The main target for the Pakistan Cricket Team is the ICC Champions Trophy. Whit-ball coach Aqib Javed has claimed that the focus remains on the Champions trophy and the Men in Green will be fine-tuned in the preparatory series against Zimbabwe and South Africa ahead of the mega tournament.
Aqib Javed has been recently appointed as the interim coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team in white-ball format and will continue his role till the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan will travel to Zimbabwe to take part in 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is before touring South Africa. Against the Proteas, the Men in Green will also play 3 ODIs and 3 T20IS in their bid to prepare for the mega tournament up ahead.
“Our main focus at the moment is on ODI cricket ahead of the Champions Trophy. You’ll see a settled team in this format. You’ll see changes in the T20I format. We plan to give new players chances in the Zimbabwe series,” said Aqib Javed.
“It is a message and opportunity to the new players to take the chances they’ve been given. If you don’t give new players chances, you’ll never get the opportunity to improve your bench strength,” he added.
Fakhar Zaman to be part of the plans
While these white-ball series will help in fine tuning the side before the ICC tournament, Aqib is keen in making minimal changes to the squad. He plans on keeping his team intact to maximize the best he can get from the side.
On the other hand, Aqib remains confident that ace batter Fakhar Zaman will return strongly into the side, once he recovers from his injuries. He claimed that the management has been in touch with the player and he will be back in consideration for selection.
“Fakhar is a match-winner, he has performed for Pakistan for many years. He was having some fitness problems. We are in communication with Fakhar. Whenever he gets fit, the selection committee will definitely consider him for selection and you’ll see him (back playing) in the future,” Aqib concluded.
