Aaqib Javed named interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan cricket team

Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed has been named the interim white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled from February 19 to March 9.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this development through a press release on Monday.

“During this tenure, Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee, and will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion of the eight-team tournament,” the PCB said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the cricket board has also announced plans to appoint a permanent white-ball head coach, a process they aim to complete shortly after the tournament concludes.

This position became vacant after Gary Kirsten’s resignation. In his absence, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie stepped in to oversee the white-ball team during Pakistan’s recent tour of Australia. Gillespie will now rejoin the team for the two-Test series in South Africa.

Red-ball transformation

Aaqib recently transitioned from his role as coach and cricket operations director for the Lahore Qalandars to become a key member of Pakistan’s revamped selection committee.

The transformation began after Pakistan’s dismal performance in the first Test against England in Multan, which marked their sixth consecutive Test loss under captain Shan Masood.

The PCB responded by revamping its approach, removing selection authority from Masood and Gillespie and establishing a revamped selection committee that included Aaqib, Aleem Dar, and Azhar Ali.

This new committee made several bold decisions, including benching stalwarts like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in favor of experienced domestic players such as Kamran Ghulam, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mehmood.

Furthermore, spin-friendly pitches were prepared to capitalize on home conditions. These changes bore fruit as Pakistan staged a remarkable comeback to win the Test series against England 2-1. Aaqib’s strategic vision was widely credited for this turnaround.

Pakistan’s selectors having a look at the pitch for the second Test against England in Multan.PCB

Now, the PCB is counting on Javed to replicate this success in white-ball cricket. Despite a historic ODI series win in Australia after 22 years, Pakistan struggled in the T20I format, suffering a series whitewash.

Looking ahead, the men’s team has a packed schedule. They are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe, followed by white-ball matches in South Africa. Pakistan will also host an ODI triangular series featuring New Zealand and South Africa in February, just before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Aaqib brings significant coaching experience to this role, having previously served as head coach of the UAE and as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach earlier this year.

With a crucial period ahead, the cricket board is hoping that his expertise will guide the team to success in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.