Aqib Javed Responds to Criticism of Pakistan’s Spin-Spiced Strategy in Test Cricket
Multan, 24 January 2025
Pakistan’s interim head coach Aqib Javed has firmly defended the strategy of preparing spin-friendly pitches in the ongoing home Test series against West Indies, ahead of the second Test starting tomorrow.
Pakistan claimed victory in the first Test, wrapping up the match before tea on the third day, with Sajid Khan taking 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finishing with 4-27 to dismiss the West Indies for 123. Pakistan had set a target of 251 runs, and spinners dominated the match, taking 34 of the 40 wickets that fell. Notably, Pakistan bowled just one over of pace in the entire Test, prompting some criticism over their reliance on spin-friendly pitches.
However, Aqib Javed stood by the approach, emphasizing the importance of leveraging home conditions to secure victories. Speaking during a press conference, Javed remarked, “I’ve been hearing a lot, and people are commenting on where our Test cricket is heading. If these decisions had been made earlier in Test cricket, we might have been in the race for the WTC final.”
He further pointed out that countries like South Africa, Australia, and England prepare pitches that favor pace bowlers, which is a natural tactic to gain home advantage. “We played in South Africa and didn’t field a spinner there due to the conditions. Similarly, pitches in Australia and England favor pace bowlers,” Javed said.
The former pacer expressed frustration with the differing perceptions of pitch conditions. “Every country prepares pitches according to their advantage to win matches. I don’t understand the problem with spin-friendly wickets. If pace bowlers take wickets, people say cricket is progressing, but if spinners take wickets, they say cricket is going backwards. I don’t understand this,” Javed added.
The second Test between Pakistan and West Indies will take place in Multan tomorrow, January 25, with Pakistan aiming to extend their dominance in home conditions.
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