The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to hire a new white-ball coach after Gary Kirsten resigned last month. Reports suggest Aaqib Javed, currently serving as the senior selector, is a strong candidate for the role.
Gary Kirsten stepped down as the men’s white-ball coach on October 28, 2024. Following his resignation, Jason Gillespie, the red-ball coach, temporarily took over as the head coach for Pakistan’s ongoing white-ball series in Australia.
Aaqib Javed Likely to Become White-Ball Coach
According to Samaa TV journalist Qadir Khawaja, Aaqib Javed is expected to be appointed soon.
“Breaking News: Faakhta told me that Ex Cricketer of Pakistan Aaqib Javed will be appointed as a new White ball Head Coach soon,” Qadir Khawaja posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The third T20I between Pakistan and Australia will take place on November 18 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Meanwhile, the PCB must finalize a white-ball coach before the upcoming Zimbabwe series.
Appointed in April 2024, Kirsten and Gillespie faced challenges. Pakistan suffered an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 and a 2-0 T20I loss to England. Despite setbacks Gillespie led Pakistan to a 2-1 Test series win over England and an ODI series win against Australia.
Aaqib Javed, a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, had a stellar career with 236 international wickets. Post-retirement, he achieved coaching success by helping Pakistan’s U19 team win the 2004 World Cup and assisting the senior team during their 2009 T20 World Cup victory.
He also guided the UAE to ODI and T20I status and qualified them for the 2015 ICC World Cup. Recently, he was replaced as Lahore Qalandars’ coach in the PSL by Darren Gough.
