Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has found himself embroiled in a financial dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following his departure from the role in December last year, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Gillespie has claimed that he is owed money for work he has already completed, accusing the PCB of breaching several aspects of his contract. In response, the PCB has countered that Gillespie did not provide the required four-month notice period before resigning, as mandated in his contract.
The Australian coach reportedly reached out to the PCB to settle his outstanding payments, which he says include bonuses promised for leading Pakistan to a Test series win over England in October 2024, and an ODI series victory over Australia the following month. Gillespie has also referred the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), though it remains uncertain whether the ICC has jurisdiction to intervene.
Gillespie had stepped in as the interim ODI coach after Gary Kirsten resigned due to disagreements with the board. Gillespie believed he had received written assurances from the PCB regarding his pay, which have yet to be fulfilled.
The PCB issued a statement on Sunday denying Gillespie’s claims, calling his departure without serving his notice period a “clear breach of contractual terms.” The board confirmed it had responded to Gillespie’s communications and was awaiting a response from his representatives. While it’s unclear if the PCB is seeking compensation from Gillespie for quitting prematurely, they are exploring that possibility. Currently, the PCB maintains that it owes Gillespie nothing.
Relations between Gillespie and the PCB had already soured prior to his resignation. Two months earlier, he was removed from the selection panel and later described his role as being reduced to a “matchday strategist,” which he said was “not what he signed up for.” In November, ESPNcricinfo reported that Gillespie would not coach Pakistan during their tour of South Africa, with Aqib Javed stepping in instead—a plan that ultimately went ahead.
The final straw reportedly came when Gillespie’s assistant, Tim Nielsen, was informed that his contract would not be renewed. Gillespie viewed this move as an attempt to undermine his authority and believed the PCB wanted him to quit to avoid paying out his contract. He resigned the following day, accusing the PCB of “completely and utterly blindsiding” him.
The dispute comes just a day after the PCB announced it is searching for their next head coach. Javed, who served as interim coach since December amid a string of poor results, will no longer be part of the coaching setup.
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