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Jason Gillespie resigns as head coach of Pakistan Test team

Published

12 months ago

2024/12/13

Priyan

Jason Gillespie has been unhappy with the PCB in recent times (Cricbuzz)

Jason Gillespie has resigned as the coach of the Pakistan Test team. He communicated his decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (December 12), hours before the team was to set out for South Africa for a two-Test series.

This was confirmed to Cricbuzz by the PCB. “He has resigned,” a spokesman for the Pakistan Board said without elaborating. Gillespie’s exit was largely on the expected lines after the PCB refused to renew the contract of his assistant coach Tim Nielsen. It is said that both Gillespie and Nielsen had a good working relations.

Late on Thursday night the PCB said Aaqib Javed will take over as red ball coach on an interim basis. Aaqib had earlier also been appointed as the interim head coach of the white-ball team following Gary Kirsten’s resignation and is with the Pakistan white-ball currently in South Africa, for the three T20Is and three ODIs.

“The PCB has named Aaqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach following the resignation of red-ball head-coach Jason Gillespie,” the Pakistan Board said in a statement.

Aaqib’s first assignment as red-ball head coach will be Pakistan’s two-match Test series against South Africa. The first Test is scheduled at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 to 30 December. The second Test will be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from 3 to 7 January.

The developments have come at a time when Pakistan cricket continues to be in the news and not necessarily for the right reasons. The PCB is entangled in a protracted standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the Champions Trophy fiasco and there appears no end to the matter.

In the midst of the Champions Trophy impasse, the PCB is now having to deal with an on-field cricketing exigency. Gillespie, a former Australian pacer, was believed to be upset with a few recent decisions of the PCB and the Nielsen situation was the proverbial last straw that broke the back of the camel.

Gillespie was signed by the PCB earlier this year for two years for the red ball team. But he has been unhappy with PCB for quite some time as he was kept out of the loop in a few key decisions during recent home series against England.

The Gillespie affair comes close on the heels of the exit of Kirsten as the white ball coach. Kirsten was recruited along with Gillespie in April this year but the South African decided to move on in October. That two foreign coaches could not survive for even six months is not a great advertisement for Pakistan cricket. Given the Kirsten-Gillespie saga, the PCB may struggle to convince a foreign coach to take charge of its teams.

Gillespie’s first assignment was Pakistan’s home Test series against Bangladesh which the hosts lost 0-2. He also oversaw Pakistan’s 2-1 victory against England when they came back after losing the opening Test. He was also with the Pakistan white-ball team in Australia in November after Kirsten’s resignation. Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1 but were clean-swept in the T20I series by Australia.

(Cricbuzz)

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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

2 hours ago

2025/12/11

Priyan

The Level III landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600 hrs on Friday [12th December 2025]

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Rideegama, Mawathagama and Mallawapitiya in the Kurunegala district, and Yatawatta, Ambanganga Korale, Wilgamuwa, Laggala Pallegama, Rattota, Pallepola, Naula, Matale and Ukuwela in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella, Aranayaka, Galigamuwa and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Thalawakele, Walapane, Kothmale West, Nuwara Eliya, Mathurata, Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Ambagamuwa Korale and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kolonna, Kahawaththa and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Balangoda, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Kiriella and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.

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Bulgarian PM and government resign after mass protests

Published

3 hours ago

2025/12/11

Priyan

The centre of Sofia filled with tens of thousands of protesters on Wednesday night calling for the government to go [BBC]

The government of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has resigned after protesters took to the streets in cities across the country and filled the centre of the capital Sofia on Wednesday night.

Zhelyazkov’s dramatic move came ahead of a vote of no confidence in parliament, and 20 days before Bulgaria joins the euro.

Protesters had accused his minority centre-right government, in power since January, of widespread corruption. The government had already scrapped a controversial budget plan for next year in response to the demonstrations last week.

“We hear the voice of citizens protesting against the government,” Zhelyazkov said in a TV address.

“Both young and old have raised their voices for our resignation,” he added. “This civic energy must be supported and encouraged.” A statement on the government website said ministers would continue in their roles until a new cabinet was elected.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 people turned out in Sofia’s central Triangle of Power and Independence Square on Wednesday evening calling for the government to go. The words “Resignation” and “Mafia Out” were projected onto the parliament building.

They were backed last week by President Rumen Radev who had also called on the government to stand down.

Reuters Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov speaks to the media before announcing the resignation of his government — *Rosen Zhelyazkov has been in office for less than a year [BBC]*

[BBC]

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Sri Lanka grateful for the support extended by the United States and other friendly nations following the recent disaster – President

Published

3 hours ago

2025/12/11

Priyan

During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today (11), Ms. Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, expressed her confidence in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership in steering Sri Lanka’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. She affirmed that the United States stands ready to provide any necessary support to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery.

Ms. Hooker also conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims of the disaster and expressed satisfaction at being able to extend assistance during this challenging period.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conveyed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the President of the United States and the government in dispatching various relief teams to the country during this challenging period. The President also acknowledged the sincere support offered to Sri Lanka by all friendly nations globally, including the United States.

President Dissanayake highlighted that Sri Lanka encountered this disaster while the nation’s economy was on the path to stabilization and economic indicators were showing improvement. He emphasized the need for future focus on enhancing the livelihoods of those affected and on the long-term development of infrastructure facilities.

The President stated that restoring infrastructure, including highways and railways, as well as key income sources such as agriculture, livestock and small to medium-sized enterprises, which have been devastated by floods and landslides, will require time. He also expressed the expectation of support from all friendly nations in this effort.

The Under Secretary of State emphasized that the United States has drawn its attention to restarting discussions regarding US tariffs. Additionally, she expressed support for enhancing tourism between the United States and Sri Lanka, as well as for the growth of trade and maritime operations between the two nations. Furthermore, she highlighted U.S. support for Sri Lanka’s initiatives to combat drug-related issues.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that a significant number of American tourists have visited the country recently and that Sri Lanka anticipates a continued increase in such arrivals. He acknowledged the support of the U.S. government in assisting the Sri Lankan people to overcome the ongoing disaster and improve their quality of life.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and members of the U.S. diplomatic mission, including U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chang.