Following their poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan’s temporary head coach, Aqib Javed, has discounted recommendations of implementing major changes to the national side.
Ahead of Pakistan’s last Champions Trophy group game against Bangladesh, Aqib spoke to the media stressing that losses are a shared responsibility rather than the result of a few people’s mistakes.
“Common fans seeing the game want for a justification for the team’s loss. But the whole team lost; there is no one reason or just one or two player to blame.
Defending the team, the former bowler claimed Pakistan had their top players on hand for the event.
“Everyone knows they are our best pacers and the future of Pakistan; Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem,” he said.
Regarding Babar Azam, tell me who else right now falls at his level? People keep advocating for a whole other roster, but consider the experience level—except from Babar; none of the members of this group have 100 match experience.
“Yes, they disappointed in recent games, but they have ability and historical performance to support them. That does not mean they belong nowhere on the team.
Aqib further reminded detractors that same squad had won historic series contests in Australia and South Africa.
“This side creates history having won series in Australia and South Africa. We are working to assemble a better team and have already brought a number of fresh players under discussion.
“Just because we lost does not mean we should reorganize the squad and bring in an entire U19 team.”
Though Pakistan suffers in the Champions Trophy, he is still hopeful about the team’s future. “This team is already improving and moving in the correct path, in my view. We did not, however, fare well in the Champions Trophy, he said regretfully.
For the uninitiated, Pakistan were the first team to be dropped following consecutive losses—first against New Zealand in the curtain-raiser and then against arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. Despite being the event hosts and defending champions. The competition last till March 9.
