Latest news with #ConnectionCamp
India.com
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Jason Gillespie Slams PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi For Skipping Team-Building Camp: ‘Couldn't Even Drive 20 Minutes'
Former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie has once again turned the spotlight on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, questioning his leadership commitment in a stinging remark that has sent ripples through the cricketing community. Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Gillespie revealed that while he and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten flew across continents to attend a vital team-building session in person, the PCB chief chose to dial in via Zoom—despite being located just minutes away from the venue in Lahore. 'Gary came up with this great idea of a Connection Camp… I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in via Zoom. He is based in Lahore but did not come. We both felt the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here – that was a bit unusual,' Gillespie said, making his disappointment clear. This public criticism reflects deeper issues plaguing the PCB's internal dynamics and raises serious concerns about the board's unity and direction—especially at a time when the national team desperately needs clear leadership and cohesion. What Was the Connection Camp and Why It Mattered Held on September 23, 2024, the Connection Camp was a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening communication, trust, and team bonding within Pakistan's national cricket setup. Designed by Gary Kirsten, the session brought together key players including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan. With both head coaches—Gillespie and Kirsten—physically present, the camp was meant to foster openness and alignment ahead of a crucial cricketing season. The absence of the board's top figure from such a significant initiative sent a contradictory message that did not sit well with the coaching staff, hinting at possible disconnects between the PCB leadership and the team management. Leadership by Presence: Why Naqvi's Absence Raises Red Flags In modern-day professional sports, symbolism and leadership visibility matter just as much as strategy. Gillespie's remarks underscore the frustration many within the PCB's inner circles have been feeling—about what they perceive as a lack of support and proactive involvement from the top brass. In the backdrop of Gillespie and Kirsten's eventual resignations citing "authority issues" with the PCB, Naqvi's absence from the camp appears less like an isolated oversight and more like a symptom of larger structural problems. The fact that Naqvi stayed away despite being in Lahore, while both coaches flew thousands of miles, adds weight to Gillespie's critique and further validates the narrative of growing dissatisfaction among high-level cricketing professionals working under the PCB's current regime. Changes in Selection Committee Hint at Structural Overhaul Meanwhile, the PCB's recent announcement on changes within the men's selection committee suggests that efforts are being made—however incrementally—to restructure and move forward. While Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed, and Aleem Dar retain their roles, the appointment of Usman Hashmi as a non-voting data analyst replacing Hassan Cheema indicates a subtle shift toward a more performance-driven selection approach. Interestingly, PCB's recent statement also pointed to a more inclusive team selection process, involving head coaches and team captains for each format—perhaps a move to prevent the kind of disenchantment that led to Gillespie and Kirsten's resignations.
NDTV
14-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Could Not Even...': Ex-Pakistan Coach Jason Gillespie's Harsh Dig
Former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie has taken a dig at Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi for the latter's absence from a crucial team-building session for the senior men's cricket team. The session was named "Connection Camp". Gillespie has alleged that while he and then white-ball coach of the team, Gary Kirsten, flew from Australia and South Africa, respectively, to be in person for the session, Naqvi got connected online. "Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom," Gillespie told The Howie Games podcast, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan. "He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here - that was a bit unusual," he added. The connection camp was organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board on September 23, 2024. It was done with an aim to improve communication, bonding, and performance in the national team. Senior players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood were part of the session. Notably, Gillespie and Gary Kirsten were appointed as the red-ball and white-ball head coaches of Pakistan cricket team in April last year on two-year contracts, but seven-eight months down the line, they resigned citing issues with the PCB over their authority. In a major development regarding its men's selection committee, the PCB recently confirmed that four out of the five members will continue in their roles. The panel will still include Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed, and former umpire Aleem Dar, as per ESPNcricinfo. The only adjustment involves Usman Hashmi, who has been appointed as the new data analyst, replacing Hassan Cheema. However, unlike Cheema, Hashmi will not hold voting rights and will serve purely in the selection committee. Reports of a complete overhaul had gained momentum recently, prompting the PCB to release an official statement refuting such reports. Interestingly, the statement also hinted at a more inclusive approach moving forward--suggesting that both the head coach and the captain of each format would now be consulted in the team selection process. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ex-Pakistan Test team coach Jason Gillespie shares 'unusual' move by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi
