Pakistan's Interim White-Ball Head Coach, Aaqib Javed, spoke to the media while addressing a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium:
"When the selection committee was changed, there was a responsibility to figure out how to build a team that could deliver the desired results. Some really good outcomes came from it, like winning the series against England in Pakistan. And if you look at it now, no one could have thought that we would win an ODI series in Australia after 22 years. I think a lot of positive work has been done regarding the selections, and the results have come."
"Now, I've been given a new responsibility, so coaching isn't something new for me. I've been coaching at every level for 20 years, both internationally and within Pakistan, so I'll try to perform at my best."
"Fakhar is a match-winner, and he has been delivering great performances for Pakistan over the years. He had some fitness issues, but we are in constant communication. As soon as he's fit, the selection committee will definitely consider him, and you'll see Fakhar playing again."
"The issue with double roles is slightly different now. Since we started as selectors, from Multan to now, there has always been consultation between the coach and captain, and then the selection committee announces the team. So, the same team that played in the Multan Test also played the Pindi Test during the tour of England. In the ODI series against Australia, the same team that played the first ODI also played the third ODI. So, I don’t think there is a problem. Our objective is to form the best XI from the available players and try to win matches for Pakistan."
"As a coach, you can only create an environment, and the messages should be loud and clear about the type of cricket you want to play. You can help with their preparation, but in the end, it's the players and the captain who deliver results."
"If I get the choice after the Champions Trophy, I would focus on the task at hand. Right now, I'm focusing on the Champions Trophy, and once the situation changes, I'll decide. Coaching is a passion for me, and I've been doing it for 20 years. As the situation unfolds, decisions will be made."
"The selection committee, it's not just me. It's a group of selectors who make the decisions together."
"Australia has never been an easy tour for Pakistan. When this team went, everyone wrote us off, especially about winning the ODI series, which seemed impossible. But these players, under the new captain, proved everyone wrong. The same happened in the T20 series too, where despite tough matches, Pakistan had chances. If you don’t capitalize on opportunities in T20, you can lose quickly. But our main focus is the ODI format and the Champions Trophy."
"We aim to give opportunities to new players. In Zimbabwe, we rested key players to give chances to young players, so they can benefit from the experience. This helps in expanding the pool of players."
"Regarding criticism of players like Sami Ayub, performance is key. The criticism and praise depend on how well the team performs. If we win the series, we’ll be praised; if not, I'll be the first to accept the criticism. As for Sami Ayub, he's progressing well, especially in Test and ODI formats. He has shown good temperament and technique."
"New players will get chances in Zimbabwe, and the focus is on ODI. T20 is still open. When the opportunities come, new players will have to take advantage of them."
"Regarding T20 performance, there's been criticism about the strike rate. We have invested in players like Iftikhar and Asif, but the new setup will give more opportunities to young players. We’ll focus on improving strike rates and power hitting."
"We faced problems with power hitting in the last World Cup, but the new setup will give young players chances, and we’ll focus on improving their strike rate and hitting. Pakistan's power hitting, especially in T20, needs improvement."
"Regarding strike rate, it varies. If you look at the last T20 matches in the US, the winning totals were around 120. Conditions matter. Australian conditions were challenging, and even with 148 runs, they struggled. But in Pakistan or India, with flat pitches and small boundaries, the team targets change. So, conditions must be taken into account."
"The conditions are key. If you are playing in subcontinent conditions, the scoring rate goes up, but if you're playing in Australia, the ball moves and bounces more, making it difficult to score 200. So, the strike rate isn't as important as understanding the conditions and playing responsibly."
"It’s not just about scoring quickly. We need to focus on how a player adapts to the situation, the pitch, and the match scenario. Even if a player doesn’t score quickly, if they’re building partnerships and contributing to the team's total, that’s important. The team comes first, not the individual."
"And yes, we will be focusing on preparing for the upcoming series. These are important series to test where we stand as a team, especially with the pressure of the World Cup and future ICC events. We’ll need to adapt to various conditions and situations."
"Our fielding standard has also improved. The selection committee, along with the coaches, is constantly looking at ways to raise the bar in fielding and fitness. We have a few players who need to step up in these areas."
"I understand the challenges we face, but we’ve also made some great strides. There are key areas where we’ve shown improvement, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We need to keep pushing and working hard, and the results will follow."
"One area we’ve focused on heavily is the mental aspect of the game. It’s not just about physical preparation but also ensuring players are mentally strong, especially when faced with adversity or pressure in tight matches."
"As for the upcoming World Cup, we’ve been analyzing opposition teams and planning accordingly. Every team has strengths and weaknesses, and our job as a unit is to capitalize on those weaknesses while playing to our strengths. We’ve got a good mix of experienced and young players, so that balance will be key."
"The next few months will be crucial for team selection. We want to give everyone a fair chance to prove themselves, but ultimately, the best performing players will be selected. There will be no place for complacency, and every player must earn their spot."
"I am confident in the team, but we need to keep the focus. The hard work begins now. We’ve had some good series wins, but there are tougher challenges ahead. The key is consistency—whether it’s in ODI cricket or T20 cricket. We need to stay focused on improving in every area, not just winning matches."
"The team's success is a result of collective effort, not just individual performances. It’s important to keep that in mind as we head into the next phase of our cricket journey."