Sustained Quality, Ruthlessness Key for Pakistan Against England, Says Coach Gillespie
“We showed glimpses of quality in the [recent] home Test series against Bangladesh, where we were really driving the game forward. We played some excellent cricket. [But] the issue was that we didn’t sustain it long enough. When we allowed our opponents to get into the game, they capitalised and pulled ahead. That’s where we let ourselves down,” he stated.
Gillespie, a former Australian Test fast bowler, emphasized the need for a more assertive approach, especially when Pakistan finds itself in a dominant position.
“So, what we need is a bit more ruthlessness. When we’re ahead, we need to stay ahead and make sure we really drive home that advantage,” he added.
“That’s the main takeaway from the Bangladesh series. There was some very good work done, but when we had a bad hour, it really set us back. We need to minimise those poor periods and maximise the good ones,” said Gillespie, who played 71 Tests from 1996-2006 claiming 259 wickets.
Gillespie emphasized the importance of playing disciplined cricket and capitalizing on opportunities against a team led by Ben Stokes.
“Well, Test cricket is exciting, isn’t it? And to play against a team like England, it certainly is exciting. It’s also a great opportunity to play in our home country. We feel we match up quite well against England, but we also recognise that they’re a very good cricket team and we need to play really well. So, our focus is going to be on playing disciplined, consistent Test cricket and staying in the game,” he said.
“If we stick to our disciplines and remain patient, the results will come.”
When reminded of Pakistan's 3-0 home whitewash against England in 2022 and their recent series defeat to Bangladesh, Gillespie reiterated the importance of ruthlessness when in a commanding position.
“As I mentioned earlier, it’s about being ruthless when you’re ahead. Once you gain the advantage, you have to find a way to maintain it,” he stressed.
“To be fair, Bangladesh played very well during certain periods, and they wrestled the advantage back from us. So, we need to ensure we don’t leave the door open for our opponents.”
Backing the Squad: Gillespie's Philosophy on Player Selection
“I really believe we do. There’s been a lot of discussion about the squad, whether we should make changes, bring certain players in, or take others out. But I’m a big believer in continuity and in backing and supporting players,” the 49-year-old coach asserted.
“We’ve got many fine cricketers in Pakistan, and for this [England] series, we had some really good discussions as a selection group. We debated honestly and openly, and ultimately, we decided to back and support our players and those already around the squad.”
Responding to questions regarding the omission of rising batter Kamran Ghulam and pacer Mohammad Ali from the 15-member squad for the England series, Gillespie clarified that he had communicated with the dropped players.
“After the selections were made, they were communicated to the players, and I followed up with further communication. I let them know that if they wanted to have further conversations, my door was open. The players understand that,” he said.
“What I’m learning is that the players understand my philosophy on selection. We want to back [the] players.”
Gillespie outlined his approach to managing the bowling unit, acknowledging the demanding schedule ahead.
He continued, “We’ll look to manage our bowlers, given the amount of cricket coming up across all formats. So, we may see some changes here and there with the bowlers. But with the batting group, I want to show faith and provide support.”
Preparing for England's Strength and 'Bazball'
Gillespie addressed the absence of key English players, including James Anderson (retired), Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson, but emphasized the need for thorough preparation.
“You mentioned three quality international cricketers, and we respect their absence. However, we can only prepare to play against the players that England has selected. While some of their players might be a bit inexperienced, they’ve shown that they can perform at the Test level.
“We need to ensure that we are as well-prepared and focused as possible to go out and deliver our best.”
Gillespie, who has never visited Multan, where Pakistan will play England in back-to-back Tests from October 7 to 19, sought to understand the conditions there.
“I’ve communicated with Tony Hemming, the head curator, who has provided feedback on what we can expect.”
Addressing the topic of England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style of play, Gillespie acknowledged its impact while emphasizing Pakistan’s own approach.
“It’s very clear how England approach their cricket. I don’t particularly like the term ‘Bazball’ but they do play aggressive cricket. We’ve seen them evolve their game and that’s how they want to play,” he said.
“We will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment to drive the game forward and exploit gaps. That’s our strategy,” Gillespie concluded.
A Chance to Prove Themselves: Gillespie's Message to the Squad
Gillespie, while expressing his belief in the squad, also acknowledged the possibility of making changes if performances do not meet expectations. He stated, “If performances are not at the required level over a prolonged period, we may consider making changes.”
This message serves as a reminder to the players that they have a chance to prove themselves and solidify their places in the test team. However, it also underscores the need for consistent performance and improvement as the series progresses.
Pakistan will be hoping to turn the tide from their recent struggles and secure a victory against England. The upcoming series offers a critical opportunity for the team to rebuild its confidence and demonstrate its true potential. The eyes of the cricketing world will be on Pakistan as they look to navigate this challenging series and reclaim their position as a formidable test team.
