ISLAMABAD: Jason Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan test cricket coach last December and has used a social media post to describe interim head coach Aaqib Javed as a “clown.”
Gillespie was a fast bowler who played 71 tests and 97 one-day internationals for Australia from 1996-2006 before going into coaching.
He was appointed last April for two years as Pakistan’s test coach but quit before a series in South Africa less than eight months later after an unsuccessful start.
He was the second foreigner to leave Pakistan’s program in less than two months after South African Gary Kirsten stepped down as limited-overs coach in October.
Aaqib, Pakistan’s national selector and interim head coach, acknowledged this week after Pakistan’s failure to reach the knockout stage of the Champions Trophy — following losses to New Zealand and India — that the chopping and changing hasn’t helped the national team.
“We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years or so,” he was quoted as saying at a news conference to announce the latest overhaul of Pakistan’s limited-overs squads. “You put that formula on any team in the world, I think they will also be in the same situation.
“Until you get consistency right from the top down to the bottom, from the chairman down, then your team will not progress.”
Gillespie responded to those comments by posting an Instagram story late Wednesday describing the analysis as “hilarious.”
“Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats,” Gillespie posted. “He is a clown.”
Aaqib, a former Pakistan cricket international, had been acting as interim coach of the limited-overs squads following Kirsten’s departure when he took over the test squad from Gillespie.
Aaqib’s contract initially ran until the Champions Trophy but he is set to continue in the role while the Pakistan Cricket Board searches for a full-time replacement.
Jason Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan coach
https://arab.news/bnbc6
Jason Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan coach
- Former Australian fast bowler accuses interim coach Aaqib Javed of working against him
- Gillespie was appointed last April for two years as Pakistan’s coach but quit eight months later
Messi dazzles as Miami beat Vancouver to win MLS title
- Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE, United States: Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a leading role in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami took the lead after an early Edier Ocampo own goal but were left reeling by Ali Ahmed’s second half-equalizer for Vancouver.
But Messi then laid on an assist for Argentina international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul to put Miami 2-1 up before supplying the pass for Tadeo Allende’s injury time goal that sealed victory.
Miami’s first Major League Soccer crown provided glittering vindication for co-owner David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star who had long dreamed of bringing success to Miami.
“There was a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed,” Beckham said afterwards. “I always believed in bringing the team here, and when I found the right partners I knew anything was possible.
“We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”
Vancouver — spearheaded by German legend Thomas Mueller — had looked the likelier victor after recovering from Ocampo’s eighth minute own goal to level through Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute.
The Whitecaps almost took the lead moments after the equalizer, with Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot crashing off both posts in the 62nd minute as Miami escaped.
But with the Whitecaps in complete control, the Canadians were stunned when Miami regained the lead after a blunder by midfielder Andres Cubas.
Cubas took too long in possession and was robbed by Messi, who skipped clear before releasing De Paul to provide the clinical finish.
Vancouver never recovered from that hammer blow and Miami started the party in injury time when Messi played in Allende for the third to make it 3-1.
The win marks the crowning achievement of Inter Miami since the club — which entered the league as an expansion club in 2020 — successfully lured Messi to Miami in 2023.
Saturday’s victory also marked the end of an era for two key figures in Miami’s rise to the top of Major League Soccer, with former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets heading into retirement.