Jason Gillespie. (Photo by) Former Pakistan Test cricket coach Jason Gillespie has criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his absence from a crucial team-building session called the Connection Camp held on September 23, 2024, despite being located in Lahore while other officials traveled from different continents to attend the meeting. The Connection Camp was organised by the PCB with the aim of enhancing communication, collaboration, and performance within the national team. Both Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten travelled significant distances to participate in the session. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom," Gillespie stated during a podcast appearance. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments Gillespie expressed his disappointment with Naqvi's decision to participate virtually rather than attending in person. "He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here - that was a bit unusual," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The camp featured participation from several prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam , Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood. The PCB's Chief Operating Officer described the initiative as timely. Gillespie's criticism adds to the recent controversies surrounding PCB. The former Australian cricketer, who stepped down from his position as Pakistan's Test coach last year, highlighted the disparity between the commitment shown by international coaches and the local leadership.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ex-Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie takes brutal dig at PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi: ‘Gary came up with this…'
PCB have found itself in fresh controversy, with former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie taking a brutal dig at Mohsin Naqvi. The former Pakistan head coach alleged that the PCB chairman for absence from a key team-building session, known as the Connection Camp. Speaking on a podcast, Gillespie recalled that the work done by himself and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten to attend the camp, which was also initially by the latter, received a lack of engagament from Naqvi. 'Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom,' he said. 'He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here - that was a bit unusual,' he added. The camp was held by PCB on September 23, 2024, and its agenda was to improve communication, collaboration and performance among the national team. The participants in the camp were Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood. Meanwhile, the camp was described as a timely initiative by PCB COO. Gillespie resigned as Pakistan Test coach last year.
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Gillespie takes a dig at PCB Chief Naqvi
Jason Gillespie resigned as the national team's Test coach just days before the South Africa Test series last year. Photo: AFP/File Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has once again taken a dig at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for absence from a crucial team-building session, known as the "Connection Camp." Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Gillespie recounted the efforts made by himself and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten to attend the campinitiated by Kirstenonly to find a noticeable lack of engagement from the top PCB official. "Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in Zoom," said Gillespie. "He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here - that was a bit unusual." he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board held the camp on September 23, 2024, with the aim of improving communication, collaboration, and performance among the national team. The session featured eight senior players, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood. PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer had described the camp as a timely initiative ahead of a packed cricketing calendar, with its primary objective being the development of a unified vision and mission for the national team. It is pertinent to mention that the former Australian pacer resigned as the national team's Test coach just days before the South Africa Test series last year. Bowlers surge in rankings Pakistan bowlers have made significant gains in the latest ICC T20I rankings, thanks to their impressive performances in recent international fixtures. In the bowling rankings, Pakistan pacers Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi have surged forward, both occupying the joint 18th position with 605 rating points. Left-arm speedster Shaheen Afridi has also moved up, now holding the 35th spot with 552 points. Pakistan's T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan climbed to 58th place in the rankings, alongside spinner Abrar Ahmed, both earning 476 points. However, young bowlers Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem have slipped in the standings, now placed at 92nd and 95th positions with 407 and 406 points, respectively. New Zealand's Jacob Duffy currently leads the T20I bowling charts, while England's Adil Rashid has claimed the second spot, pushing India's Varun Chakaravarthy down to third. In the T20I batting rankings, Pakistan's star duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have retained their 12th and 13th positions, respectively. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris also holds firm at the 30th spot. However, emerging middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz has slipped to 46th place, while Saim Ayub has dropped to 62nd. Pakistan T20I captain (name omitted in original text) has fallen two spots to 76th with 430 rating points, and Fakhar Zaman has slipped one place to 87th. Australia's Travis Head continues to dominate the T20I batting rankings, followed by India's Abhishek Sharma in second. England's Phil Salt has dropped to fourth place, as young Indian batter Tilak Varma rises to third.
