Aaqib comes in defence of team after two drubbings

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan team’s interim Head Coach Aaqib Javed hinted at bringing in youngsters for the away series against New Zealand and at the same time announced that there was no need to make drastic changes.

“There is a requirement to bring the changes by including youngsters in the team for the series against New Zealand. But you cannot make drastic changes in the team. That would not be good for Pakistan cricket.”

Aaqib defended the team on their poor show in the Champions Trophy where they are looking for their first win going into the last match against Bangladesh on Thursday. “Every player is upset about not being able to make it to the semis. Players are upset as they did not give their best when it comes to playing quality cricket on crunch time.”

Commenting on the match against India, Aaqib admitted that the team should have scored around 300 to make a match out of it. “India has got a formidable batting line-up and the score of less than 300 against them was never an ideal one. We should have touched 300 to make a match out of it. Even when it came to bowling, we required some early wickets to put pressure on Indians. Defending 240 against the Indian batting line up is not an easy task.”

One of the reasons behind the poor show against India and New Zealand, he said, was the lack of experience and exposure of the team members. “Our team members lacked experience if we compare it with other leading teams around the world. We need to give more experience and exposure to our key cricketers if we want consistent performance from them.”

Aaqib said that the India team fully utilized their playing all the matches in one venue. “Day in and out, India team is practicing and playing at Dubai Sports City Ground. They are there for a reason as conditions suit them. India is fully utilizing one ground option.”

Aaqib during his media talk at the Pindi Stadium Media Centre continued to give reasons for poor performance. “We lost against India in 1992, 1996 and 1999 World Cups. Our cricketers did not put up their best efforts and that turned out to be the reasons for defeat.”

He pleaded for continuity in the team rather than initiating a big reshuffle. “I respect these players. They are the best we have. There is a requirement for continuity and putting faith in these players.”

Aaqib suggested that PCB should follow long-term policy in grooming youngsters. On team selection for the Champions Trophy, he said that both Sufyan Moqeem and Irfan Khan Niazui lacked international exposure. “We just have two to three players having vast international experience.

Cricketers like Saud Shakil earned his place in the team.” He admitted that injuries to Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman were critical. “We missed both openers. Their injuries upset our rhythm.”