"Because South Africa isn’t an easy place" - Former Pakistan cricketer’s subtle dig after Jason Gillespie steps down as head coach

Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie has stepped down as Pakistan's head coach just seven months after his appointment. He was initially named the team's Test coach earlier this year but also briefly served as the Men in Green's interim white-ball coach.

Gillespie's resignation came ahead of Pakistan's two-match away Test series against South Africa. Reacting to the 49-year-old's exit, former Pakistani batter Basit Ali remarked that the ex-Australian cricketer was spot on with the timing of his departure.

Basit suggested that Gillespie decided to resign before the South Africa series and not after because it was a challenging assignment. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert remarked (from 6:49):

"He has made a very good decision not to go to South Africa. Why will he not go? Because South Africa isn't an easy place. Keep everything in mind."

In his video, Basit added that Gillespie benefited from his coaching stint with Pakistan as he was able to improve his resume, stating (from 5:29):

"Jason Gillespie wanted to make his CV, which he did. This was the best time for him to step down. Winning the series against England was a very big achievement. What happens in our country? People just make their CVs."

It is worth mentioning that Jason Gillespie's highlight from his tenure with Pakistan's red-ball team was the side's 2-1 Test series win at home against England earlier this year.

---

"Bring the Prime Minister from outside too" - Basit Ali's take on Pakistan's over-dependence on overseas officials

In the same video, Basit Ali was asked whether roping in a Pakistani coach would be the right move, given that favoritism has been a big concern. He sarcastically mentioned that a time would come when people would want a foreigner to be their Prime Minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

He said (from 10:11):

"Bring the chairman from outside too then. Does the chairman not appoint those whom he likes? In our country, the ones in charge of the State Bank also come from outside, right? One day, we will have to say that brother, bring the Prime Minister from outside too."

Basit also reckoned that after parting ways with Pakistan, it won't be a surprise if Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten get a lot of coaching offers from other teams, adding (from 7:42):

"When Mickey Arthur was removed, people said that perhaps there would be no foreign coaches in Pakistan. Now, when these two have stepped down, you will see that they will get offers from other countries and franchises. They might go to the IPL."

Meanwhile, following Jason Gillespie's exit, former Pakistani pacer Aaqib Javed has been named the side's interim red-ball coach for the South Africa series.