Australia's two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting has backed his former teammate Jason Gillespie to do well as Pakistan men's cricket team's head coach. While lauding Gillespie ahead of the two-Test series at home against Bangladesh, Ponting compared him to India men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir who won the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor.
"Jason Gillespie is a bit like Gambhir. Pretty much everywhere he has been, his coaching record has been very very good. He will have some challenges I got no doubt about it. But he is a deep thinker and as I said, a quiet person that goes about it in his own way," Ponting said on ICC review.
Ponting is not surprised by a few changes made by the selectors in Pakistan's Test team. He expected a few changes after the dismal show in T20 World Cup 2024.
"We have got a few WhatsApp groups over the years, all of us old guys that have played together. So everyone's congratulated him and wished him luck in that role. And look, to be honest, I am not surprised at all by the amount of changes in that group. I know it is a different format but they had a very disappointing T20 World Cup. If you are not willing to make some changes, you are expecting similar results to come your way," he added.
Gillespie’s other coaching stints
This is the first time Gillespie will be coaching a national side full-time. Earlier, he has had stints with Indian Premier League's (IPL) Punjab Kings (PBKS), Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Adelaide Strikers, England County Cricket Clubs Yorkshire and Sussex in addition to South Australia and others.
New vice-captain, chance to improve WTC standing
Earlier this month, Pakistan's 17-member squad for the Test series was announced and Saud Shakeel was named vice-captain. Shaheen Afridi was removed as captain Shan Masood's deputy to manage his workload.
The two-Test series will commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi. The two-Test series is an opportunity for Pakistan to improve their standing on World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 table. Currently, they are placed fifth on the table.
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