Pakistan’s Coach Aaqib Javed Emphasizes Pride Ahead of Bangladesh…

Aaqib Javed, the head coach of Pakistan’s cricket team, asserts that pride will motivate players in their final match against Bangladesh despite being eliminated from the Champions Trophy. Following defeats to New Zealand and India, and concerns about their ranking, Aaqib emphasizes the need for a strong showing to conclude their tournament experience positively. He also defends his bowler’s performance amid criticism.

The head coach of Pakistan’s cricket team, Aaqib Javed, expressed that pride will be the driving force for the players in their upcoming match against Bangladesh, despite their elimination from the Champions Trophy. Pakistan’s hopes for a semi-final berth were dashed following losses to New Zealand and India, rendering the final Group A match inconsequential.

The recent weather disrupted the tournament’s schedule, with a previous match between Australia and South Africa being washed out, leading to concerns about Pakistan potentially finishing last in their group due to net run-rate. Furthermore, this tournament marked a disappointing end to Pakistan’s first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.

Aaqib emphasized that there are no excuses for the team’s performance and asserted that the players are more affected by the losses than the fans. He reiterated the players’ desire to make a statement in their last game, reflecting on their past successes in series against Australia and South Africa before the Champions Trophy.

Discussing the significance of the tournament, Aaqib remarked that it features the world’s best teams, which means that after two losses, the Pakistani team must approach the match with the motivation to reclaim pride. Former players and fans have expressed their anger regarding the team’s recent failures, including disappointing exits from the 2023 World Cup and the previous Twenty20 World Cup.

Aaqib pointed out that the emotional toll of losing to arch-rivals India has particularly affected the fans, stating, “People are more involved in an India-Pakistan match and they do not accept a defeat against India and that defeat in Dubai has left them more dejected,” referring to the recent match where Pakistan fell short by six wickets.

Despite the criticism directed at certain players, Aaqib defended his pace bowlers, highlighting their talent. He stated, “People blamed two, three players, which is not correct. If you assess Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), and Haris (Rauf), they are still the best bowlers in the world.”

In summary, Pakistan’s head coach Aaqib Javed is focused on motivating his players through pride ahead of their inconsequential match against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy. Following disappointing losses against New Zealand and India, the team seeks to make a positive impact despite recent criticism and past failures. Aaqib stands by his bowlers, emphasizing their skills as key assets to the team.

Original Source: www.france24.com