"He made it clear..." - Jason Gillespie reveals how Aaqib Javed plotted his sacking 'behind the scenes'

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team coach Jason Gillespie talked about how Aaqib Javed wanted the coaching of the team in all three formats. He said that the current coach of the team planned things behind the scenes, and he wasn't surprised when he was appointed as the interim coach.

Things are turning from bad to worse between Jason Gillespie and Pakistan National Cricket Team head coach Aaqib Javed. The former Australia Cricketer, who served as red-ball coach, has been launching open attacks on the 1992 World Cup winner, saying that he played a massive role behind his sacking as a head coach.

Jason Gillespie called Aaqib Javed a clown

Jason Gillespie, who was appointed as the red-ball coach of the Pakistan National Cricket Team after the T20 World Cup 2024, was sacked midway in his contract. In his place, Aaqib Javed was appointed as interim coach and now has taken over the coaching of the team in all three formats.

Gillespie first blamed Aaqib Javed when the current head coach said that constant changes in the team management have been the main reason behind the side's poor performances. He called Javed clown, saying that he did a conspiracy against him and Gary Kirsten.

Also read: Jason Gillespie EXPOSES 'Clown' Aaqib Javed’s dirty politics against him and Gary Kirsten

I always felt that things were going on behind the scenes that I certainly wasn't aware of - Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie, however, has opened up about the same, saying that he always felt that things were going on behind the scenes. He stressed that Aaqib Javed being named as the coach of the team was always on the cards. Speaking in a video posted on X, he said:

"He certainly has to take responsibility. He made it clear he wanted to be the chief selector and he made it clear how he wanted the team to go about their work. And that's fine. That's his role. But ultimately, when he took on the job, as you mentioned, I don't know what exact conversations were going on behind the scenes, but I always felt that things were going on behind the scenes that I certainly wasn't aware of.

"And it didn't surprise me when he was announced as interim coach that that was, that was all, in my opinion, that was always on the cards. It was always, I always felt that was going to happen. Read into that how you want. But ultimately, the buck stops with him now with this performance at the Champions Trophy."

He wanted the role and he wanted complete control - Jason Gillespie on Aaqib Javed

Jason Gillespie made a bold statement, saying that Aaqib Javed always wanted complete control. However, he was quick to quip that with performances not being there, the coach needs to take a lot of responsibility. He added:

"He wanted the role and he wanted complete control. He got it and the performance wasn't there. So ultimately, he has to bear a lot of responsibility. I think the selectors need to take a lot of responsibility for the squad that they picked to play in this tournament. And we saw the results and the results weren't good enough."

Jason Gillespie who recently called Aaqib Javed a clown, speaks about Aaqib wanting the role of Head Coach and wanting full control "it always felt there were things going on behind the scenes that I wasn't aware of and it didn't surprise me when he was announced as interim… pic.twitter.com/xLZpmHxQdP

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 6, 2025

Following the debacle in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Aaqib Javed faced a lot of criticism. But he retained his place as a head coach and will be performing the role in the upcoming New Zealand tour.