PCB: Pakistan Test team's new head coach Gillespie defends players, says questions should not be raised

Pakistan's team has left behind its disappointing performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and is busy preparing for the future. Pakistan Test team's new head coach Jason Gillespie has reached Pakistan. Like Gillespie, Gary Kirsten became the limited-overs coach, but Kirsten could not make the Pakistan team successful in his first big tournament. Gillespie, however, defended the team's players but also warned that he would not compromise on fitness under any circumstances.

Gillespie said that it would be the players' responsibility to prove why they are important for the national team. Shortly after reaching Pakistan, former Australian fast bowler Gillespie said in a press conference that once a player is selected for the national team, then there should be no questions about his fitness, skill, and mental attitude.

Gillespie said the national team is not a place where you question the importance of a player. If there is any perception about the place of a player, then he has to change it with his performance and attitude. My mantra is that the Test team should have fit, strong, and powerful players because fitness is very important in any format of modern cricket.

The T20 World Cup did not depart positively for Pakistan, as it had to face defeat at the hands of America and then India. America defeated Pakistan in the super over, while India defeated the arch-rival team by six runs in a thrilling match played in New York. Due to the loss of these two matches, the way into the group stage was closed for Pakistan, and thus, it ended in the group stage itself. The Pakistan team emerged as a champion in 2009, but since then never won the title of this T20 tournament. For the first time in 10 years, a Pakistan team has been knocked out of the T20 World Cup at the group stage.

After the poor performance of Pakistan, its captain, Babar Azam, has been at the receiving end of criticism from fans and former players. Former player Shoaib Malik said that this juggernaut is not even worthy of a place in the playing 11 of any top team in this format. It is well known that Babar was reinstated as captain of the Pakistan team just before the T20 World Cup.