PCB announces Aaqib Javed as Pakistan's new head coach after 'Jason Gillespie' controversy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed former cricketer and national selector Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the national white-ball teams ahead of the Zimbabwe tour on Monday, November 18.

Aaqib Javed will serve as the interim white-ball head coach of the Pakistan cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Alongside his coaching duties, Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the National Selection Committee, playing a crucial role in shaping the Pakistan cricket team’s composition and plans for the upcoming international assignments.

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Aaqib Javed takes charge as interim head coach of Pakistan's white-ball teams

After the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Aaqib Javed is expected to take on additional responsibilities, bolstering his integral role in Pakistan cricket’s leadership and development.

The official statement from the PCB reads: “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced the appointment of Aaqib Javed, a former international fast bowler, as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. During this tenure, Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee, and will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion of the eight-team tournament.”

PCB to appoint full-time white-ball head coach by end of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also revealed that they are set to begin the process of hiring a full-time head coach for the white-ball team soon, and the Pakistan cricket team will certainly have the permanent coach by the end of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The position for the white-ball head coach was vacant ever since Gary Kirsten stepped down from the role. Pakistan’s red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, is temporarily overseeing the white-ball side on their Australia tour. Gillespie will now return to his primary responsibility as head coach of the Test team for the upcoming two-match series in South Africa.

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Pakistan’s upcoming Test tour of South Africa could be Jason Gillespie’s last assignment as the red-ball head coach, with the PCB keeping tight lips on his role in the team. Apart from two Tests, the Pakistan team will also play three ODIs and three T20Is in South Africa from December 10-22.

Before the South Africa series, the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5. They will also host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from 8-14 February in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from 19 February to 9 March at home.

ICC Champions Trophy tour officially begins in Islamabad

On the other hand, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy tour has officially begun in Islamabad, Pakistan by the PCB, despite the uncertainties lingering over India's participation. The trophy will remain in Pakistan until November 25 before traveling to other competing nations.

After its time in Pakistan, the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to visit Afghanistan from November 26 to 28, followed by stops in Bangladesh (December 10-13), South Africa (December 15-22), Australia (December 25-January 5), New Zealand (January 6-11), England (January 12-14), and India (January 15-26).