Pakistan’s red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has warned former players for making undue criticism about the national team, urging them to weigh their words carefully before making public statements that might harm the morale of current players.
Gillespie, speaking to a sports broadcaster, highlighted how remarks made by ex-players on TV or YouTube channels carry significant influence on the national team’s psyche.
“I’m very protective of players and very protective of staff I work with and just want to make sure that the environment that we’re trying to create is a safe space for everyone and if that gets eroded then that can lead to a bit of frustration,” Gillespie said.
He explained that today’s players are closer than ever to what is said about them due to the preponderance of social media users.
“A lot of former players have their own space on social media – YouTube, whatever, and they’re paid to have an opinion. One thing that I have noticed here is that the players notice everything and if they get some positive feedback from former players they idolized as kids, that goes a long way when they get some positive reinforcement. But it can have the opposite effect too if there’s a lot of criticism by those former players,” he said.
It is now an ongoing trend in Pakistan for former Pakistani cricketers and journalists to cavil about the team on social media without any repercussions. Hours and hours of content are uploaded every day related to the Pakistan cricket team with the creators making bank in the process.
Jason Gillespie will be hoping his side can regain their focus in time to take out England in the third test for what will be his first series win since taking over the head coaching duties.