Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has sharply criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed following the decision to send seven players and two coaches home from England. Gillespie questioned the selection process and said players appeared to be operating under fear because of sudden changes within the squad. His comments came after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests of their series against England, prompting major changes before the third Test.

The PCB dropped several experienced players after the team's poor performances, with Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul among those sent back to Pakistan. Seven replacement players were subsequently added to the squad, while white-ball coach Mike Hesson was given responsibility for the Test team. Gillespie questioned the manner in which the decisions were communicated, particularly the treatment of players whose positions changed abruptly during the series.

Gillespie pointed specifically to Salman Ali Agha, who had captained Pakistan in the first Test against England but was subsequently removed from the team and sent home before the third match. He said such a sudden change raised questions about the team's decision-making and planning. “How does that work?” Gillespie asked, arguing that the players' livelihoods were at stake and that the uncertainty surrounding selection could have a damaging effect on their confidence and performance.

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The former Pakistan coach also accused the PCB of lacking a consistent selection strategy under Javed. Gillespie said decisions appeared to change rapidly and claimed that there was no clear long-term plan governing the composition of the team. He further criticised Javed for continuing to blame him and former Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten for problems within the team despite both no longer being involved with Pakistan cricket. Gillespie said Javed should examine his own role in the situation rather than repeatedly attributing responsibility to former coaches.

Gillespie also raised concerns about communication between the selectors and players. He alleged that some of the players who were removed from the squad learned about their dismissals through family members, friends or the media rather than receiving the information directly from the team management. He described the lack of communication as a serious issue, particularly when decisions could have significant consequences for players' careers. Javed has previously criticised Gillespie and Kirsten, claiming there had been communication problems during their respective periods with Pakistan.

The criticism follows Pakistan's difficult start to the Test series in England. Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test at Headingley before losing the second match at Lord's by 194 runs. The consecutive losses prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes to the squad and coaching structure. With the third Test approaching, the board's decisions have now come under scrutiny from former players and coaches, while Gillespie has called for greater consistency, clearer communication and a more stable selection strategy within Pakistan cricket.

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