfaraz Ahmed.
As Pakistan gears up for a busy cricketing calendar, Gillespie expressed optimism about the potential of young talent, particularly in the spin department.
He suggested that younger players would benefit from the experience of touring alongside established stars like Shaheen Afridi, gaining invaluable exposure and learning opportunities.