Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has opened up about the team's performance in the current cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC). Javed believes the Men in Green would have been in contention for a place in the WTC final if better decisions had been made earlier.
The former fast bowler also defended the team's shift from pace to spin bowling in the recent home Tests. Pakistan fielded top order Turners in the last Tests at home and they have continued to adopt the same strategy for the ongoing home series against the West Indies.
Aaqib Javed on Pakistan's performance in the current WTC cycle
While talking to reporters ahead of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies, Aaqib Javed was asked about the team's performance in the overall cycle of the WTC. Javed wants his team to win every Test at home as he understands that the main objective of the World Test Championship is to do well at home.
“People are questioning the direction of our Test cricket. If better decisions had been taken earlier, we could have been in the WTC final or at least could have been in the running,” Javed said.
“The main goal of the World Championship
Aaqib Javed said: “People are questioning the direction of our Test cricket. If better decisions had been made earlier, we could be in the running for the WTC final.” pic.twitter.com/smwdydlv6c
– junaiiz (@dhillow_) January 24, 2025
Pakistan have not been at their best in Tests at home in this WTC cycle. They lost 0-2 in Bangladesh after the T20 World Cup 2024 and then lost in England in the first Test of the series.
They even lost away series in Australia and South Africa this cycle to drop out of the race for the World Test Championship final. They are currently eighth out of nine teams in the WTC standings.
AAQIB Javed defends Pakistan's spin-friendly strategy for home
Aaqib Javed also defended the team's strategy of preparing spin-friendly surfaces at home. Javed feels that a team needs to be picked based on the pitch and conditions, which is why Sajid Khan did not find a place in the squad for the South Africa tour.
“Recently, we went to South Africa and required just two wickets to win by 48 runs in the bank. But unfortunately we couldn't take the last two wickets. There was no spinner in that team. You have to select team depending on the conditions,” added the former Pakistan Pacer.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have been at the forefront of Pakistan's success in Tests at home in recent months. The duo helped the Men in Green win the last two Tests to clinch a series win over England. However, none of them played during the Test series in South Africa, which Pakistan lost 0–2.
Pakistan favorites to win second test
Pakistan are currently 1-0 up in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. The second and final Test of the series will begin on January 25 in Multan. The pitch is expected to favor spin again as it did in the first Test.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan spearheaded the team's victory in the first Test. Left-arm spinner Noman picked up six wickets in the match, which included a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
On the other hand, offspinner Sajid Khan finished with figures of 4-65 and 5-50 in both innings to emerge as the player of the match. Pakistan will be the favorites going into the second Test and are likely to complete a whitewash.