Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who has previously served as Pakistan’s head coach, is set to return to Pakistan ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The experienced coach is expected to take charge as the head coach of the Hyderabad franchise for the upcoming season, which begins on March 26.
Jason Gillespie left his role as head coach of Pakistan’s Test team after a short tenure. He was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April 2024, but his tenure ended in December 2024. Gillespie raised concerns over management decisions and expressed frustration at poor communication across the board.
Jason Gillespie is ready to take over as Hyderabad head coach for PSL 2026
Jason Gillespie is set to take over as the head coach of the Hyderabad franchise. The development immediately attracted attention online, even before official confirmation. According to a Geo Super report published on Tuesday, the former Pakistan red-ball coach will officially assume the role.
Jason Gillespie has coaching experience from both domestic and international cricket. He has worked in English county cricket and various franchise leagues around the world, and has earned recognition for his focus on player development and strong tactical planning.
During his tenure with Pakistan, Jason Gillespie also briefly served as the interim coach of the limited overs team following the exit of Gary Kirsten. However, he raised concerns about serious communication problems within the setup.
In PSL 11, eight teams will participate in the tournament along with Hyderabad, Sialkot.
The Pakistan Super League will look different in its 11th edition as the tournament has expanded to eight teams. Two new franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will make their debut in this season.
Hyderabad secured their spot after owner Fawad Sarwar won the franchise auction with a bid of 1.75 billion rupees ($6,247,500). Pakistan Cricket Board has scheduled the PSL 11 players auction for February 11, which will take place during the auction workshop.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer led the session, which was attended by franchise owners, league officials, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup players and other capped cricketers. The discussions covered the team’s budget, base price, team cap, player retention and direct signings ahead of the auction.
Sialkot Stallions reveal identity as PSL 11 auction details announced
The newest team of the Pakistan Super League recently announced its name while sharing a launch video on Instagram, highlighting Sialkot’s strong cricket history.
The Stallions name was selected after considering several options, including the Falcons, Shaheen, Thunders and Sixers. The franchise worked with branding experts to create an identity that blends tradition with the league’s modern image.
Pakistan Super League has also confirmed that the player auction for its 11th season will take place on 11 February. All bidding will be conducted in Pakistani Rupees.
The base price for the top range has been set at PKR 42 million (approximately USD 151,000). Other categories have been fixed at PKR 22 million (USD 80,000), PKR 11 million (USD 40,000), and PKR 6 million (USD 21,500).
Also read: Pakistani cricketers rebel against Mohsin Naqvi and PCB for supporting Bangladesh in T20 World Cup controversy