Pakistan interim interim coach Aaqib Javed has opened up about the team’s performance in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Javed feels the men in green would have been in contention for a place in the WTC final had better decisions been made earlier.
The former fast bowler also defended the team’s shift from pace to spin bowling in the recent home Tests. Pakistan have prepared Rank Turners in the last few home Tests and have continued to adopt the same strategy for the ongoing home series against the West Indies.
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AAQIB Javed on Pakistan’s performance in current WTC cycle
While speaking to reporters ahead of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies, AAQIB Javed was asked about the team’s performance in the overall WTC cycle. Javed wants his team to win all Tests 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 made earlier, we could have been in the WTC final or at least could have been in the race,” Javed said.
“The main objective of the World Test Championship is to win at home at any cost. If you win at home and manage to win at least 2-3 tests abroad, then you are a strong contender for the final,” he observed.
Aaqib Javed said: “People are questioning the direction of our Test cricket. If better decisions had been made earlier, we could have been in the race for the WTC final.” pYodo.TwYoTTmykidney.doEITHERmetro/YesMETROwdANDdlV6do
– Junaiiz (@dhillow_) J.tonorthortokidneyAND 24, 2025
Pakistan have not been at their best in home Tests in this WTC cycle. They lost 0-2 to Bangladesh after the 2024 T20 World Cup and then lost to England in the first Test of the series.
They even lost a series away to Australia and South Africa in this cycle to bow out of the World Test Championship final race. Currently, they are eighth among the nine teams in the WTC standings.
AAQIB Javed defends Pakistan’s spinly strategy for home
AAQIB Javed also defended the team’s strategy to prepare spin-friendly surfaces at home. Javed feels that a team should be chosen based on the pitch and conditions, which is why Sajid Khan did not find a place in the team for the tour of South Africa.
“Recently, we went to South Africa and required just two wickets to win with 48 runs in the bank. But unfortunately, we couldn’t take the last two wickets. There was no spinner in that team. You need to select the team according to the conditions,” added the former Pakistani pacer.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have been at the forefront of Pakistan’s success in home Tests in recent months. The duo helped the men in green win the last two Tests to earn a series victory 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
Currently, Pakistan is 1-0 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 release is expected to favor Spin again as it did in the first test.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were also at the forefront of 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, off-spinner Sajid Khan finished with figures of 4-65 and 5-50 in both innings to emerge as player of the match. Pakistan will be the favorites in the second Test and are likely to complete a whitewash.
