Nielsen told ESPNcricinfo that he was happy to continue, and was fully available for Pakistan’s Test series in South Africa and at home against West Indies next month, but was informed that his services would no longer be required.
This appears to have been the final straw for Gillespie. ESPNcricinfo understands he communicated his intention not to travel to South Africa under present circumstances to the board. Whether the PCB has made contact with him to persuade him to travel is unclear. A source close to Gillespie said the PCB had made no contact with him over the past day. ESPNcricinfo has reached out to the PCB for comment.
Gillespie is believed to have had negligible input on the selection of the Test squad for the tour of South Africa, and was out of the loop for the decision not to extend Nielsen’s contract.
Gillespie’s anger is understood to partly stem from what he felt was a great rapport Nielsen had developed with the players, a point he had made more than once in public. It is believed both Gillespie and Nielsen consider the fact that Nielsen not being based in Pakistan was the reason his contract wasn’t extended. However, as Nielsen confirmed to ESPNcricinfo, he would have been entirely available for Pakistan’s upcoming two series: the tour of South Africa, and the home Tests against West Indies.
It remains unclear, though, what terms the PCB and Gillespie will ultimately part ways on should it come to that. If the PCB decides to sack him, they could potentially be on the hook for paying out the vast majority of what remains of his contract, which runs till mid-2026. Should Gillespie resign of his own accord, that payout is significantly lower.
Pakistan play three T20Is and ODIs each in South Africa, before the first Test begins in Centurion on December 26, and the second in Cape Town from January 3.
