'Pakistan haven't played well': Jason Gillespie delivers no-nonsense verdict as he backs Shan Masood

Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Pakistan's red-ball cricket team, has found himself at the center of intense scrutiny following the team’s embarrassing 2-0 Test series loss to Bangladesh at home.

This whitewash was a bitter pill to swallow on home turf, and it put immense pressure on both the players and the coach. Taking charge as the red-ball head coach in April 2024, Gillespie has faced intense heat after the really devastating start of his tenure with the Pakistan cricket team.

Jason Gillespie backs Pakistan to challenge England in Test series

The head coach is well aware of the high expectations, as he openly admitted the toughest challenges ahead of him. Pakistan’s form has been underwhelming, and the once-dominant side is struggling to find its rhythm in the longest format of the game.

However, Gillespie is not backing down, calling the challenge a daunting yet exciting one as he works to rebuild the team’s fortunes ahead of the three-match Test series against England, starting on October 7 in Multan.

At the center of the storm is Test captain Shan Masood, whose leadership has also come under fire, especially in the wake of the whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh at home. Critics have questioned whether Masood is the right man to lead Pakistan’s Test side during this turbulent period.

However, Gillespie has thrown his full support behind the underfire captain Masood while praising his vision and leadership. Despite the growing discontent, the Pakistan coach remains convinced that Masood’s clear strategy and strong communication will be crucial to steering the team out of the current choppy situation.

It's been a tough initiation: Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie was quoted as saying by The Telegraph: “It's been a tough initiation, and Pakistan haven't been playing well for a while now. Look, it's a challenge. There's no doubt about that, but it's an exciting one.

He has got a very clear plan on how the Test side should play and we are completely aligned on that. There are things people don't see and I've been really impressed by his communication with the players and how he's gone about doing his job.”

But the real test looms just around the corner, as Pakistan is set to face a formidable England side in a three-match Test series at home, and Gillespie is very clear about the threat posed by England, who are known for their aggressive style of play.

We need to show a bit of patience: Jason Gillespie

He stressed the need for resilience, discipline, and the ability to strike when the moment calls for it when they face England in the home Tests. However, the head coach is optimistic that Pakistan can challenge England if they stick to the game plan.

The coach has called for patience and faith in the team’s abilities, urging the entire Pakistan to support their players in these testing times. Notably, Multan and Rawalpindi will host the England Tests.

Gillespie signed off by saying, “I'm very confident that we've got good quality players. We just need to show our faith and our belief in them, and we need to show a bit of patience.”