Aaqib Javed Appointed Interim Head Coach of Pakistan’s White-Ball Teams Until 2025 Champions Trophy

Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast bowler and ex-head coach of the UAE men's national team, has been named the interim head coach of Pakistan's men's white-ball teams until the end of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the decision on Monday, citing Javed’s extensive experience and senior role within the national selection committee.

Javed, who is also a current member of the PCB's men's selection committee, will assume full responsibility for the white-ball teams during this critical phase. The PCB has stated that the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach will begin soon, with the aim of completing the appointment by the end of the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi explained the rationale behind the appointment. “We’ve temporarily asked Aaqib Javed to take over as head coach until the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi said. “We don’t want to rush into bringing in another coach who might not be the right fit. During this three-month gap, Aaqib will focus on the team, and after that, we’ll evaluate the situation and consider his future role.”

Naqvi also clarified that Javed’s appointment would be strictly for the white-ball formats (ODIs and T20Is) and in an interim capacity. The PCB will begin its search for a permanent head coach over the next 10-15 days, with an emphasis on finding the right candidate to lead Pakistan’s white-ball teams going forward.

Jason Gillespie, the current head coach of Pakistan’s Test team, will continue in his role and will join the squad for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa, which begins on December 26. Gillespie had been approached to take on additional responsibilities as the white-ball coach until the Champions Trophy, but he declined the offer without a change in his current contract.

The decision to appoint Javed comes at a pivotal time for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, with the team having lacked a full-time white-ball coach since the resignation of Gary Kirsten in late October. In the interim, Gillespie had taken on additional duties for the ongoing white-ball tour of Australia. Pakistan recently won the ODI series in Australia but lost the T20I series, highlighting the challenges ahead.

Aaqib Javed’s rise to the role of interim head coach has been swift, especially given his recent shift from his position as Lahore Qalandars’ head coach and director of cricket operations. Under his leadership, the Qalandars won back-to-back Pakistan Super League (PSL) titles, although they also experienced some underwhelming seasons. His departure from the Qalandars to focus on the PCB has marked the start of his highest-profile coaching assignment yet.

Javed’s credentials extend beyond domestic T20 leagues, with notable coaching stints in Sri Lanka and the UAE. He was credited with shaping the spin-friendly pitches during Pakistan’s recent home series against England, a move that helped turn the series in Pakistan’s favour. His deep understanding of the game, combined with his experience in managing both fast and spin bowling units, has made him a key figure in Pakistan’s cricket setup.

The appointment also places Javed in an unusual position within the PCB's coaching structure. As interim head coach of the white-ball teams, he will have a say in selection decisions across all formats, despite Jason Gillespie holding the role of full-time head coach for the Test side.

Pakistan's white-ball teams have a busy schedule ahead. After concluding their ongoing tour of Australia, where the ODI series has just ended, Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5. They will then travel to South Africa for a series that includes three T20Is (December 10-14) and three ODIs (December 17-22) before the two-Test series begins on December 26. The team will also play a two-Test series at home against the West Indies in January 2025 before hosting a short ODI tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.

With the PCB now focused on finalizing its coaching setup, all eyes will be on Javed to guide Pakistan through a critical period as they aim for success on home soil at the 2025 Champions Trophy.