Pakistan made another coaching change on Monday, appointing former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach for the white ball team.
In the past two years, Pakistan cricket has seen five coaches, three board heads, three captains, and numerous domestic competition formats, all while enduring a series of humiliating defeats. Javed will take over from Australian Jason Gillespie, who was in charge for the limited-over series that ended with Pakistan's 3-0 defeat against Australia in a Twenty20 international series in Hobart.
Gillespie, Pakistan's red-ball head coach, replaced former South African Gary Kirsten, who resigned last month due to differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB announced, "Aaqib Javed, a former international fast bowler, is appointed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025." The board also clarified that Gillespie will continue as the red-ball head coach for the upcoming two-match Test series in South Africa next month.
Javed is also part of Pakistan's senior selection committee, which has been frequently reshuffled since Mohsin Naqvi became the PCB chairman in February. A permanent head coach will be appointed after the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host in February-March, subject to India's participation. India recently cast doubt on the competition by refusing to send their team to Pakistan due to security concerns and suggested their matches be played at a neutral venue. The PCB, however, rejected the hybrid model and insisted the entire tournament should be held in Pakistan.
Javed's initial tasks will include overseeing three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (24 November - 5 December) and several white-ball matches in South Africa (10-22 December). Leading up to the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from 8-14 February.
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