Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy 2025 has ignited scrutiny over team selection and performances, but interim head coach Aaqib Javed has strongly defended his players. Addressing the media in Rawalpindi, Javed asserted that the squad was chosen on merit, even though the results fell short of expectations.
“Pakistan picked the best available team, but the performances haven’t matched expectations—that is a reality,” Javed admitted.
Speculation surrounding internal disagreements surfaced after Pakistan’s one of the leading publications reported a conflict between Javed and team captain Mohammad Rizwan regarding squad selection. The report suggested that Rizwan advocated for Khushdil Shah’s inclusion, while Javed preferred Faheem Ashraf. Ultimately, Shah was selected in the squad.
During the press conference, Aaqib Javed reiterated that every player had earned their place based on past performances. He addressed concerns over Pakistan’s dependence on Babar Azam, challenging critics with a pointed question: “Right now, apart from Babar Azam, what other options do we have?”
Pakistan’s campaign suffered a major setback with a six-wicket loss to India, a match that once again highlighted their struggles in high-pressure situations. Reflecting on the defeat, Javed emphasized the need for a more competitive total against their arch-rivals.
“Without a strong total, bowlers are forced to adopt an aggressive approach,” he explained, suggesting that a score closer to 300 could have increased pressure on India.
Javed also noted that the absence of key players significantly impacted Pakistan’s performance, particularly in crucial matches. “The absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman was felt. Sufiyan Muqeem and Irfan Niazi lacked ODI exposure,” he said.
He further reinforced that the seven-batsman, four-bowler strategy remains the standard approach in one-day internationals. With Pakistan now out of contention, they will conclude their tournament with a final match against Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
