Rawalpindi, February 26, 2025 – Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, has defended the national team’s selection following their disappointing exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Javed emphasized that the squad was chosen on merit but acknowledged that performances had fallen short of expectations.
“Pakistan selected the best available players, but the results haven’t met expectations—that’s the reality,” he admitted. “Some players are vital for specific matches. Everyone in the squad earned their place based on performance. Right now, apart from Babar Azam, what other options do we have?”
Javed dismissed excuses in professional cricket and stressed the importance of belief in the team’s efforts. “The players themselves are disappointed. The nation must trust that they are giving their best,” he added, highlighting the intensity of Pakistan-India encounters.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s loss to India, Javed suggested that a stronger total would have made the contest more competitive. “A score closer to 300 would have given our bowlers a better chance. Without enough runs, they are forced to take aggressive risks,” he explained.
He also pointed out the impact of missing key players, stating that Pakistan lacked experienced match-winners in high-pressure games. “The absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman was felt. Sufiyan Muqeem and Irfan Niazi lacked ODI exposure,” he noted.
Defending team selection, Javed justified Khushdil Shah’s inclusion, citing his ability to contribute with the ball as a replacement for Ayub. He reiterated that the standard ODI combination remains a seven-batsman, four-bowler setup.
Backing Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi’s leadership, Javed maintained that Pakistan fielded the best possible squad. He also praised Saud Shakeel for his hard work in securing a spot in the team.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their final ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixture on Thursday at Rawalpindi.
