Cricket

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood's frustration boiled over in the dressing room during the third day of the first Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh. A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows Masood engaged in an animated discussion with head coach Jason Gillespie, a legendary Australian pacer.While the exact reason for Masood's anger is unclear, fans have speculated that it may have been related to Babar Azam's dropped catch on the fourth day of the match. However, the video of Masood's outburst is from the third day, indicating that the two incidents are unrelated.On the fourth day, Azam dropped an easy chance at leg slip off the bowling of Agha Salman, giving Mushfiqur Rahim a reprieve. Rahim went on to score a brilliant 191, giving Bangladesh an outside chance of a maiden victory over Pakistan.The dropped catch has raised questions about Azam's form and focus, as he has struggled with the bat in recent matches. Masood's outburst, meanwhile, highlights the pressure and frustration that the Pakistan team is facing in this crucial Test match.Pakistan, who have lost 12 of their 13 Tests against Bangladesh, are trailing by 94 runs after Bangladesh posted a first-innings total of 565. The home team will need to bat well in their second innings to avoid defeat and level the series.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in Jason Gillespie's ability to succeed as the red-ball coach of the Pakistan men's team. Gillespie, a former Australian pacer, was appointed to the role in April 2024.Ponting, who played alongside Gillespie for Australia, praised his former teammate's analytical mind and quiet demeanor. He compared Gillespie to current Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir, noting their successful coaching records."Jason Gillespie is a bit like Gambhir. Pretty much everywhere he has been, his coaching record has been very very good," Ponting said. "He will have some challenges, I got no doubt about it. But he is a deep thinker and as I said, a quiet person that goes about it in his own way."Gillespie has a wealth of coaching experience, having led teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and various English counties. He will take charge of Pakistan's ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa in the 2024-25 season.Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Saud Shakeel has been named as the new Pakistan Test vice-captain ahead of the series. The team is currently ranked fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings and will be looking to improve their position with positive results against Bangladesh.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has granted head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie full authority to revamp the national team's fortunes following their disappointing T20 World Cup performance.In a meeting with the coaches, Naqvi expressed his unwavering confidence in their abilities and pledged the board's unwavering support. Kirsten, the white-ball coach, candidly shared his concerns about the team's performance at the World Cup.Both coaches emphasized the need for stringent fitness standards as a prerequisite for team selection. Naqvi empowered them to make any necessary changes to improve the team's performance, without compromising on player selection or fitness.Kirsten had previously warned senior players to adapt to new skills and enhance their game awareness or risk being left behind. Senior team manager Wahab Riaz's report to Naqvi highlighted personality clashes within the team during the World Cup.Naqvi granted both coaches carte blanche to implement their plans for both red-ball and white-ball formats. Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood also attended the meeting.Kirsten stressed the need to rebuild combinations and change the mindset of players in the white-ball format. He and Gillespie had agreed to become head coaches a few months before the World Cup, with Naqvi offering them long-term contracts and the assurance of ample time to implement their strategies.Kirsten, who previously worked with the Indian team, brings a wealth of experience to Pakistan. The PCB is optimistic that under his and Gillespie's guidance, the team can regain its former glory.

Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler, has taken charge as Pakistan's red-ball coach with a hectic six-month schedule ahead. Gillespie's two-year tenure begins with a two-match series against Bangladesh in August, followed by three Tests against England in October, both at home. Pakistan will then tour South Africa for two Tests in December before hosting the West Indies for two Tests in January 2024.Gillespie, who arrived in Pakistan on Sunday, acknowledged the team's talent but emphasized the need for consistency. "How can they be more consistent is one thing that I am hoping I can find some solutions for," he said. Pakistan currently ranks fifth in the World Test Championship cycle, and Gillespie aims to improve their position."Ultimately we want to win games of Test cricket," Gillespie stated. "There are skillful cricketers here, how can we play as a team and perform well against good quality international oppositions and that's going to be the key for us."Gillespie, who played 71 Tests for Australia, has a successful coaching record, having led Yorkshire to two English County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015. He was hired to improve Pakistan's Test side, which suffered a 1-0 loss to Australia in 2022 and a 3-0 home whitewash against England the same year.Gillespie believes Pakistan's recent struggles were not due to a lack of skill. "As an observer from outside, I think there were some moments in games where Pakistan were on top but could not finish well," he said. He highlighted the need for smart tactics to counter England's aggressive style of play, known as "Bazball."Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh begins in Rawalpindi on August 21-25, followed by a second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. They will face England in three Tests starting in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (Oct 15-19), and Rawalpindi (October 24-28).

