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Jason Gillespie targets Aaqib Javed after Pakistan drop seven players

Samira Vishwas | September 5, 2026 2:24 AM CST

Ever since the end of the Lord’s Test, which saw England, led by Joe Root, win by 194, Pakistan cricket has been in the doldrums both on and off the field. Seven players of the visiting side were sent home while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were sacked. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were instructed to look after the Test team in England. Ex- Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, who also had a stint with the Men in Green as a coach, has hit out at current chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed. The 52-year-old, in his chat with Code Sports, said: “I feel for the players, and this is their livelihood. It seems they are playing with fear.”

One of the biggest talking points was the treatment meted out to Salman Ali Agha, who was sent home despite leading the side in the opening Test. “Salman goes from leading the side in the first Test to being dropped in the second. He was then put on a plane ahead of the third. How does that work?” Gillespie added.

He also took a dig at Aaqib. “There is no clear selection strategy, particularly under Aaqib Javed, and they keep changing their minds daily.”

He recalled his own experiences with the former PAK pacer: “He recently came out and blamed Gary Kirsten and me for everything that’s happening. Javed has been the chairman of selectors for a while now, and we aren’t there. It is being made to look like it is our fault. He has to look at himself in the mirror.”

Former coach blasts Aaqib Javed for disrespectful behavior

Jason Gillespie also added that the way the seven players were axed in the middle of a tour was downright disrespectful. “There was no communication between the chairman of selectors and the players. Those who were sacked heard it from their family, friends and the media. It is disrespectful.”

Aaqib recently spoke to Geo TV. ” Someone had to take action. The world is laughing at us because we can’t even compete. The message we’re sending to the recalled players is that you have to raise your game on important tours and compete, and we want to see some effort.”