December 13, 2024: Jason Gillespie’s departure as Pakistan’s Test team head coach after just a few months is quite a significant development, especially after his successful turnaround of the team’s fortunes in the home series against England. Overcoming a 1-0 deficit to win that three-Test series was no small feat and demonstrated Gillespie’s potential as a coach. It’s unfortunate that his tenure was brief, but it also speaks to the unpredictable nature of coaching roles, especially in international cricket.
Now, with Aqib Javed stepping in as the new head coach of the Test team, the challenge of guiding Pakistan through the remaining matches of the World Test Championship cycle will be a tough one. Pakistan’s hopes for a spot in the WTC Final are already dashed, but the focus will now likely shift to improving their overall performance and building for the future. Aqib Javed has a wealth of experience and a good track record, especially as the head coach of the white-ball team, and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Test format.
The upcoming series against South Africa is also a big challenge for Pakistan. South Africa, having recently put on a strong show against Sri Lanka, are in excellent form and will be a tough opponent, especially at home. Centurion on Boxing Day will be a daunting venue, with its pace-friendly pitch and the pressure of playing in such a big series.
As for the squads, both South Africa and Pakistan have made some interesting selections. South Africa’s T20I squad looks solid, with players like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller leading the way. On the Pakistan side, Mohammad Rizwan leading the T20I team is a good choice, and it’s encouraging to see some younger talents like Saim Ayub and Omair Bin Yousuf in the mix. There’s also the inclusion of the experienced Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who will play a crucial role in both the T20Is and the upcoming Tests.
It’ll be interesting to see how Pakistan fares under new leadership with Aqib Javed in charge, especially with South Africa’s formidable form at the moment.
