The chaotic scene that is Pakistani cricket continued Monday as the country's cricket board confirmed Kamilaroi former test seamer Jason Gillespie would take charge of the upcoming two Tests against South Africa.

The confirmation comes less than 24 hours after ESPNcricinfo reported Gillespie, who replaced former South African international Gary Kirsten as coach of the white ball side just last month, would be replaced by former Pakistani player Aaqib Javed - who was recently appointed convenor of the men's cricket selection committee.

Gillespie, who is in Australia coaching Pakistan on their ODI and T20 tour, was originally signed to oversee the test side, with Kirsten to take charge of the white ball team.

However, when Kirsten stood down barely six months into the role, Gillespie took over both formats - reportedly without any additional financial incentive.

Multiple local reports suggested Gillespie's job was under threat, with Aaqib being touted to take over all formats, but the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to deny this early on Monday.

Citing the ESPNcricinfo story, the PCB wrote on Twitter: "PCB strongly refutes the story. As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa."

PCB strongly refutes the story. As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa. https://t.co/J5MYKuq368

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 17, 2024

They offered no statement on Gillespie's position beyond the tour, despite him being contracted until 2026. Pakistan will host the West Indies in a two-test series immediately following the South African tour.

It is understood the PCB has sounded out Gillespie to take over the Pakistani ODI side for the Champions Trophy - scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan in February - but without any financial incentive, which Gillespie declined.

The PCB then began looking at local candidates.

Furthermore, it is understood that the PCB is disappointed Gillespie hasn't spent more time in Pakistan - a reason they privately used to explain Kirsten leaving, and what the Bangladeshi Cricket board used in part to explain sacking Chandika Hathurusinghe last month.

Gillespie has said he has spent every day in Pakistan that his contract requires, as well as travelling with the tour of Darwin without financial remuneration as a gesture of goodwill.

Gillespie's time as coach has been mixed, with a disastrous test series loss against Bangladesh superseded by a come from behind 2-1 test series win against England. Pakistan lost the first test against England in dramatic fashion, only to surge and win the next two contests emphatically.

After only three tests in charge, Aaqib was hired by the PCB as part of yet another revamped selection panel, which reduced Gillespie's power dramatically. He was no longer able to have a say in who was selected in matches or for a series and was removed from the selection committee.

Even after the second test win against England, Gillespie kept credit for the victory at arm's length.

"The PCB came out and made some changes after that Test match," he told reporters ahead of the third test, which Pakistan would go on to win.

"It was decided that a new selection panel would come in and they would be making decisions. I was not involved in the decision-making; I was just there. I'm now just the coach on match-day strategy. I just keep out of things now and just focus on the players and getting them ready for cricket."

Asked about the team make up, he doubled down: "It's not for me to talk about now. I'm no longer a selector, so I'm probably not the person to ask."

He later told Sky Sports the role "wasn't what I signed up for".

"I think there's always frustrations from time to time," Gillespie said.

"For me, when I came on board with Pakistan cricket, I was told there was a long-term plan, and we need to make sure our communication's spot on. I made that a real focus and so you can get frustrated if those things aren't done how you would like."

Having warned about short-term thinking when he came on board, he stated: "It wasn't what I signed up for, I'll be completely honest. But this is one of those situations in which you just need to go with the flow."

"As I said, I'm in a different environment and things are done differently. One can agree or disagree with how things are done, but ultimately, I'm here to help the Pakistan team do well, help the players get better, improve. So, I've put all my focus and energy into that."

Pakistan, who are trailing Australia 2-0, play their final T20 match of the tour in Hobart on Monday night.