Islamabad: National cricket team head coach Aqib Javed came out in support of the players.
Addressing a press conference, Aqib Javed said that Pakistan had selected the best team but the performance did not come as per expectations, which is a fact.
He clarified that there are no apologies in cricket and there is hope for the team before every match, which we also support. The players themselves are also disappointed with the performance, the nation should believe that the team is trying its best. Emotions are different in the match between India and Pakistan.
Regarding the match against India, Aqib Javed said that if Pakistan had scored around 300, it could have been a good match. When there is no good total, the bowlers have to attack more.
He said that it is necessary to have impact players in big matches, the absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman made a difference. Sufyan Mustaqim and Irfan Niazi did not have exposure in ODIs.
Aqib Javed further said that in ODIs, a combination of seven batsmen and four bowlers is used, and since Saim Ayub could also bowl some overs with batting, Khushdil Shah was included in the team in his place.
He described Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi as the most experienced players in the team and said that Pakistan had fielded its best available team. He praised Saud Shakeel’s performance and said that he had earned his place through hard work.
