Aaqib Javed Backs Pakistan's Pace Trio Against India

Aaqib Javed insisted that Pakistan will bank on the tried and tested pace attack rather than falling back on spin options. "We have like a specialist three, I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today's game with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf," said the Pakistan coach.

His observations come in light of the spin-heavy attack that Rohit Sharma's India have for the Champions Trophy. "It reminds me of the 90s," Aaqib said. "I have heard lots of options and discussions going on. Other teams have too many spinners and we have lesser spin options. The teams play their game on their own strength."

Aaqib was alluding to the three-pronged attack he was part of in the 90s when the Pakistan attack, consisting of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, that would create havoc in the rival camps. In a particular ODI game against India, he had claimed a hat-trick and went on claim seven wickets in Sharjah.

He continued on the subject of his team's pace-centric attack. "As far as you are saying that India has a plan to play 3-4 spinners. That is their plan. We have to play our cricket on our own strength. Our team will not see any major changes. We have selected a team based on our beliefs. We will back this team. Our fast-bowling options are the best. These are the match winners."

The Pakistan coach also disagreed that India will have an advantage having played a game at the Dubai stadium already. "Not at all," he responded to the question. "Because if you look at all the Pakistani players, they've been playing leagues here. The PSL was played here. So, there is nothing really in the conditions. I don't think there is any advantage and disadvantage."

He also addressed the ubiquitous pressure factor in an India-Pakistan game and felt that without pressure the rivalry would lose sheen. "See, what is pressure? To do well? And or if it doesn't go well, what will happen? These are the thoughts before and after the match. Right now, we are all guessing what will happen in this match. This is the beauty of it, what will happen. Nobody knows anything."

He stressed on the point that the pressure will remain in every India-Pakistan game even after one team wins continuously 10 games. "What pressure? Because every game is different. And an India-Pakistan match, even if it is after 10 matches, after winning 10 matches or after losing six matches, it cannot change the beauty of an India-Pakistan match."

He disagreed with the perception that ODIs should be played with a Twenty20 mindset and contended that 50-over cricket has become the most demanding of the three formats requiring the highest levels of fitness. "You don't have to start playing T20 style in one day matches," he remarked.

"The 50-over cricket has become more challenging. After 35-40 overs, the game has to be improved, you have to improve your fitness level. If you focus on T20 matches the entire year – you don't go over the 30 overs. Even after 20 overs, you have to stay for 30 overs more."

"So, I think fitness is the biggest challenge. There is Test cricket, you play for two hours, then you have lunch break, then two hours and then tea break. In this (ODIs), you have to be on the ground for three and half hours and sometimes more. You have to be focused. It's a fast game. I think fitness is the key."