The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to renew the contract of red-ball assistant coach Tim Nielsen, prompting head coach Jason Gillespie to reportedly explore other options ahead of the upcoming Test tour of South Africa.
Nielsen, appointed as the "high-performance red-ball coach" in August 2024, saw his contract expire following Pakistan's recent tour of Australia.
Despite expressing his commitment to the upcoming longer-format series against South Africa and the West Indies, Nielsen revealed that the PCB had informed him that his services were no longer required.
The decision, which caught the former South Australian cricketer off guard, has reportedly left him frustrated.
Sources close to the matter indicate that he was not consulted before the decision was made, further intensifying his dissatisfaction with the board.
Gillespie’s unease with the PCB stems from recent administrative changes. In October, he was removed from the Test side's selection panel, with his role reduced to that of a "match-day strategist."
Since the conclusion of Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, where he briefly served as interim coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation, communication between the board and the former Australian legend has reportedly been minimal.
Adding to Gillespie's frustration is his belief in Nielsen's strong rapport with the players.
Both Kirsten and the coach of the longer format suspected that Nielsen's absence from Pakistan contributed to the non-renewal of his contract, despite his availability for the full South Africa and West Indies tours.
The PCB's reluctance to extend Nielsen's contract aligns with its broader trend of prioritizing locally based coaching staff.
The board previously expressed dissatisfaction with overseas coaches' limited time spent in Pakistan—a criticism that also preceded Kirsten’s resignation in October.
However, Gillespie consistently defended his adherence to contractual obligations concerning his presence in Pakistan.
His current deal runs until mid-2026, and his departure—whether through resignation or dismissal—could have significant financial implications for the PCB.
Meanwhile, Gillespie has not ruled out stepping down from his position before the South Africa series, with his decision likely depending on the terms of his exit.
The PCB has yet to announce a replacement for Nielsen, creating uncertainty about the coaching structure for the crucial Test series.
The 49-year-old red-ball coach is expected to travel from his home in Australia to South Africa on December 13.
The two-match Test series is set to begin on December 26 in Centurion, followed by the second Test in Cape Town, starting on January 3.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.
