The debate over Pakistan cricket team’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has intensified after former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar’s bold claim that even an Indian B team could defeat Pakistan. However, former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who was Pakistan’s head coach for a short term in 2024-25, has strongly disagreed to Gavaskar’s remarks, labeling them as “absolute nonsense.”
The Mohammad Rizwan-led Team endured a disastrous Champions Trophy campaign failing to win a single game despite being the tournament hosts. Reacting to their form Sunil Gavaskar claimed that: “I think a B team from India can certainly challenge Pakistan. Our B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.” Gavaskar made these comments on Sports Today igniting a strong response from cricket fans and experts.
Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie who also served as Pakistan’s Test coach strongly disagreed with Gavaskar’s statement. But Gillespie was quick to react on Gavaskar’s comments, saying that Pakistan can compete with any team if given the right support. “I don’t buy this rhetoric. I saw some comments from Sunil Gavaskar about the Indian B team beating Pakistan’s top team. That’s nonsense, absolute nonsense,” Gillespie said. He further emphasized the importance of backing the right players in Pakistan cricket: “If Pakistan pick and stick with the right players and give them time to shine, they can beat anyone. They just need to back high-end talent and be patient with them.”
Gillespie called our system a joke, says Rashid Latif
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has stated that former head coach of the national team, Jason Gillespie, did not insult Aaqib Javed, but instead used inappropriate words against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Continuing his statement, Latif said, “Jason Gillespie was referring to our system as a joke. I had a feeling that he would do this once he went back.”
Latif, however, emphasized that the PCB needs to strike a balance in its decision-making process and change its approach. “Foreign coaches do not compromise on principles,” he stated.
He pointed to the example of Mickey Arthur, who was strict with players, and as a result, the Pakistan team became number one in T20Is. “When I was the head coach of Afghanistan, the players respected the head coach like a father and tried to learn from him. Today, the results speak for themselves. In our system, players have become bigger than the game,” Latif explained.
The former wicketkeeper also addressed the issue surrounding Babar Azam. He mentioned, “If Babar Azam feels someone has made wrong remarks about him, he should send a legal notice. I have done that myself, but the reaction of his father on social media was inappropriate.”
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