Aqib Javed Archives

Aqib Javed explains Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from Test squad

Aqib Javed, the interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan and a member of the selection committee, explained the reasons for excluding pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and off-spinner Sajid Khan from the squad for the Test series against South Africa.

Earlier today, the Pakistan men’s selection committee announced the squads for the upcoming South Africa tour, scheduled from 10 December to 7 January. The tour comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

However, Sajid Khan, who took 19 wickets in two Test matches against England, was a notable exclusion alongside Shaheen Afridi.

Aqib Javed, while clarifying the reasons, highlighted the ‘horses for courses policy,’ stating that Sajid has left out because pitches in South Africa are not suitable for spinners.

It’s worth noting that Noman Ali, who took 20 wickets against England, is the sole spinner in the Test squad.

“We have adopted horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa,” said Aqib.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough and difficult decision.

“However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and in Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling.”

On the other hand, Aqib revealed that Shaheen Afridi has been rested as part of the strategy to keep him fresh and fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” he added.

He further shared that opening batter Fakhar Zaman was also not considered for the white-ball series against South Africa as he is yet to achieve full fitness.

“Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness.”

Pakistan squads for South Africa tour

Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)

T20Is: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)

READ: Virat Kohli on the verge of breaking Sir Don Bradman’s 76-year-old record

Aaqib Javed appointed as interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed the appointment of former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

During this tenure, Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee and will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion of the eight-team tournament.

Meanwhile, the PCB will initiate the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, aiming to complete the appointment by the end of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled from 19 February to 9 March.

The white-ball coaching role had become vacant following the resignation of Gary Kirsten last month ahead of the ongoing tour of Australia.

In Kirsten’s absence, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie had coached the side during the tour of Australia, who will now rejoin the side for the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Pakistan men’s side is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (24 November – 5 December) and as many white-ball matches in South Africa (10-22 December).

In the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from 8-14 February.

Aaqib Javed has extensive coaching experience, having previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during their successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2009. Earlier this year, he worked with the Sri Lanka men’s team as their bowling coach.

Prior to that, he also oversaw the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earning the ODI status and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia during his tenure as the head coach.

Moreover, the right-arm pacer was also the coach of Pakistan’s Under-19 team when they won the U19 World Cup in 2004.

READ: Mohammad Amir advises Rizwan ‘to bat freely’

PCB reveals new selection committee

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday revealed the new selection committee, which includes former ICC umpire Aleem Dar as well as former cricketers Azhar Ali and Aqib Javed.

The cricket board announced the decision on their website through a press release.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] has confirmed the recomposition of the men’s national selection committee. It now includes Aleem Dar, Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Hasan Cheema as voting members,” the PCB stated.

It’s worth noting that Aleem Dar drew curtains on a glittering career during the Champions One-Day Cup last month.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The last selection committee consisted of current selector Asad Shafiq along with former captain Mohammad Yousuf as well as the captain and head coach of the respective formats.

However, Yousuf resigned from his role as a member of the national selection committee on 29 September. The 50-year-old cited personal reasons for his decision in a statement on his social media account.

“I announce my resignation as a selector for the Pakistan cricket team due to personal reasons. Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan Cricket,” Mohammad Yousuf said in his post on X.

“I have immense faith in the talent and spirit of our players, and wish our team all the best as they continue to strive for greatness,” he added.

READ: Pakistan set unwanted record after crushing defeat in first England Test

Aqib Javed wants Karachi-Lahore face-off in PSL 8 final

Lahore Qalandars head coach Aqib Javed has expressed his wish to see his team competing against Karachi Kings in the final of the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League, starting from February 13.

“That will be the icing on the cake,” said Aqib about the supposed Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandar final on the ARY News programme PSL Special.

Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars have been enjoying a healthy rivalry since the inception of the PSL in 2016. The contest always attracts a wide viewership across the country and a full house at the stadiums. The two sides had already met in the PSL final back in 2020 when Karachi King defeated Qalandars to lift their maiden PSL Trophy.

“Without this rivalry and excitement, the game will be worthless” Aqib expressed. “This (PSL) is a community-based competition where people from each city have deep attachment with their respective teams” he added.

Talking about the Lahore Qalandars’ quest to defend their title in the upcoming season, head coach Aqib said his side had a core group of around nine players which gave them an edge over other competitors.

“We faced severe criticism in the earlier seasons, but we always used to say this there will be no stopping once we get on winning ways”

“We have a core group of nine players – like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and others – who have been with us since the start. This is what gives us an already set combination”

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will take place across four venues. The grand ceremony followed by the opening match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans will be held in Multan on February 13.

