Aaqib defends squad selection as Pakistan gives final touches to CT preparations

Pakistan underwent an intensive day-night training session at the Ghani Institute Cricket Ground at the DHA on Wednesday to prepare for the tri-nation series which also involves New Zealand and South Africa.

For the second successive day, the team practiced at the same venue which was shielded by the security forces.

The Pakistan brigade played a scenario-based match and batsmen and bowlers got ample chance to deliver on the center pitch which gave them the actual match feelings.

The plus point was seasoned batsman Babar Azam’s fine batting. Unlike the first day when he seemed shaky Babar looked in elegant touch on Wednesday night. He played some fine strokes and especially his ground punches on the backfoot against the spinners were a treat to watch.

He himself left the field after batting full length with his opening partner Fakhar Zaman, who also managed a few fine strokes which went over the fence. Fakhar also played a couple of uppish shots and narrowly survived. But its fine that the left-handed batsman was seen in a relatively good mood. Fakhar missed Pakistan’s recent three away white-ball series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa due to various reasons. Babar and Fakhar are likely to open for the nation in the tri-nation series.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan was also seen in elegant touch. He also managed a stroke outside the park towards square-leg.

Batsmen also did practice in the nets.

Naseem Shah bowled superbly and he was seen in fine element which is a big plus for Pakistan. His line and length were impeccable. Shaheen, who will spearhead Pakistan’s pace-attack, bowled well contrary to his first day’s exploits where he did not offer his best. Haris Rauf threw a bit more power into his bowling but he will need to concentrate more on his line and length which will be too crucial to prevent the batsmen from scoring freely.

Spinners Abrar Ahmed also bowled tightly.

Before the start of the scenario-based practice game players did catching practice and Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed in particular held some fine catches on the square-leg boundary.

After a warm day the temperature went too much down in the night which indicates that dew factor may play a role.

Pakistan will now train again at the LCCA Ground today (Thursday) from 6:30pm.

The Green-shirts will open their tri-nation series with their opener against New Zealand on February 8 at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. On February 10 New Zealand and South Africa will meet at the same venue.

Pakistan then will face South Africa in their last league game at the National Stadium Karachi on February 12. The final will be conducted at the same venue on February 14.

The tri-nation series will act as a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy and it will also benefit especially New Zealand and South Africa to adjust to the conditions ahead of the major ICC event.

The ICC Champions Trophy will begin on February 19 with the day-night match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium Karachi.

Pakistan will then meet arch-rivals India in Dubai on February 23 with their last show to be hosted by the Pindi Cricket Stadium on February 27.

Top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

The Group A carries Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and New Zealand while England, Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan constitute Group B.

New Zealand have already reached Pakistan and took a full day rest on Wednesday and will begin their training today for the tri-nation series while South Africa will arrive late Thursday night.

Aaqib Javed defends squad selection

Pakistan’s head coach Aqib Javed defended the composition of his team which he has made for the ICC Champions Trophy.

“You need to bring players as per requirements,” Aqib told reporters before the start of the training session on Wednesday evening.

He explained why Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf were put in the side for the important assignment and why there is just one regular spinner in the shape of Abrar Ahmed in the side.

He also explained why Sufyan Muqeem and stumper Haseebullah are not in the team.

“If you see in your playing XI only one spinner plays,” Aqib said.

“We have an advantage as we are playing at home. You have to pick a squad when you go abroad like South Africa and Australia because you cannot quickly replace a player when there is an injury to anyone. But as we are in Pakistan and if there is an injury occurs to anyone then on the same day you can bring his replacement,” Aqib said.

“If you see the recent past cricket which we have played so far so in the top seven Agha Salman and Saim Ayub used to bowl and we have also included Khushdil Shah and so you have bowling option in top seven besides your four specialist bowlers,” he said.

“We have been missing a pace bowling all-rounder since long and when you see specifically that you have three matches against New Zealand, India and Bangladesh. At times you may need a spin bowling all-rounder and at times when you play against India and Bangladesh you have a specialist spinner and Agha Salman and you go for the fourth bowling option. The crux is that you need to have top seven batters and that need your two bowling options,” said Aqib, also a former international pacer.

“As far as Aamer Jamal is concerned so he was put mostly in Test cricket. He was also in discussion but I think it was important for us to have such a pace-bowling allrounder who could bat in top seven and offer a pace-bowling option and spin bowling option and that is why Faheem and Khushdil Shah came to the team,” he said.

“We had also discussed Khushdil before our tour to Australia and we have ample clarity on him as some players play very impressively in the sub-continent conditions but when you go abroad to play on bouncy pitches then they cannot be so effective. So, this is our idea,” he said.

He rejected the impression that so many players are making comeback.

“Khushdil came because Saim got injured and we needed an all-rounder. Faheem came as we needed a pace-bowling allrounder which is always required when you go for a team against the Asian nations. May be, you will see one or two changes in the team which played in Australia and South Africa,” he explained.

“Haseebullah was with us in South Africa where he got injured and was sent on rest. As far as Usman Khan is concerned so due to concussion rules you have to keep one extra wicketkeeper in the team. Haseeb was not there so Usman was the best option and some people can deliver much better in such conduction. You cannot fulfil Saim’s replacement through mere putting in a batsman and you need to bring in such a player who could also give you spin bowling option. There are very few players available who could bat in top seven and also give you bowling option,” Aqib conceded.

“During the last four to five years cricket has become too fast and now 200 runs in T20 is a routine. And 25 to 30 runs extra can be managed. And you don’t need to put gears in your batting,” he said.

Aqib said that 300 and plus runs can come in one-day cricket through normal batting approach.

“The first ten overs and then a change in the rule that your four fielders are outside the circle also makes a difference. I think without making any changes in your batting style you can manage 300 and plus. On Pakistani pitches more runs will come. And we are playing on the same pitches and New Zealand is also a team in our group in the Champions Trophy and the tri-series will be a good preparation for the Champions Trophy,” he said.

He also gave the reason why spinner Sufyan Muqeem has been ignored.

“Look we gave him chance in one one-day game against South Africa when we had rested Abrar Ahmed. We are trying to give chance to the youngsters so that anyone who goes on a foreign tour should not return without playing a game. And now I don’t think that in the presence of Abrar you will go with two spinners. Muqeem is still there and if there is any injury then he can come back to the team as a replacement,” he said.

When asked what benefit it will give to Pakistan if Jasprit Bumrah does not play in the Champions Trophy due to injury Aqib said India should feel the tension of his fitness.

“They (India) should feel the tension of Bumrah’s fitness. You cannot take any team light in the Champions Trophy. Yes, the team which has bowler like Bumrah has the plus point. It does not mean to do entire planning on Bumrah,” he said.