Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @gavaskarsunilofficial, Twitter Profile Photo of @Jason_Gillespie
The recent debate over Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has gained traction, especially after former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar’s bold assertion that even an Indian B team could defeat Pakistan in their current form. This comment, made on Sports Today, triggered a strong reaction from cricket fans and experts alike.
Gavaskar’s statement came after the Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan team failed to win a single game in the tournament, despite hosting the event. Reflecting on Pakistan’s struggles, Gavaskar claimed, “I think a B team from India can certainly challenge Pakistan. Our B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.” This bold remark added fuel to the fire of the ongoing discussions about Pakistan’s cricketing woes.
However, former Australian pacer and Pakistan’s short-term head coach in 2024-25, Jason Gillespie, was quick to reject Gavaskar’s comments. He firmly disagreed, calling them “absolute nonsense.”
Gillespie, who also served as Pakistan’s Test coach, emphasized that Pakistan, given the right support, could compete with any team in world cricket. “I don’t buy this rhetoric. I saw some comments from Sunil Gavaskar about the Indian B team beating Pakistan’s top team. That’s nonsense, absolute nonsense,” Gillespie said. He further emphasized the importance of supporting the right players and sticking with them: “If Pakistan pick and stick with the right players and give them time to shine, they can beat anyone. They just need to back high-end talent and be patient with them.”
Gillespie’s comments did not end there. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif recently addressed a separate issue related to Gillespie’s brief tenure as head coach. Latif clarified that while Gillespie did not insult former coach Aaqib Javed, he did use harsh words when referring to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) approach. “Jason Gillespie was referring to our system as a joke. I had a feeling that he would do this once he went back,” Latif stated.
Latif also pointed out the need for the PCB to reassess its decision-making process and adopt a more balanced approach. He emphasized that foreign coaches are uncompromising when it comes to their principles. “Foreign coaches do not compromise on principles,” Latif noted. He drew a comparison to Mickey Arthur’s tenure, mentioning that Arthur’s strictness with players led to success, with Pakistan rising to number one in T20Is. Latif added, “When I was the head coach of Afghanistan, the players respected the head coach like a father and tried to learn from him. Today, the results speak for themselves. In our system, players have become bigger than the game.”
On the subject of Babar Azam, Latif expressed his opinion regarding the controversy surrounding the Pakistan captain. “If Babar Azam feels someone has made wrong remarks about him, he should send a legal notice. I have done that myself, but the reaction of his father on social media was inappropriate,” Latif said, offering his perspective on the matter.
As the debate over Pakistan’s cricketing future continues, both Gillespie and Latif’s remarks highlight the need for structural changes and more consistent backing for talented players within the PCB.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
