Pakistan’s interim head coach Aqib Javed expressed his confidence in the national team’s ability to defend the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy title as they host the prestigious tournament next month.
Aqib, while speaking at the recent episode of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Podcast, shared that the upcoming tri-nation series against South Africa and New Zealand, will help the management and selection committee in decision-making for the eight-team tournament.
He further emphasised that the green shirts can benefit from their home conditions and successfully defend the prestigious title, which they won under wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership in 2017 by defeating arch-rivals India in a one-sided final.
“Tri-nation [series] before Champions Trophy is a good opportunity and it is against major teams. South Africa is a top side then New Zealand. So, it will help in clearing a couple of doubts in the decision-making,” said Aqib.
“Champions Trophy in Pakistan, in front of our fans, we are very excited and I think, Pakistan can repeat that. We are still the defending champions,” he added.
Aqib then shared his plans of expanding the pool of players in a bid to ensure rotational policy for national players and also to develop separate teams for different formats.
“The way cricket is evolving, we will have to increase our players’ pool. For that, you need to take brave decisions sometimes,” said Aqib.
“You can’t carry a player for 12 months. So, we have to develop not entirely but to some extent different teams for red-ball and white-ball cricket so that the players remain fresh and interested.
“So, gaps are essential and I noticed when players stay in match mood, they do not even get the time to improve their personal skills; be it physical or technical.
“The strive would be to give them four to six weeks of rest after three months so that they can work on their skills, regain physical fitness because our focus is how to carry them for 10 to 12 years at the top.”