Gillespie Resigns as Head Coach of Pakistan Test Team

Jason Gillespie Steps Down Amid PCB-ICC BCCI Standoff

Jason Gillespie has resigned as the coach of the Pakistan Test team, hours before the team was set out for South Africa for a two-Test series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed Gillespie's exit without elaborating.

Interim Head Coach Appointed

Aaqib Javed will take over as interim red ball coach on an interim basis, following Gillespie's resignation. Aaqib had earlier been appointed as the interim head coach of the white-ball team following Gary Kirsten's resignation.

Test Series Schedule

Pakistan's two-match Test series against South Africa will be Aaqib's first assignment as red-ball head coach. The first Test is scheduled at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 to 30 December, while the second Test will be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January.

PCB's Challenges Amid ICC BCCI Standoff

The developments come at a time when Pakistan cricket is entangled in a protracted standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the Champions Trophy fiasco. The PCB is now having to deal with an on-field cricketing exigency, following Gillespie's resignation.