"There's always frustrations": Jason Gillespie exposes Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan National Cricket Team red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie recently expressed his frustration over the lack of clear communication in Pakistan cricket.

Jason Gillespie also revealed how PCB had told him that a long-term plan was in place, but everything changed very quickly and things again got chaotic just after a few setbacks.

Pakistan currently involved in a Test series against England

The Shan Masood-led Pakistan are currently taking on Ben Stokes-led England in the third Test match of the series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

With the series leveled at 1-1, the Three Lions won the toss and chose to bat first in the final Test. They posted a good total of 267 runs on the board despite losing half the side for 98 runs.

It was the rescue act by the wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith on a spin-friendly track that helped the visitors reach a good score. Smith batted magnificently against the Pakistani spinners and smashed 89 runs.

Pakistan, meanwhile, once again started their innings poorly as openers Abdullah Shafique (14) and Saim Ayub (19) failed miserably, while Kamran Ghulam bagged a single-digit score. The home team finished with 73 for 3 on the board at the end of day 1.

It wasn't what I signed up for, I'll be completely honest - Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie was recently removed from the selection committee along with Shan Masood after Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali were brought to the panel.

The crucial power was taken away from Gillespie, and he was not consulted about the squad for the second and third Tests or the pitch for the matches. Jason Gillespie was clearly disappointed after being removed from the panel and labeled his new role as the "match-day strategist".

In an interview with Sky Sports, Jason Gillespie clearly said that he did not signed up for his current job but will adapt as things are different in Pakistan cricket. He elaborated:

"I think there's always frustrations from time to time. For me, when I came on board with Pakistan cricket, I was told there was a long-term plan, and we need to make sure our communication's spot on. I made that a real focus and so you can get frustrated if those things aren't done how you would like.

"It wasn't what I signed up for, I'll be completely honest. But this is one of those situations in which you just need to go with the flow. As I said, I'm in a different environment and things are done differently. One can agree or disagree with how things are done, but ultimately I'm here to help the Pakistan team do well, help the players get better, improve. So I've put all my focus and energy into that."

A lot's changed. Since I've been involved, we're already on our third selection panel - Jason Gillespie.

Jason Gillespie further highlighted the frequent changes in the PCB selection committee but said that he needs to go with the flow as the environment is quite different in Pakistan cricket.

"A lot's changed. Since I've been involved, we're already on our third selection panel. These are the things you just got to take it all in your stride and understand that we're in a different environment and go with the flow. I ask a lot of questions and ask for clarity, which as head coach I'm well within my rights to ask.

"But I want to make it really clear that everyone in Pakistan wants what's best and there's a lot of very passionate people here. That's driving me to continue to help the players, and it's been a great experience so far working with them. I really excited about what the future holds and as a coach."

Jason Gillespie also asserted that he is a foreigner in Pakistan and needs to understand that things are done differently. He said:

"Lots of things change in Pakistan at the drop of a hat. You just sort of take that in your stride and understand that this is the environment you're in. I've got to always remember that I'm a foreigner in Pakistan and I've got to respect that and that things are probably done differently to what I'm used to or what I expect in the environment I've come from in Australia. So not saying one way is the right way or the wrong way or whatever, it's just different and you just have to adjust and adapt."