Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aqib Javed, has firmly backed his players following their tri-nation series loss to New Zealand. Emphasizing the bigger picture, Aqib quickly pointed out in a press conference that a few underwhelming performances do not define a player’s talent. Speaking after the tri-nation series final in Karachi, Aaqib Javed stressed the importance of selecting the best possible options in ODI cricket.
“Some players manage situations well, while others might struggle in a match or two. That doesn’t mean they lack talent,” Javed asserted. He also acknowledged that Pakistan had some unfortunate setbacks, including Babar Azam’s early dismissals in all three matches and Saim Ayub’s injury, which disrupted the team’s plans.
Aqib Javed, however, had some pointers for his players after acknowledging that modern-day ODI cricket has evolved, particularly between the 11th and 40th overs, where aggressive yet calculated play is required. He advised batters to focus on utilizing the four fielders outside the inner circle rather than playing rash shots.
Addressing Babar Azam’s promotion to the opening slot, Javed downplayed concerns, noting that moving a No. 3 batter to open is not a major adjustment, especially in overseas conditions where swing and movement make shot selection more critical. “On certain pitches, Babar should open. He is due for a big innings, and I am confident that when the country needs it most, he will deliver,” he said.
With the tri-nation series final loss in the rearview mirror, Aqib Javed and the Pakistan team now shift focus to fine-tuning their approach for the upcoming Champions Trophy. If Pakistan manages to deliver on their previous laurels, Aqib may find himself at the helm of the team with the PCB dropping the prefix “interim” from his title.
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