Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Pakistan Cricket has been in the news for all good, bad and ugly reasons. Although their recent shallow on-field performances are enough to hog the limelight, their off-field tactics are also starting to make some noise. Head coach Jason Gillespie’s role has now been confined to ‘match-day strategy’, with the PCB snatching away his decision-making perk and reallocating it to the newly-formed selection committee.
On the eve of the third and final home Test against England in Rawalpindi, Gillespie revealed he had no role in the team selection for the second game in Multan, which Pakistan won and levelled the series.
Though the head coach and captain are part of the leadership group whose primary role is to make all the decisions, from the team selection to tactical changes on the field, Gillespie and Shan Masood were not part of the emergency meeting (with the new selection committee) after the first-Test disaster in Multan.
"The PCB came out and made some changes after that Test match. It was decided that a new selection panel would come in, and they would be making decisions. I was not involved in the decision-making; I was just there. I'm now just the coach on match-day strategy. I just keep out of things now and just focus on the players and getting them ready for cricket,” Gillespie said ahead of the third Test in Rawalpindi.
Despite his situation, Gillespie aims to work with the Test squad at the helm, trying to hone their skills and go for a Test series win against England.
Understanding the team’s position from what they have been through, the former Aussie quick admits any win is great.
"The last few years, Pakistan's Test cricket hasn't been where we'd like it to be. Any win is great, and any series win is fantastic. Just coming into this environment, as a coach, I'm very protective of players. They're the ones going out and representing their country. I suppose there's a dad in me that comes out, and I want to protect all the boys from all outside noise and whatever,” he continued.
England bat first in Rawalpindi
England won the toss and elected to bat first in Rawalpindi – the venue where they scored more than 500 runs on a single day the last time. This time they have including three spinners in their playing XI.
On the other hand, Pakistan remained unchanged for the third Test of the series.
Inside the first session, Pakistan spinner Noman Ali picked Zak Crawley, caught on 29.
(With inputs from agencies)