Jason Gillespie, the newly appointed Test coach of Pakistan, will lead the Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A) on a tour to Darwin, Australia, next month. The tour will feature two four-day matches against Bangladesh A, as well as participation in the Top End T20 series.Gillespie, who recently resigned as coach of South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach Pakistan's Test side. "It's an honour," he said. "I've been coaching for quite a while now in various roles around the world, but one thing I haven't done is coach an international Test side. When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it."The Shaheens will play two four-day games against Bangladesh A from July 19-22 and 26-29. Gillespie will serve as head coach for these matches before returning to Pakistan to prepare for a two-Test series against Bangladesh.During the tour, the Shaheens will also play 50-over matches against Northern Territory and Bangladesh A. They will then participate in the Top End T20 series, which will feature nine teams, including Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, and Tasmania.The PCB has announced a Shaheens' squad for the tour, which includes fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who made his Test debut against Australia in Perth last year.The Top End T20 series will provide pre-season opportunities for Australian domestic cricketers who are not involved in overseas competitions. "The competition adds another layer to what our pre-season would typically be, exposing players to tournament conditions ahead of the Australian domestic season," said Kade Harvey, Perth Scorchers' general manager.The PCB expressed gratitude to Northern Territory for inviting the Pakistan Shaheens for the second consecutive year. "Last year, the players had a memorable experience and enjoyed playing and performing in excellent playing conditions, in front of enthusiastic cricket fans," said Usman Wahla, PCB director of international cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent appointment of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as head coaches for the white-ball and red-ball teams, respectively, has sparked debate within the cricket fraternity. The timing of the appointments, just days before the ICC T20 World Cup, has raised concerns among experts.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif expressed his apprehension over the late appointments. He highlighted the importance of stability and continuity in the lead-up to major tournaments. Latif emphasized that the timing of the appointments could put undue pressure on both Kirsten and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.Despite his concerns, Latif acknowledged the experience and impressive records of both Kirsten and Gillespie. However, he stressed the need for earlier appointments to allow the coaches and players to build a strong working relationship.The PCB's announcement of an 18-player squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England also drew attention. The squad will be reduced to 15 players for the World Cup after the first T20I at Leeds on May 22.The selection committee recalled fast bowler Haris Rauf and all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha to the squad. Wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan were dropped from the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand.The Pakistan team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7 for a three-day training camp before the start of the T20I series. The team will be looking to build momentum and finalize their preparations for the World Cup.

Pakistan's newly appointed Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, emphasizes the importance of authenticity and consistency for the team's success. Gillespie believes that the players should embrace their natural style of play and avoid altering it to fit a specific method. He encourages them to maintain a positive and aggressive approach, even during the challenging grind of Test cricket.Gillespie acknowledges the talent within the Pakistani squad but stresses the need for improved consistency. He aims to provide clarity and communication to the team, fostering a strong bond and a shared understanding of how to approach Test cricket.The former Australian pace bowler highlights the team's strengths, including skilled batsmen and fast bowlers who can swing the ball. He also recognizes the potential of the spinners. Gillespie believes that by harnessing these resources effectively, Pakistan can achieve success.Gillespie's role as a selector will allow him to play a more active role in shaping the team's future. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and open communication in the selection process.Gillespie's ultimate goal is to help Pakistan become a formidable force in Test cricket. He believes that by instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility in the players, the team can achieve its full potential.

Pakistan Appoints Jason Gillespie as Test Coach, Gary Kirsten as White-Ball CoachPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as the new Test coach and former South African batter Gary Kirsten as the white-ball coach. Azhar Mahmood, who served as the interim assistant coach for the New Zealand series, will continue in that role across all formats.The position of head coach had been vacant since Grant Bradburn, who succeeded Saqlain Mushtaq last year, resigned in January to join Glamorgan as head coach. The PCB had considered several high-profile candidates, including Shane Watson, but he withdrew from the running.Gillespie, 52, is a highly respected figure in the cricketing world. He played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, taking 408 and 142 wickets respectively. After retiring from playing, he coached Yorkshire and Sussex in England, and most recently served as the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.Kirsten, 55, is another renowned coach. He led India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup title and South Africa to the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He has also coached the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.The appointments of Gillespie and Kirsten are seen as a significant step forward for Pakistan cricket. The team has struggled in recent years, but the new coaches are expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help them improve their performances.PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his confidence in the new coaching team. "We are delighted to welcome Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten to the Pakistan cricket family," he said. "They are both world-class coaches with a proven track record of success. We believe they will help our team reach new heights."Gillespie and Kirsten are expected to join the Pakistan team in time for their upcoming Test series against England, which begins on July 16.

Lahore, Pakistan - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce a new set of coaches for the national team by the end of this month, covering both red and white ball formats. The board has received applications from several reputed coaches, including South Africa's Gary Kirsten and Australia's Jason Gillespie.The PCB has emphasized that the appointments will be made through a due process, with all commitments being met. The last time the board followed this process was in 2019, when Misbah-ul-Haq was named head coach and chief selector. Since then, appointments have been made on a consultancy or interim basis.This time, the PCB will only invite candidates who have applied for the coaching positions. Even Kirsten and Gillespie, who have been in direct negotiations with the board, were asked to apply through the due process.The PCB has also set April 20 as the deadline for candidates interested in applying for assistant coach positions. Azhar Mahmood, who was recently named head coach for the New Zealand series on a consultancy basis, will also have to go through the process.The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has made it clear that the long-term appointments of coaches will be done through a due process. The board is expected to take time until the end of the month to reach a decision and make an announcement.