Pakistan’s recently appointed red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, stressed the significance of fitness, consistency, and fielding in his debut press briefing following his assumption of the position. Addressing reporters in Karachi, Gillespie conveyed his eagerness to collaborate with the team and articulated his aspirations for their upcoming endeavors.
The Australian cricket great recognized the talent in the Pakistan squad but emphasized the necessity for more reliable performances. “We’ll explore ways to achieve continuity and consistency in our performances,” he remarked, emphasizing that player fitness would not be compromised. “In international cricket, fitness is non-negotiable,” Gillespie emphasized. “Every player must understand its importance. It’s about personal pride and professionalism.”
When queried about Pakistan’s cricket style, Gillespie disclosed having conversed with captain Shan Masood on multiple occasions and intended to delve deeper with the players during the upcoming fitness camp. He stressed the importance of strategic team selection based on opposition and conditions. “If a player benefits the team, they will be chosen. I’m coordinating with Gary Kirsten [Pakistan’s white-ball coach] for managing players’ workload,” Gillespie remarked.
Enhancing fielding is another key focus for the new coach. “There’s a consensus that Pakistan’s fielding needs improvement, so that will be my main focus. My aim is to evaluate our performance against top-tier teams,” he stated. Jason Gillespie also discussed his intentions to accompany Pakistan Shaheens, the country’s secondary team, on their tour to Australia. Reflecting on Pakistan’s recent series in Australia, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat, Gillespie noted, “In the previous tour to Australia, Pakistan lost the series 3-0 but they showed good performances. There were phases in the series where they were also dominant over the opposition.”
