Jason Gillespie has slammed his Pakistan coaching successor Aaqib Javed as “a clown” after he blamed instability in the team and the PCB for a failed Champions Trophy campaign — having himself “undermined” the Australian to become coach.

Watch every match of the 2025 Indian Premier League LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Pakistan failed to get out of the group stage at the Champions Trophy, which was even more disappointing given that it came in the nation’s long-awaited return to hosting ICC events after three decades.

Comments from Aaqib were posted in a social media graphic, reading: “We changed 16 coaches in the last 2.5 years and 26 selectors, if you do this to any team around the world, their performance will be like this too.”

Gillespie fired back, saying that Aaqib had contributed to the instability by undermining his position as Test coach and also South African great Gary Kirsten as white-ball coach.

“This is hilarious. Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats. He is a clown,” Gillespie wrote on Threads, in response to the post.

Gillespie resigned as red-ball coach in December, after being stripped of selection powers amid other clashes with the PCB, which included a refusal to renew the contract of his assistant, Tim Nielsen.

Kirsten had resigned in October for similar reasons.

The Australian fast-bowling great hinted at his frustration before his exit, saying: “I think there’s always frustrations from time to time. It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest.”

Aaqib, meanwhile, is the latest Pakistan boss under massive pressure after the dismal Champions Trophy performance, which included a defeat to bitter rivals India — who are now into the final against New Zealand.

Pakistan also lost to the Black Caps, while their match against Bangladesh was washed out.

“You want to take Pakistan cricket forward, then you need to have consistency and continuity in policies in our cricket, starting from the PCB chairman to the players,” Aaqib, a former Pakistan paceman, said after Pakistan’s exit.

“Since last year, see how many captains, coaches, selectors, and board Chairmen have changed. This is never an ideal situation for the team, and it does affect their performances.

“In the past, we have always beaten India by taking wickets and applying pressure. This team had the ability to beat India, but the pressure of the match got to them… It is never easy playing against India. It is always a high-pressure game, and it is never easy for new players.

“I can understand the hurt and frustration at our failure, but we need to understand neither can you judge a player or team on the basis of one or two series. You need to be more consistent and patient,”