Why Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed was called 'a clown' by Australia great Jason Gillespie

Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie labelled his successor Aaqib Javed a "clown." The Australian went on to reportedly accuse the former fast bowler of undermining him and ex-white-ball coach Gary Kirsten in order to take charge of the national team across all formats.

Jason Gillespie, who was a seamer for the Kangaroos during his playing days, made the comments in reply to a social media post containing quotes from Javed a few days after hosts Pakistan had crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without a win. Their only point in the group stage came from a washed out dead-rubber with fellow casualties Bangladesh. 

Javed told reporters on Tuesday that Pakistan had changed 16 coaches and 26 selectors in around two years and any side would struggle in such circumstances."This is hilarious," Australian Gillespie said on social media. "Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats... He is a clown."

According to Reuters, Kirsten resigned as Pakistan's white-ball coach in October barely six months after taking the job, with Gillespie filling in for the South African during a limited-overs tour of Australia. Javed was then named Pakistan's interim white-ball coach until the Champions Trophy and his assignment has now been extended to their tour of New Zealand for five T20s and three ODIs starting March 16. 

Gillespie, who had also signed a two-year contract with the PCB last April, quit as red-ball coach in December amid media reports of a breakdown in relations with the board. He was replaced by Javed.