Aaqib Javed takes responsibility for Pakistan's CT 2025 disaster, makes big statement on Babar Azam

Pakistan's interim head coach Aaqib Javed has taken responsibility for the team's disappointing performance in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Pakistan lost their first two games to New Zealand and India respectively and crashed out of the tournament.

Aaqib Javed also defended his team's star cricketers like Babar Azam and the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. He still feels that these players are the best in the world despite ordinary performances lately.

Javed was asked various questions which also involved about the match against India. He gave the reason for Pakistan's crushing defeat to the arch-rivals and claimed that his team was selected on the basis of performance.

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Aaqib Javed takes responsibility for Pakistan's defeat

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the final match of the Champions Trophy 2025. Before the match, Aaqib Javed took it upon himself to answer the tough questions of the journalists. The former Pakistan quick took all the responsibility for Pakistan's embarrassing performance.

"It's my responsibility - whatever happens, it's on me," Javed told the reporters in the press conference.

Aqib Javed takes responsibility for Pakistan's poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy.
"It's my responsibility - whatever happens, it's on me," Aqib Javed during the pre match press conference today. pic.twitter.com/BizT5VavCT

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) February 26, 2025

When asked if there would be a revamp in the Pakistan team after this loss, Aaqib Javed denied such claims and replied that the whole team cannot be changed just on the basis of one defeat.

"Ye Nahi Kar Saktay k Team Haar Gai tu pori Team Badal den or Under 19 ki Team Khila den (We can't change the whole team and play an Under-19 side just because the team has lost)," Javed replied.

Ye Nahi Kar Saktay k Team Haar Gai tu pori Team Badal den or Under 19 ki Team Khila den : Aqib Javed pic.twitter.com/kLkBhfxVg7

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) February 26, 2025

Aaqib Javed defends Pakistan's star players

The head coach also defended Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf despite an ordinary outing in the tournament. He also backed Babar Azam and claimed that Pakistan do not have any replacement for him.

"If you compare Shaheen (Afridi), Haris (Rauf), and Naseem (Shah) to the world's top bowlers, I still firmly believe that our bowlers are the best in the world. And as for Babar Azam, tell me, who's capable of replacing him?" he argued.

"If you compare Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem to the world's top bowlers, I still firmly believe that our bowlers are the best in the world. And as for Babar Azam, tell me, who's capable of replacing him?" - Aqib Javed pic.twitter.com/JQ0A8Btw5J

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) February 26, 2025

Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf have picked up 2 wickets each in the two matches played in the Champions Trophy so far. The fast bowlers are regarded quite highly in world cricket but haven't been at their best in the ongoing tournament so far.

Aaqib Javed compares the experience of India and Pakistan

Aaqib Javed was also asked about the comparison with Team India. The former Pakistan fast bowler admitted that India have loads of experience having played 1500 ODIs overall while Pakistan have played just 400, which shows the gulf of experience between the two teams.

"This Indian Team has played over 1500 ODIs and Pakistan whole team has played around 400, Experience counts in high pressure games like India and Pakistan," Javed said.

This Indian Team has played over 1500 ODIs and Pakistan whole team has played around 400, Experience counts in High Pressure Games like India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 : Aqib Javed pic.twitter.com/m1HXs3xQJQ

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) February 26, 2025

"This is the best team we've selected" - Aaqib Javed

Aaqib Javed was also asked about Pakistan's squad selection which has come under a lot of scrutiny. He maintained on his statement that every player in the squad was selected on the basis of their performances. When the question was asked about the left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, Javed claimed his lack of experience for the non-selection.

"This is the best team we've selected. Every player who's been included has performed well. Some people are talking about Sufyan Muqeem, but I can tell you that he's only played one game," Javed added.

This is the best team we've selected. Every player who's been included has performed well. Some people are talking about Sufyan Muqeem, but I can tell you that he's only played one game: Aqib Javed Defiant pic.twitter.com/tAbakzgonj

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) February 26, 2025

Sufiyan Muqeem is seen as the future of Pakistan cricket but is inexperienced at the international level. However, he was impressive in the only ODI he played as he finished with 4-52 against South Africa at Johannesburg.

Pakistan's squad was questioned even at the time it was selected. The selection of just one specialist spinner in the form of Abrar Ahmed raised questions over the team's Playing XI. While Abrar bowled well, they missed a second specialist spinner in the Playing XI.

Pakistan will play Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27 in their final match of the tournament. They are already out of contention for the semi-finals but will be looking to end their campaign on a high.