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Aaqib Javed speaking during a Press Conference:
About consistency in squad selection:
“If you look at the last three series, most of the players who played then are continuing now. Our aim is to build a squad that fits the kind of cricket and environment we expect. So this is almost the same group from those three series, and we’re hopeful that the players will continue progressing.”
“Hasan Nawaz has shown great performance, Saim is very talented, Fakhar is here, and Sahibzada Farhan has delivered outstanding performances at every level, proving himself as a strong T20 prospect.”
“Saim’s performance over the past year has shown tremendous progress. Fakhar is arguably the most consistent performer in white-ball cricket. Sahibzada Farhan’s performance has been exceptional. There are two things that make a better batter — your average run score and your strike rate. If you look at both, Sahibzada stands out as one of the best options based on his recent performances.”
“There should be no doubt about Fakhar Zaman. Saim Ayub, as a young player, has made a strong impact. So, I think these are excellent options for us, and we will back them.”
About Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being an automatic choice in the past and not selecting them now:
“The last matches they played were ODIs. Before that, in the three series — West Indies, Bangladesh home and away — our openers were Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada. So one or two matches should not be the basis for ignoring or selecting a player. These discussions happen a lot in the media. As a player, you face different challenges at different times. Everyone who wants to play and is trying to play has opportunities. Two things I’ve highlighted before in T20s — your ability to score runs and your strike rate according to the environment you’re playing in, that is important.”
“We can’t say we’re completely writing them off. Right now, the choices we have, are such that we need to see how each player develops. I’ve already given examples of Sahibzada, Saim, and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a comeback to the Pakistan team and proved himself. Similarly, Saim played earlier in T20s, didn’t perform well initially, but then made an impact. So no player can be given a full stop. Opportunities are there. They’re getting contracts in the Big Bash and other leagues. PSL is there. Whoever performs should play — and only those who perform deserve to play.”
About players, playing for Pakistan Shaheens, not getting selected:
“Our top players were in camp for one and a half to two months at the NCA. Mohammad Wasim Jr. was sent there to get fit and is bowling well, so he’s been included. You have to look at how many slots you have. If you already have Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada, then you can’t forcefully take more than 17 players. You’re not going to take 20. So the good thing is we’re getting better choices. Yasir, Naeem, Nafay — having choices is a good sign. But you can’t take all 17 players. Not everyone can be included.”
About relying too much on all-rounders:
“We often mix two things. Most of your thoughts right now are focused on ODIs. For T20s, things are much better. Eventually, if you look at it, you have selectors, then you have management, a head coach, and other coaches. What can you do for them? You can select based on performance and create an environment that supports them.”
“At the end of the day, it’s the player who has to perform. And regarding all-rounders, we said that in your era, we never played T20 cricket. This is a new format. So if you ask me about the T20 squad, this squad of 17—I’m very hopeful. It has talent, it has choices.”
About the upcoming India-Pakistan clash:
“Whether we like it or not, the India-Pakistan match is the biggest match in world cricket. Every player feels it. Every person involved feels it. So, this squad of 17 has the ability to beat any team. And I’m very hopeful. Things keep changing but the players are ready, and everyone understands how big this match is and the kind of circumstances we’re in these days. So, there’s no need to put too much pressure on them either. But I’m very hopeful.”
About Mohammad Haris’s selection and no backup:
“Well, in the backend too, we’re preparing keepers in different tours. But if you look closely at the numbers from the last three series, he has a strike rate of 171 and an average of around 29. Any all-rounder—or rather, keeper-batter—if he’s giving you a strike rate of 171 from the last three series and an average of 29–30 per innings, then what more can we expect? I think he’s done really well.”
About supporting Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:
“I don’t agree with the idea that from my words, it seems Rizwan and Babar will never play T20 again. If they perform like the other players are performing, then they’ll definitely play. And secondly, even now, if you see, Babar has been practicing at the NCA. He was part of the camps that Mike Hesson arranged. Babar was there, Rizwan was there. There have been discussions with them. They’ve been given guidelines on how to improve certain things. So there’s no problem. Sometimes you get good options like Sahibzada Farhan was not there six months ago, and we didn’t have many options.”
About consultation with the Captain for team selection and criticism on the selection:
“We don’t make any team without consulting the captain. At the end of the day, he’s the main guy who has to go in and lead the team. So, the coach, the captain, our selection team—we all work together. And our effort is to build the best possible team from the available resources.”
“The kind of job you do, criticism comes with it. So, criticism should happen. If you talk about the biggest match in world cricket right now, it’s Pakistan vs India. Why is it the biggest? Because everyone takes an interest in it. Players play. Pressure comes. They know if they perform well, they’ll be highly appreciated. If they perform poorly, they’ll be heavily criticized. So, our job is like that too. You’re from the media—you have to do your job. We, as professionals, have to do ours. I’ve never had a problem with criticism. I’ve never had any issue with anyone’s criticism. It’s your right, and you should do it.”
