![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.geo.tv\/assets\/uploads\/updates\/2024-09-26\/566020_6681629_updates.jpg\")
FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s red-ball cricket team head coach Jason Gillespie has emphasised on the importance of giving confidence and showing faith in existing group of cricketers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe picked a squad which is not too dissimilar to what we had against Bangladesh. I\u2019m really keen to show our faith and belief in our players,” said\u00a0Gillespie.<\/p>\n
The head coach also discussed\u00a0a range of topics, from player development to fitness challenges and the lessons he has learned so far while speaking during commentary at the Champions Cup match between Lions and Stallions on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“We don\u2019t want to have knee-jerk reactions after every bad game or a result that hasn\u2019t gone our way. We want to show the faith and belief in these players because they\u2019re very good players, and we showed glimpses of good cricket in both the first and second Test against Bangladesh in Pindi,\u201d Gillespie said.<\/p>\n
However, the head coach recognized the need for greater consistency. \u201cWe just need to do it a little bit more consistently,\u201d he added, stressing that maintaining trust in the players could help them achieve the desired results.<\/p>\n
‘Fitness is\u00a0controllable’<\/span><\/h2>\nGillespie \u2014 who also toured to Australia with the Pakistan Shaheens \u2014 shared his\u00a0experience of getting acquainted with the players and support staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team\u2019s been great,\u201d he said. \u201cI was fortunate enough to be in Darwin with the Pakistan Shaheens, which was a great experience to get to know some of the guys playing underneath the test side. Obviously, the test series didn\u2019t go the way we would have liked against Bangladesh, but to start getting to know the players, the support staff, and everyone within Pakistan cricket has been fantastic.”<\/p>\n
Gillespie, himself a renowned fast bowler, also acknowledged the importance of fitness in Test cricket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFitness has been well-documented in the press. That\u2019s certainly something, as far as I\u2019m concerned, and having spoken to Gary Kirsten, is controllable. It\u2019s something that we can control. We can continue to develop and work on that because, as we know, Test cricket is a challenge,\u201d Gillespie remarked.<\/p>\n
One player who has caught the eye of the cricketing community is Kamran Ghulam, who has been in outstanding form in the Champions Cup, scoring two centuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While acknowledging Ghulam’s form, Gillespie remained focused on rewarding the current squad. \u201cKamran has been communicated that his form has been acknowledged. He\u2019s had, in particular, recent excellent performances. There are guys in the test squad who have been excellent over time, and we want to reward that,\u201d he explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The coach reiterated the importance of patience, noting, \u201cWe firmly believe if we show faith and belief in our players, it gives them the best chance to go out and play with the freedom that we want them to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the more pressing challenges for Gillespie and the Pakistan management has been managing the workload of players who compete in all three formats, especially fast bowlers like Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gillespie underscored the importance of a “squad mentality” rather than over-relying on a few players. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of cricket in all formats that we need to just be really aware of and make sure we\u2019re managing our players as best we can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also touched upon a personal learning experience regarding Afridi\u2019s availability during the Bangladesh series, sharing, \u201cI learned a pretty good lesson as a coach in the first Test match when Shaheen\u2019s wife was due to give birth. My initial thought was for him not to play and to spend time with his family. However, Shaheen, to his credit, was so keen to play. In hindsight, I should have made that call to allow him to have that important family time. It\u2019s a lesson I\u2019ve learned as a coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Younger players to be given a chance<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen asked if he would consider trying youngsters in Test matches to come as Pakistan’s chances to qualify for WTC final are over, Gillespie reiterated his focus of winning every game, but he also acknowledged the possibility of giving younger players a chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to show our faith and backing to the incumbents, but if there are prolonged performances that need improvement, we will look at things. I\u2019ve got a lot of faith in these players. This tournament has shown just how much talent there is in Pakistan cricket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gillespie also hinted at potential opportunities for youngsters later in the year. \u201cWe may look at exploring opportunities to be brave in selection and expose some youngsters to the Test team environment,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The head coach also touched upon future talent, having observed players in both the Shaheens and domestic tournaments. \u201cWe certainly want to increase our depth in all facets of the game, whether it be batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, or wicket-keeping,\u201d Gillespie stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wicket-keeper position, in particular, is one he has his eyes on, with the experienced Mohammad Rizwan and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed leading the pack. \u201cSarfraz has been a wonderful servant, but we know Safi\u2019s not getting any younger. At some point, we\u2019re going to need to start exploring and offering opportunities to other players,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As Gillespie continues to familiarise himself with the setup, the message is clear \u2014 building a squad that can compete at the highest level, managing workload efficiently, and nurturing talent are his top priorities. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to have to rely on one or two players in any discipline. We want to be able to create depth and squads so that we can call on any player at any time,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Jason Gillespie\u2019s first few months as head coach have been a learning experience, filled with challenges but also with a sense of hope. His approach of maintaining faith in the current squad, managing workload sensibly, and creating a broader talent pool will be crucial as Pakistan navigates the tough road ahead in international cricket.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
When asked if he would consider trying youngsters in Test matches to come as Pakistan’s chances to qualify for WTC final are over, Gillespie reiterated his focus of winning every game, but he also acknowledged the possibility of giving younger players a chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to show our faith and backing to the incumbents, but if there are prolonged performances that need improvement, we will look at things. I\u2019ve got a lot of faith in these players. This tournament has shown just how much talent there is in Pakistan cricket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gillespie also hinted at potential opportunities for youngsters later in the year. \u201cWe may look at exploring opportunities to be brave in selection and expose some youngsters to the Test team environment,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The head coach also touched upon future talent, having observed players in both the Shaheens and domestic tournaments. \u201cWe certainly want to increase our depth in all facets of the game, whether it be batting, fast bowling, spin bowling, or wicket-keeping,\u201d Gillespie stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wicket-keeper position, in particular, is one he has his eyes on, with the experienced Mohammad Rizwan and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed leading the pack. \u201cSarfraz has been a wonderful servant, but we know Safi\u2019s not getting any younger. At some point, we\u2019re going to need to start exploring and offering opportunities to other players,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As Gillespie continues to familiarise himself with the setup, the message is clear \u2014 building a squad that can compete at the highest level, managing workload efficiently, and nurturing talent are his top priorities. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to have to rely on one or two players in any discipline. We want to be able to create depth and squads so that we can call on any player at any time,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Jason Gillespie\u2019s first few months as head coach have been a learning experience, filled with challenges but also with a sense of hope. His approach of maintaining faith in the current squad, managing workload sensibly, and creating a broader talent pool will be crucial as Pakistan navigates the tough road ahead in international cricket.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n