As is customary, the realm of Pakistan cricket remains rife with entertainment. Following the team's early elimination from the Champions Trophy, the blame game ensued, with no individual spared, from the captain to the coach and the players. Criticism came from all quarters, but none was more notable than that of Jason Gillespie and his Instagram post. The former Australian fast bowler, who briefly served as the coach of the Test team before resigning within a year, labelled his successor Aaqib Javed a 'clown,' accusing him of undermining his authority.

Gillespie, alongside Gary Kirsten (the coach of the white-ball team), was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board in April 2024, yet both departed unexpectedly for reasons that remain unclear. In defence of Pakistan's winless exit from the Champions Trophy, Aaqib remarked, "We changed 16 coaches in the last two-and-a-half years and 26 selectors. If you do this to any team in the world, their performance would be the same." Gillespie retorted, "This is hilarious. Aaqib was undermining Gary and me behind the scenes, campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown."

This incident is not the first instance of a Pakistan coach facing mismanagement from the board and external influences. Mickey Arthur, who managed the team from 2016 to 2019, is well aware of this reality. Reflecting on the chaotic nature of Pakistan cricket, Arthur expressed his appreciation for Gillespie's comments, encapsulating the ongoing issues within the sport.

"I genuinely appreciate this quote. Jason Gillespie is an exceptional coach and an admirable individual. Pakistan cricket continues to hinder its progress. It is its own worst enemy. Talented players and resources are abundantly available; the young talent is remarkable, and their skills are impressive. Yet, the situation remains disorganized. It is truly disheartening to witness. I believed that the appointments of Gillespie and Kirsten signalled a positive direction, as they brought in some highly capable players. Ultimately, it is the players who matter most."

Arthur explains all that's wrong with Pakistan cricket

Arthur, like many others, believed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made a commendable decision by incorporating Kirsten, a World Cup-winning coach, and Gillespie, a two-time World Cup champion with Australia, into the coaching staff. However, the situation quickly deteriorated. Mohammad Rizwan took over the captaincy from Babar Azam, Shadab Khan became less visible, Shaheen Afridi lost his edge, and the overall performance of the Pakistan team declined significantly. Arthur emphasized that these issues are rooted in the complex politics that often occur behind the scenes.

"They had secured some exceptional coaches who could propel them forward. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in Pakistan continue to undermine progress, with agendas being pushed through the media. It is a challenging environment, and I feel immense sympathy for Gary and Jason. There is no doubt in my mind that they faced significant undermining, which ultimately harms the players and, consequently, Pakistan cricket," Arthur remarked.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma Surpasses Virat Kohli in ICC ODI Rankings, Closes in on Babar Azam as Shubman Gill Retains Top Spot

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