'I’m not a selector' - Jason Gillespie opens up on new role as 'match-day strategist'

As the much-anticipated third Test between Pakistan and England draws nearer, there have been a lot of developments which have arisen; mainly in relation to squad news and the like. After all, there is all to play for both sides, and in particular, Pakistan, who came back in emphatic fashion in the second Test after being inflicted a pounding in the first.

Pakistan's red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie spoke on the reduction of his responsibilities as the PCB has revamped the selection panel by removing captains and coaches. The alteration was carried out around a fortnight back, with notable additions including Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali. 

Also Read: PCB adds Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali to selection committee 

"The PCB came out and made some changes after that [first] Test match. It was decided that a new selection panel would come in and that they would be making the decisions. I am now the coach for 'match-day strategy'. I keep out of things now and focus on getting the players ready for cricket. It’s not something for me to talk about now. I’m not a selector, I’m a 'match-day strategist' as head coach. My focus is on the players, I’ll let the selectors do their job. I’m getting splinters in my ar*e from sitting on the fence here,” Gillespie was quoted as saying by Wisden.

They no longer have final say in the selection of the playing XI: PCB source

A reliable PCB source confirmed that Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood and Gillespie's powers of selecting the final XI have been completely transferred to the selection panel.

“The playing XI for the second Test (against England) has been finalised after consulting Shan and Gillispie, but, like until the first Test, they no longer have final say in the selection of the playing XI. It appears after the first Test defeat in Multan the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, decided to give complete authority to the revamped national selection committee.” mentioned the PCB source.

Also Read: PAK vs ENG 2024: Pakistan announce unchanged XI for series decider in Rawalpindi

Notably, Gillespie had the additional role of a selector on being appointed as head coach, with Masood having a say in the team conbination too. Alongside those responsibilities, he also sought advice from the selection committee to finalise Pakistan’s squad for the England Test series last month.