PCB decision lurches Gillespie’s future into further doubt as board sack his assistant Tim Nielsen ahead of SA series.
PCB decision to sack Test Coach Tim Nielsen has lurched the former’s future with the team in doubt.
Tim Nielsen, the assistant coach for Pakistan’s forthcoming Test tour of South Africa,. He will not have his contract renewed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Nielsen, who was technically named the “high-performance red-ball coach” when he was hired in August of this year. He had been waiting for an extension decision because his contract had expired and was up for renewal following Pakistan’s tour of Australia. The PCB informed him that his skills were no longer needed. This despite his belief that he was “making good progress” with the team and was totally focused on the Test series against South Africa and the West Indies.
Gillespie is reportedly quite disappointed that the PCB did not notify him in advance that he would no longer have his assistant coach with him in South Africa. The main source of his annoyance seems to be the fact that he wasn’t contacted beforehand. Which is consistent with a larger trend of Gillespie’s functions and authority being gradually diminished over the past few months.
He claimed to be only a “matchday strategist” after being kicked off the Test team’s selection panel in October. Since the conclusion of Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, where he served as the team’s interim coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation. There has been no communication between the player and the board.
It is believed that a portion of Gillespie’s ire stems from his perception of Nielsen’s strong bond with the players, which he had repeatedly stated in public. Although Nielsen acknowledged that he would have been available for the next two tours in their entirety, it is thought that both Gillespie and Nielsen saw Nielsen’s non-Pakistani basis as the reason his contract hasn’t been extended.
Although it is believed that the PCB has not yet decided who might take Nielsen’s place. The present administration has attempted to replace the foreign coaches it hired earlier this year with ones from Pakistan. In the past, the PCB has blamed its discontent with foreign coaches. Most notably Gary Kirsten, who resigned in October—on their inability to spend enough time in Pakistan. However, Gillespie has consistently insisted that he has fulfilled his end of the bargain in that respect.
Although it is believed that Gillespie has not ruled out leaving before the series against South Africa. The conditions under which his time at the PCB ends will still have a significant impact on what transpires. The PCB may be responsible for paying out the great bulk of the remaining balance on his contract. Which expires in mid-2026, if they chose to fire him. That payment is far less if he quits on his own initiative.