Australia hero speaks out after appointment as Pakistan coach

Pakistan have appointed Jason Gillespie as their Test coach (Picture: Getty)

Jason Gillespie says he is ‘grateful’ and ‘honoured’ following his appointment as Pakistan’s new Test coach.

The former Australia bowler will take charge of the men’s side in red-ball cricket while the white-ball team is led by ex-South Africa batter Gary Kirsten.

Azhar Mahmood, who played 164 games for Pakistan, will assist Gillespie and Kirsten across the formats.

Pakistan face Bangladesh in a home Test series in August and host England in a two-match series in October before travelling to South Africa in December.

The white-ball team, meanwhile, will compete for the T20 World Cup in June, the ICC Champions Trophy next year and another T20 World Cup in 2026.

Kirsten will link up with Pakistan’s one-day squad after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, where he is a batting coach and mentor for Gujarat Titans.

Gillespie said: ‘I am grateful to the PCB for their faith in my abilities and giving me the honour of coaching one of the most highly-regarded and talented cricket teams in the traditional format of the sport.

Gary Kirsten will take charge of the white-ball side (Picture: Getty)

‘Leading the Pakistan cricket team is a big achievement for any coach, given its rich legacy and passionate fan base.

‘I love Test cricket and being able to focus on that is something I like very much. I also love the fact that there is so much talent in Pakistan. I like to think that I can help in some way to grow and develop the players.

‘I want to win Tests – that is why I am taking this role. I love winning and I know we have got the skill to make that happen.

‘The ICC World Test Championship is the ultimate in the Test format. I understand this cycle is likely to prove too great a task as we would need to win a lot of matches in a short space of time to have any chance of making the final, but aspiring to be in that final, and to winning it, has to be a medium- to long-term goal for us.

‘Ultimately, it is all about playing the style of cricket we want to play, one that helps us win matches, excites the public and puts smiles on the faces of everyone connected with Pakistan cricket.

Azhar Mahmood will assist the former Australia and South Africa stars (Picture: Getty)

‘Within Pakistan we have a number of high-quality fast bowlers and being able to utilise them will be a key part of any success we enjoy. But we have quality in all departments – pace, spin, batting and keeping. We have all bases covered.

‘It is exciting to know we have that talent and I am looking forward to working with such talented players.

‘I understand there will be expectation and that comes with the role. All I can do is to take it in my stride and I would not have taken on the job if I did not think I could deal with it.’

Gillespie played 71 Tests and was an integral part of one of the great Australia teams, taking 402 wickets in all formats.

He guided Yorkshire to back-to-back County Championship titles at the start of his coaching career and has since had stints with Sussex, Adelaide Strikers and South Australia.

Pakistan chairman Mohsin Naqvi said: ‘I extend my congratulations to Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten. Their stellar track records precede them, and I warmly welcome them to the Pakistan cricket family.

‘Jason’s coaching career has been marked by success both at the domestic and international levels, with a focus on player development and achieving excellence in team performance.

‘Gary’s coaching career has been marked by his ability to instil a winning mentality, develop young talent, and achieve success at the highest levels of the game, making him one of the most respected and sought-after coaches in cricket.

‘In this background, I have every confidence that their expertise will guide our players to reach new heights, aligning with their inherent talent and the expectations of our passionate fans.

‘These high-quality appointments also present a remarkable opportunity for our players to glean insights from these seasoned professionals, refining their skills and fortifying their cricketing acumen.

‘The PCB is unwavering in its commitment to furnish the national team with top-tier resources and facilities, fostering an environment conducive to unlocking their full potential and consistently delivering stellar performances.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.