“Senior players like Babar and Rizwan have a value” – Aaqib Javed on Pakistan's star batters despite T20I series debacle in Australia
Pakistan’s newly appointed limited-overs head coach Aaqib Javed has backed skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite their failures in the three-match T20I series in Australia. Rizwan returned with 0 and 16 in two games, while Babar managed 3 runs each in the first two T20Is before 41 off 28 in the dead rubber. The Men in Green lost the series by a 3-0 margin
Javed told the media (via Geo TV):
“Senior players like Babar and Rizwan have a value. They performed over the years for Pakistan.”
The response came after former Pakistan player Basit Ali claimed Babar Azam had already played his last T20I for the Men in Green. He said in a local TV program (via Geo TV):
“As long as Aaqib Javed is the head coach, this may be Babar Azam’s last T20 match.”
“I am simply stating what is evident. You have a premium batsman averaging just 14 runs across three matches. What kind of batsman gets dismissed before the eighth over?” he added.
Apart from T20Is, Babar Azam had returned with scores of 37, 15*, and 28* in the three ODIs Down Under.
“Our main focus at the moment is on ODI cricket ahead of the Champions Trophy" - Aaqib Javed on Pakistan cricket
Aaqib Javed further stressed that he will try to ensure Pakistan continue to do well in ODIs ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy following their series win in Australia. He told ESPNcricinfo:
“Our main focus at the moment is on ODI cricket ahead of the Champions Trophy. You'll see a settled team in this format. You'll see changes in the T20I format. We plan to give new players chances in the Zimbabwe series. It is a message and opportunity to the new players to take the chances they've been given. If you don't give new players chances, you'll never get the opportunity to improve your bench strength.”
“Australia has never been an easy tour. When the team went, if we had said we were going to win the series, people would have thought it impossible. Under the new captain [Mohammad Rizwan], they showed the world they could do it after 22 years [by winning 2-1]. They also had chances in the three T20Is, but if you don't avail your chances, you won't win,” he added.
Pakistan will next play a white-ball series in Zimbabwe, comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs. The 50-over series will begin on Sunday, November 24.