Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie is still waiting for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to clear his pending payment—weeks after his departure from the national setup. Despite completing his duties during his brief tenure with the Pakistan Test team, Gillespie has publicly confirmed that he has not been paid in full, leading to growing criticism of the PCB’s administrative practices.
A Disappointing End to a Promising Tenure
Gillespie, a respected Australian cricket figure and former fast bowler, was brought in by the PCB in 2023 to lead Pakistan’s red-ball (Test) side. His appointment was part of a broader restructuring aimed at reviving the national team’s form, especially after inconsistent performances in the longer format.
During his time, Gillespie worked alongside white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, and while results were mixed, many believed his influence had started to show promise. However, his early resignation in April 2025, before the completion of his full-term contract, has now become the center of a payment dispute.
Gillespie Breaks Silence
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Gillespie kept his comments brief but revealing. “It’s ongoing,” he said, when asked about the PCB payment. “Let’s just leave it at that.”
While he didn’t go into details, sources close to the matter confirm that Gillespie is considering legal action if the payment issue isn’t resolved soon. He has reportedly contacted legal counsel to weigh his options.
PCB’s Response: Contract Breach?
In response, the PCB claims that the situation is not as one-sided as it may seem. According to a statement issued earlier this year, the board says Gillespie violated the terms of his contract by resigning without serving the agreed four-month notice period.
The board insists that due to this breach, the remaining payment may be legally withheld. Officials from PCB have so far avoided direct public comments but maintain that the situation is being handled “as per contractual obligations.”
A Repeating Pattern?
This isn’t the first time the PCB has come under fire for delayed or disputed payments. In the past, several foreign coaches and players—both domestic and international—have raised similar concerns.
Such incidents raise serious questions about how the board manages its contracts and relationships with professionals. Delays in payments can harm Pakistan cricket’s reputation internationally and may discourage top-level talent from working with the PCB in the future.
What the PCB Needs to Do
It’s clear that the PCB must work quickly and transparently to resolve the issue. Whether or not the board feels justified in withholding payment due to the notice clause, this kind of public disagreement hurts the image of Pakistan cricket.
Moving forward, the PCB should:
- Clearly define contract exit policies and ensure both parties are aware of them.
- Handle payments professionally, even in disputed cases—perhaps by using third-party arbitration.
- Improve overall transparency in dealing with coaches, players, and partners.
Jason Gillespie’s complaint may seem like just another sports contract issue—but in professional cricket, trust and reputation matter. For Pakistan cricket to keep attracting top-tier coaches and experts, it must prove that it can honor its commitments and manage contracts with fairness and clarity.
As fans, all we want is to see the best minds helping Pakistan cricket succeed. But that can’t happen if the system continues to undermine its own partnerships through delays and disputes.
