Pakistan’s interim head coach Aaqib Javed has opened up on the team’s performance in the current cycle of World Test Championship (WTC). Javed feels that the Men in Green would have been in contention for a spot in the WTC Final had better decisions been taken earlier.
The former fast bowler also defended the team’s switch from pace to spin bowling in recent home Tests. Pakistan have prepared rank turners over the last few Tests at home and have continued adopting the same strategy for the ongoing home series against West Indies.
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Aaqib Javed on Pakistan’s performance in the current WTC cycle
While speaking to the reporters ahead of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies, Aaqib Javed was asked about the team’s performance in the overall WTC cycle. Javed wants his team to win every Test at home as he understands that the main aim of the World Test Championship is to do well at home.
“People are questioning the direction of our Test cricket. If better decisions had been made earlier, we might have been in the WTC Final or at least might have been in the race,” Javed said.
“The main aim of the World Test Championship is to win at home at any cost. If you win at home and manage to win at least 2-3 overseas Tests, then you’re a strong candidate for the final,” he observed.
Aaqib Javed said, “People are questioning the direction of our Test cricket. If better decisions had been made earlier, we might have been in the race for the WTC final.” pic.twitter.com/SMwDydlv6c
— junaiz (@dhillow_) January 24, 2025
Pakistan haven’t been at their best in home Tests in this WTC cycle. They lost 0-2 to Bangladesh after the T20 World Cup 2024 and then lost to England in the first Test of the series.
They even lost an away series to Australia and South Africa in this cycle to bow out of the race for the World Test Championship Final. Currently, they are eighth among the nine teams in the WTC standings.
Aaqib Javed defends Pakistan’s spin-friendly strategy for home
Aaqib Javed also defended the team’s strategy to prepare spin-friendly surfaces at home. Javed feels that a team needs to be picked based on the pitch and conditions which is the reason Sajid Khan didn’t find a place in the squad for the tour of South Africa.
“Recently, we went to South Africa and required just two wickets to win with 48 runs in the bank. But unfortunately, we couldn’t take the last two wickets. There was no spinner in that team. You need to select the team according to the conditions,” the former Pakistan pacer added.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have been at the forefront of Pakistan’s success in home Tests over the last few months. The duo helped the Men in Green win the last two Tests to clinch a series win over England. However, none of them played during the Test series in South Africa which Pakistan lost 0-2.
Pakistan favorites to win the second Test
Currently, Pakistan is 1-0 up in the ongoing Test series against West Indies. The second and final Test of the series will begin on January 25 at Multan. The pitch is expected to favor spin again as it did in the first Test.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were at the forefront of the team’s win in the first Test too. Left-arm spinner Noman picked up six wickets in the match which included a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
On the other hand, the offspinner Sajid Khan finished with figures of 4-65 and 5-50 across both innings to emerge as the Player of the Match. Pakistan will be favorites going into the second Test and are likely to complete a whitewash.