Aaqib Javed Urges Pakistan to Expand Player Pool for Modern Cricket Demands
Pakistan’s interim head coach and chief selector, Aaqib Javed, emphasized the importance of expanding the country’s player pool to meet the intense fitness and workload demands of modern cricket. Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast, Aaqib outlined the necessity of taking bold decisions to sustain the national team’s performance across formats.
Pakistan’s Grueling Schedule
The team is currently in South Africa, preparing for the second and final Test in Cape Town on Friday. This match follows a packed tour schedule that included three ODIs, three T20Is, and the first Test. Pakistan’s commitments do not ease up; they will return home to face the West Indies in a Test series starting January 16, followed by a tri-series with South Africa and England before hosting the ICC Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9.
Post-Champions Trophy, the team will remain active until November, with tours to New Zealand and other international fixtures.
“With the way cricket is evolving, we must expand our player pool,” said Aaqib. “This requires taking brave decisions because, sooner or later, every team must adopt this approach.”
Workload Management and Player Rotation
Aaqib highlighted the importance of managing player workload, pointing to Pakistan’s decision to rest pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the ongoing South Africa Test series. The move ensures Afridi remains fresh for the Champions Trophy, a strategy reflecting Aaqib’s vision for distinguishing between red-ball and white-ball cricket teams.
“Playing continuously leads to fatigue, both physically and mentally,” Aaqib said. “Our aim is to create a system where players have sufficient breaks to recover and refine their skills. For instance, after three months of cricket, players should have four to six weeks off for recovery and training.”
A New Era Under Aaqib
Appointed as ad hoc chief selector in October amid the resignations of head coaches Gary Kirsten (white-ball cricket) and Jason Gillespie (Tests), Aaqib has shouldered dual responsibilities. His first major task was to select squads for the Australia and Zimbabwe tours, where he focused on introducing young talent while strategically rotating senior players.
“Look at Pakistan’s schedule: England, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and now West Indies,” he said. “Then there’s the Tri-Nation series, Champions Trophy, and two days later, white-ball cricket in New Zealand. It’s impossible to rely on the same set of players for an entire year.”
Future Path
Aaqib’s proactive approach aims to build a sustainable system to ensure players stay motivated and energized. By broadening the pool and creating opportunities for emerging talent, Pakistan can better navigate the rigorous demands of modern cricket while maintaining competitive standards across all formats.
