Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has taken a swipe at Pakistan’s interim head coach Aaqib Javed, calling him a “clown” for his remarks regarding the team’s struggles and his push to become the full-time coach across all formats.

Javed, while addressing a press conference following Pakistan’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, had expressed concerns over the frequent changes in the coaching staff and selection committee, suggesting that instability at the top was a key factor in the team’s underwhelming performances.

“We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years or so,” Javed said. “You put that formula on any team in the world, I think they will also be in the same situation.

Until you get consistency right from the top down to the bottom, from the chairman down, then your team will not progress.”

Pakistan, the hosts of this year’s Champions Trophy, failed to advance past the group stage after losses to India and New Zealand, with their final match against Bangladesh being washed out.

Gillespie, who played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, was quick to dismiss Javed’s comments, calling them “hilarious.” Taking to social media platform Threads, the former Australia pacer ridiculed Javed’s statements, accusing him of maneuvering behind the scenes to secure the coaching role.

“It’s a bit rich of Aaqib Javed to blame ‘instability’ when he himself went behind the backs of Gary Kirsten and myself to take over the Pakistan team,” Gillespie wrote.

Pakistan cricket has seen a revolving door of coaching and selection appointments in recent years, with numerous changes at the administrative level as well. The uncertainty has led to growing criticism, with several former players and analysts calling for a long-term, structured approach to team management.

Javed, a former Test pacer himself, had previously coached Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has been vocal about his ambitions to take on a permanent role with the national side. However, his tenure as interim coach has already come under scrutiny, particularly following Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the Champions Trophy.