Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has urged former players to stop "unfair and uncalled for" criticism of national team players.
Speaking on the PakPassion podcast, Gillespie - who resigned from his position as Pakistan head coach in December - touched on a wide range of challenges currently facing Pakistan cricket. He was particularly strong on the difficulties public criticism from former players gave to the current crop of players.
"I'd love to see former players come out and be a bit more supportive of the current players," said Gillespie. "I think there's far too much negativity. I understand people are paid to have an opinion but there's constructive criticism... They [former players] do get stuck into the players a lot. I think it's unfair and uncalled for.
Pakistan's interim head coach Aaqib Javed stresses the need for continuity after their Champions Trophy first-round exit.
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"What these former players have got to understand, they were wonderful cricketers for Pakistan no question, I'm not debating that, but the current players and the former players have got a bond, and that bond is they've all put on that green cap and they wear that badge over their heart on their shirt, the Pakistan badge. So they've all got something in common, they're part of a special club that have represented the country of Pakistan.
"The former players have got to remember they were in the current players' shoes once upon a time as well. So they know what it's like. Maybe they can change the narrative and be a bit more supportive in their various media roles."
During Pakistan's disappointing home Champions Trophy campaign, Shoaib Akhtar criticised Babar Azam's strike rate in the side's tournament opener against New Zealand. Speaking on Tapmad's Game On Hai post-match analysis show, the former fast bowler said: "Babar Azam has become the product he had to become, it is visible, what can I debate about it? There is no intention to improve."
Also read: Babar's ODI problem isn't intent alone, it's skill
Other notable former Pakistan players have also been vocal in their criticism of the side in the last few months, including Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi and Ramiz Raja.
Gillespie also voiced criticism of interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, who took over from him for the period until the end of the Champions Trophy. Yesterday, March 6, Gillespie was also critical of Javed on social media replying to a containing quotes from Javed stating that he "was clearly undermining Gary [Kirsten, former Pakistan white-ball coach] and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats". Gillespie also labelled Javed as "a clown".
On the PakPassion podcast, Gillespie said of Javed: "He made it clear he wanted to be the chief selector and how he wanted the team to go about their work. That's fine, that's his role, but ultimately when he took on the job - and I don't know what conversations were going on behind the scenes, but it always felt that there were things going on that I certainly wasn't aware of. It didn't surprise me when he was announced as interim coach. That was always on the cards in my opinion, I always felt that was going to happen. Read into that how you want.
"But, ultimately, the buck stops with him now, with this performance at the Champions Trophy. He wanted the role and he wanted complete control, he got it, and the performance wasn't there. He has to bear a lot of responsibility, I think the selectors have to bear a lot of responsibility for the squad that they picked to play in this tournament. We saw the results, and the results weren't good enough."
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