The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is just weeks away, and cricket fever is rising in Pakistan. As the defending champions, Pakistan has a lot riding on this tournament, especially since they’ll be playing in front of their home crowd. Aqib Javed, Pakistan’s interim head coach, is confident the team can deliver a repeat of their historic 2017 triumph.
The Road to the Champions Trophy
Speaking on the PCB Podcast, Aqib shared his excitement about the team’s preparations. With a tri-nation series against South Africa and New Zealand on the horizon, Pakistan has the perfect opportunity to fine-tune their squad and strategy. Aqib believes this series will not only boost the team’s morale but also help in making key decisions before the eight-team tournament kicks off.
“Tri-nation [series] before Champions Trophy is a good opportunity and it is against major teams,” he said. “South Africa is a top side, then New Zealand. So, it will help in clearing a couple of doubts in the decision-making.”
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Home Advantage: A Game-Changer
Playing at home is always special, and Aqib thinks Pakistan can capitalize on familiar conditions and passionate fans to defend their title successfully. The 2017 Champions Trophy win, where Pakistan crushed arch-rivals India in the final, is still fresh in the minds of cricket lovers. Aqib believes the team has what it takes to relive that glory.
“Champions Trophy in Pakistan, in front of our fans, we are very excited, and I think Pakistan can repeat that,” he shared confidently.
Expanding the Player Pool
Aqib also outlined his long-term vision for the team. He emphasized the need to develop a larger pool of players to manage workload and sustain performance levels. With cricket evolving at a breakneck pace, he believes rotational policies and specialized squads for different formats are the way forward.
“The way cricket is evolving, we will have to increase our players’ pool. For that, you need to take brave decisions sometimes,” Aqib explained.
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He stressed the importance of giving players breaks to work on their physical and technical skills, aiming to keep them at their peak for 10 to 12 years. This means focusing not just on the short-term but also on the future of Pakistan cricket.
Fresh and Ready for the Challenge
Aqib’s approach to player management is refreshing. By providing breaks and balancing workloads, he aims to keep the players mentally and physically sharp. “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,” he said.
This philosophy isn’t just about winning one tournament; it’s about creating a sustainable system that keeps players fresh and motivated for years to come.
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