Pakistan’s Former Coach Backs Jason Gillespie’s Claims Against PCB

Jason Gillespie’s public criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found an ally in former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur. Already under fire after a disastrous ICC Champions Trophy campaign, Pakistan cricket now faces further scrutiny as Arthur takes aim at the sport’s governance in the country. The former head coach has strongly criticized a system he believes repeatedly undermines progress, particularly in the handling of coaching appointments.

Mikckey Arthur’s remarks come after a heated exchange involving Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler who resigned as Pakistan’s Test coach in less than a year. Gillespie publicly lashed out at his successor, Aaqib Javed, calling him a “clown” and accusing him of working against both him and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten.

Arthur, who led Pakistan to significant success between 2016 and 2019, was not as blunt as Gillespie but shared his concerns about the instability within the coaching structure and the role of media-driven agendas in damaging the team’s development.

“They had some really good coaches who could take them forward. But then there’s that machine in Pakistan cricket that constantly undermines progress, with media agendas playing a big role,” Arthur told talkSport.

The South African extended his sympathy to both Kirsten and Gillespie, arguing that they were not given a fair shot at their roles.

“It’s a jungle out there, and I feel desperately sorry for Gary and Jason. There’s no doubt in my mind they were undermined. Ultimately, it hurts the players and damages Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Mickey Arthur also echoed Jason Gillespie’s frustration, acknowledging the deep-rooted issues holding Pakistan cricket back.

“I absolutely love this quote, to be brutally honest. Jason Gillespie is a fantastic coach and a great man. But Pakistan cricket keeps shooting itself in the foot—it is its own worst enemy,” Arthur remarked.

“There are so many talented players, they have the resources, and yet it remains chaotic. It’s really disappointing to watch. When they appointed Gillespie and Kirsten, I thought they were finally heading in the right direction. But in the end, it’s always the players who suffer.”

The PCB brought in Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie in April 2024 after missing out on Mickey Arthur in an effort to bring stability to the coaching setup, but both departed abruptly, adding to the ongoing turbulence surrounding the team.

With a growing list of former coaches calling out the PCB for its handling of issues, the board would be wise to correct its course before its next move, ensuring Pakistan cricket gets back on track.