Jason Gillespie hits back at Aaqib Javed, calls him a “muppet” and labels comments “nonsense”

Former Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie has launched a scathing response to Pakistan’s chief selector Aaqib Javed, calling him a “muppet” and dismissing his recent claims as “nonsense” during an appearance on the Give Me a Spell podcast.

Gillespie was responding to remarks made by Aaqib, who claimed that both Gillespie and former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten frequently overruled selectors and “had no plan” following Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England in Multan.

Rejecting the accusation, Gillespie insisted Aaqib did not seek the coaching staff’s opinion.

“No, you didn’t, Aaqib. You didn’t ask. You walked in and said, ‘This is what we’re doing.’ Asked if we had a plan? That was nonsense.”

The former Australia fast bowler also disputed Aaqib’s account of the controversial pitch preparations. Gillespie said he opposed the decision to reuse the same surface for the second Test and claimed he disagreed with the idea of sprinkling sand on the pitch.

He further alleged that when the team moved to Rawalpindi, he saw “big industrial dryers” being used on the wicket while ground staff scraped the surface.

“I didn’t agree with that either. So give me a spell, Aaqib. You’re a muppet.”

Gillespie also defended Gary Kirsten, saying the former South Africa coach had been sidelined from the selection process despite helping choose Pakistan’s squad for the Australia tour.

“Gary had been part of the process to pick the squad, and then Aaqib came in and changed the whole squad. Gary wasn’t consulted on any of this.”

The heated exchange unfolded on the podcast as former Australia greats Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming laughed throughout Gillespie’s blunt response, adding to the light-hearted atmosphere despite the explosive criticism.

The public war of words comes months after both Gillespie and Kirsten left their respective roles with the Pakistan team, with conflicting accounts continuing to emerge over the circumstances surrounding their departures.