Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has advised current head coach Mike Hesson to trust his instincts and avoid becoming a “yes man” as he begins his tenure with Pakistan’s red-ball side.
Gillespie, who resigned as Pakistan’s Test coach in December 2024 after an eight-month stint, offered the advice ahead of Hesson’s first Test in charge during Pakistan’s ongoing tour of England.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Gillespie said he knows Hesson personally and considers him an excellent coach. However, he warned his fellow coach not to get caught up in the turmoil surrounding Pakistan cricket simply for the sake of accepting a salary.
Hesson Takes Charge Amid Major Changes
Hesson has assumed responsibility for Pakistan’s red-ball setup at a particularly turbulent time for the national team.
Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests of the ongoing series in England, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make sweeping changes to the squad and coaching structure.
As part of the overhaul, the PCB sent seven players back home and parted ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
The changes have placed additional responsibility on Hesson as he attempts to stabilize the team and oversee the next phase of Pakistan’s Test cricket strategy.
Gillespie’s warning appears to be influenced heavily by his own experience during his time with the PCB.
Gillespie Says His Role Was Gradually Reduced
Gillespie said he initially joined Pakistan with broad responsibilities covering the Test team, players, coaching staff and aspects of selection.
According to the former Australia fast bowler, there was also an intention to revive Pakistan’s fast-bowling culture and prepare pitches offering greater bounce and carry.
However, he said the situation changed significantly after Aaqib Javed became chairman of selectors.
Gillespie claimed that Aaqib’s appointment “fundamentally altered the landscape” and resulted in him losing virtually all influence over team matters.
He said he went from managing the Test side, players and staff and having a role in selection to having “absolutely no role in anything.”
The former coach also accused Aaqib of undermining him during his tenure. Gillespie said the experience left him frustrated and deflated, affected him mentally and even made him question whether he wanted to continue working in coaching.
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Former Coach Claims PCB Still Owes Him Money
Gillespie also raised the issue of money he says remains unpaid by the PCB.
He claimed the board still owes him “thousands of dollars,” nearly two years after his departure from the Pakistan coaching setup.
Despite the alleged outstanding payments, Gillespie said he refused to compromise his principles.
He explained that he could have remained silent, agreed with decisions and simply collected his salary, but that approach would not have reflected who he was or how he had conducted himself throughout his career.
Gillespie added that he had a feeling he might be dismissed within a couple of months anyway, suggesting that his differences with the cricket authorities had already created uncertainty around his future.
PCB Disputed Gillespie’s Contract Position
The dispute between Gillespie and the PCB has previously involved the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
Reports in April 2025 stated that Gillespie believed the board still owed him money. The PCB, however, maintained that the former coach had breached his contract by resigning without completing the required notice period.
Against that backdrop, Gillespie’s latest comments to Hesson reflect the difficulties he says he experienced while working within Pakistan’s cricket administration.
For Hesson, the challenge will now be to establish his authority while navigating a rapidly changing setup. Gillespie’s central message is clear: remain confident in his coaching judgment, trust his instincts and avoid compromising his professional principles simply to keep everyone satisfied.