The final will be staged in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 19.

READ: Australia shocked by Ireland in T20 World Cup warm-up

‘Kohli has lost his peak, Babar is now ahead of him’ claims Aqib Javed

KARACHI: Former Pakistani fast-bowler and 1992 World Cup winner Aqib Javed claimed that the former Indian batter Virat Kohli has lost his peak and the top-ranked white-ball batter Babar Azam is now ahead of him.

Aqib, while responding to the rapid-fire questions in ARY News’ show Sports Room (Eid Special), claimed that India’s top batter Kohli, who has been struggling to find his form for the last two years, has lost his peak and the Pakistan captain Babar has surpassed him.

“Now I think Babar is ahead. He [Kohli] had his peak but now going down. But Babar, on the other hand, is going up,” Aqib said.

Aqib, on asked, also drew the comparison between the Indian and Pakistani pacers – Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi – and the wicket-keeper batters – Mohammad Rizwan and Rishabh Pant, claiming that both Pakistanis are also ahead of their Indian counterparts.

“I now think that Shaheen is better than Bumrah because when Shaheen came into the international circuit Bumrah had already established himself and the critics used to say that Bumrah is doing well in Tests, T20Is, and so but now Shaheen has proved he is even better and has more capacity than Bumrah,” he said.

“Rizwan is better than Pant these days. There is no doubt that Pant is an extremely skilful player but the way Rizwan takes the responsibility, Pant is well behind him. It is often said that Pant is an aggressive player, but the aggressiveness doesn’t mean to hit a couple of big shots and got out but to stay at the crease, fight, and finish the game,” Aqib added.

A piece of advice for young cricketers

The former pacer then responded to a question regarding Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad, saying they should play club cricket only.

“Umar Akmal should now play club cricket only because his attitude is like that and the same goes for Ahmed Shehzad,” he said.

The 1992 world cup winner, again in response to a question advised the young explosive batter, Azam Khan, to work on his fitness or quit cricket.

“I think Azam Khan should either quit cricket or become like a cricketer. He should work on his fitness,” Aqib said.

Suspension of departmental cricket

Aqib also backed the resurrection of departmental cricket and the former domestic cricket structure, claiming that the six-team domestic format did not serve Pakistan cricket.

“There is nothing as the roots and club cricket are also suspended due to this new six-team domestic setup. I can design the structure they’ve created in less than half an hour “Aqib remarked.

Ramiz Raja as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board

In answer to a question from the host on whether his old teammate Ramiz Raja should quit as Chairman of the PCB? Aqib was quick to react, saying, “Yes,” before clarifying that his policies were the same as his predecessors.

“The reason behind sacking Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani was that they were not performing up to the mark or their policies were inadequate but since Ramiz took over, neither a board official has been dismissed nor has he made any policy changes,” Aqib explained.

“It signifies that the same momentum is still in effect, with only the face changed and nothing new done,” he concluded.

READ: ‘I didn’t come to equal Hendry’s record but to play Snooker’ O’Sullivan

‘Ramiz Raja should gracefully resign as PCB chairman’ Aqib Javed

LAHORE: Former Pakistan fast-bowler and 1992 World Cup winner Aqib Javed has advised the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja to resign gracefully.

Aqib, while talking to the media here, commented on Ramiz’s future as the PCB chairman and said the latter should resign gracefully.

“Now it does not seem that he will stay, morally he should resign from the post. I think Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf are more likely to be the chairman,” he said.

“It is not an issue of being a cricketer or not, I think administration experience is a must. First and foremost, we need to focus on getting things right,” he added.

The Test cricketer further claimed that cricket is also declining in the country, and measures must be taken to prevent it.

“At present cricket is in decline like hockey. Spikes are not allowed on any ground in Lahore. Club cricket has been suspended for many years,” he said.

The former pacer then went on to comment about the initiative of the PCB under its pathway programme to hold the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) and said the cricket board should first solve the problems of PSL.

“No matter how many parties there are, if you give them multiple options, things will start to become disorganized,” he said.

“Cricket board officials should solve the problems of PSL first, make it a big product, and then think of something else,” he added.

Aqib further alleged that Ramiz did not take any measures to address the situation and that drop-in pitches are needless.

“Ramiz did not take a single step to rectify the situation. There is no need for drop-in pitches in Pakistan. We, however, should improve the quality of existing pitches,” he concluded.

READ: WATCH: Hasan Ali takes first wicket in County Cricket