About consistency in squad selection:
“If you look at the last three series, most of the players who played then are continuing now. Our aim is to build a squad that fits the kind of cricket and environment we expect. So this is almost the same group from those three series, and we’re hopeful that the players will continue progressing.”
“Hasan Nawaz has shown great performance, Saim is very talented, Fakhar is here, and Sahibzada Farhan has delivered outstanding performances at every level, proving himself as a strong T20 prospect.”
“Saim’s performance over the past year has shown tremendous progress. Fakhar is arguably the most consistent performer in white-ball cricket. Sahibzada Farhan’s performance has been exceptional. There are two things that make a better batter — your average run score and your strike rate. If you look at both, Sahibzada stands out as one of the best options based on his recent performances.”
“There should be no doubt about Fakhar Zaman. Saim Ayub, as a young player, has made a strong impact. So, I think these are excellent options for us, and we will back them.”
About Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being an automatic choice in the past and not selecting them now:
“The last matches they played were ODIs. Before that, in the three series — West Indies, Bangladesh home and away — our openers were Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada. So one or two matches should not be the basis for ignoring or selecting a player. These discussions happen a lot in the media. As a player, you face different challenges at different times. Everyone who wants to play and is trying to play has opportunities. Two things I’ve highlighted before in T20s — your ability to score runs and your strike rate according to the environment you’re playing in, that is important.”
“We can’t say we’re completely writing them off. Right now, the choices we have, are such that we need to see how each player develops. I’ve already given examples of Sahibzada, Saim, and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a comeback to the Pakistan team and proved himself. Similarly, Saim played earlier in T20s, didn’t perform well initially, but then made an impact. So no player can be given a full stop. Opportunities are there. They’re getting contracts in the Big Bash and other leagues. PSL is there. Whoever performs should play — and only those who perform deserve to play.”
About players, playing for Pakistan Shaheens, not getting selected:
“Our top players were in camp for one and a half to two months at the NCA. Mohammad Wasim Jr. was sent there to get fit and is bowling well, so he’s been included. You have to look at how many slots you have. If you already have Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada, then you can’t forcefully take more than 17 players. You’re not going to take 20. So the good thing is we’re getting better choices. Yasir, Naeem, Nafay — having choices is a good sign. But you can’t take all 17 players. Not everyone can be included.”
About relying too much on all-rounders:
“We often mix two things. Most of your thoughts right now are focused on ODIs. For T20s, things are much better. Eventually, if you look at it, you have selectors, then you have management, a head coach, and other coaches. What can you do for them? You can select based on performance and create an environment that supports them.”
“At the end of the day, it’s the player who has to perform. And regarding all-rounders, we said that in your era, we never played T20 cricket. This is a new format. So if you ask me about the T20 squad, this squad of 17—I’m very hopeful. It has talent, it has choices.”
About the upcoming India-Pakistan clash:
“Whether we like it or not, the India-Pakistan match is the biggest match in world cricket. Every player feels it. Every person involved feels it. So, this squad of 17 has the ability to beat any team. And I’m very hopeful. Things keep changing but the players are ready, and everyone understands how big this match is and the kind of circumstances we’re in these days. So, there’s no need to put too much pressure on them either. But I’m very hopeful.”
About Mohammad Haris’s selection and no backup:
“Well, in the backend too, we’re preparing keepers in different tours. But if you look closely at the numbers from the last three series, he has a strike rate of 171 and an average of around 29. Any all-rounder—or rather, keeper-batter—if he’s giving you a strike rate of 171 from the last three series and an average of 29–30 per innings, then what more can we expect? I think he’s done really well.”
About supporting Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:
“I don’t agree with the idea that from my words, it seems Rizwan and Babar will never play T20 again. If they perform like the other players are performing, then they’ll definitely play. And secondly, even now, if you see, Babar has been practicing at the NCA. He was part of the camps that Mike Hesson arranged. Babar was there, Rizwan was there. There have been discussions with them. They’ve been given guidelines on how to improve certain things. So there’s no problem. Sometimes you get good options like Sahibzada Farhan was not there six months ago, and we didn’t have many options.”
About consultation with the Captain for team selection and criticism on the selection:
“We don’t make any team without consulting the captain. At the end of the day, he’s the main guy who has to go in and lead the team. So, the coach, the captain, our selection team—we all work together. And our effort is to build the best possible team from the available resources.”
“The kind of job you do, criticism comes with it. So, criticism should happen. If you talk about the biggest match in world cricket right now, it’s Pakistan vs India. Why is it the biggest? Because everyone takes an interest in it. Players play. Pressure comes. They know if they perform well, they’ll be highly appreciated. If they perform poorly, they’ll be heavily criticized. So, our job is like that too. You’re from the media—you have to do your job. We, as professionals, have to do ours. I’ve never had a problem with criticism. I’ve never had any issue with anyone’s criticism. It’s your right, and you should do it.”
