Aaqib Javed points out difference in experience after Champions Trophy loss against India

Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed reckons the vast difference in experience between Indian and Pakistan players was a major factor after their six-wicket loss in the Champions Trophy clash at Dubai on Sunday. The Men in Green was skittled out for 241 runs after electing to bat first whereas India was able to chase down the target with 45 balls to spare.

India’s veteran Virat Kohli scored a match-winning knock of 100 runs off 111 balls whereas Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill scored 56 and 46 runs respectively in the run-chase. 

Pakistan was knocked out of the Champions Trophy after losing their opening two matches against New Zealand and India. 

Javed noted that while Indian players have played 1500 matches together, Pakistan players have played less than 400 games together.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Javed said, “When Pakistan and India is playing, it’s not only cricket – it’s more than that. You need a lot of experience. This Indian team was the most experienced – they have almost 1500 games together. And Pakistan is on the bottom, with less than 400 games together. If you look at players like Babar Azam is the only one who has played more than 100 games. Then there’s Mohammad Rizwan and then Shaheen Afridi. The rest of them have less than 30 matches.

“Tayyab Tahir has played like eight games. Imam-ul-Haq was coming back in the team. The main thing is, when nothing works, and when you are talking about more than a game, then the experience counts. There is no doubt.”

On the other hand, Javed defended Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, who have been under the pump for their performance.

“A common person who doesn’t play and is not part of the team management wants reasons and the names of people because of whom this team is losing. As far as Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris are concerned, our plan was to make the best possible 11 or 15. There is no doubt that Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris are excellent bowlers. If you compare them with the bowling attack of any team, they are one of the best fast-bowling options.”

Pakistan will play its final game of the tournament against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday.