Pakistan selector says team narrowly missed semi-final spot due to net run rate and defends players and selection committee amid criticism.

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Aaqib Javed has defended the performance of the Pakistan national cricket team following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, urging fans and media to stop the cycle of blaming individuals after disappointing results.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Aaqib said Pakistan’s elimination from the tournament was largely due to net run rate rather than poor overall performance. According to him, the situation should not be exaggerated to suggest that Pakistan cricket is in crisis.

The press conference was unusual as it was attended by the entire men’s selection committee even though no squad announcement was scheduled. Shortly after the briefing, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that its chairman Mohsin Naqvi had met the selectors and expressed full confidence in their work. The board also encouraged them not to be overly concerned about criticism that emerges purely for the sake of criticism.

Aaqib emphasised that constant calls for drastic changes whenever the team loses have become a recurring problem in Pakistan cricket. He noted that after every major tournament — whether the ICC Champions Trophy, the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup — there are demands to remove coaches, players or selectors. According to him, such frequent changes rarely happen in other major cricketing nations and Pakistan must move beyond this habit of “scapegoating” individuals.

The selection panel itself has seen several changes in recent months. Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed recently joined the committee, while umpire Aleem Dar stepped down after the T20 World Cup. Former batter Azhar Ali had also left the panel earlier. Despite the changes, Aaqib has remained a constant figure since his appointment in October 2024.

Defending the team’s progress over the past 18 months, Aaqib pointed to several positive results achieved during his tenure. Pakistan secured a historic Test-series win against England cricket team, claimed an ODI series victory in Australia after more than two decades, and completed a 3-0 ODI sweep against South Africa national cricket team in South Africa — a feat no visiting side had achieved before.

However, he acknowledged that the team’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was disappointing. Pakistan, hosting the tournament for the first time in nearly 30 years, were knocked out after defeats to New Zealand national cricket team and India national cricket team, finishing at the bottom of their group.

Aaqib also admitted that losses to India are always painful but stressed that such results have historically been common in ICC tournaments. He argued that Pakistan’s World Cup record against India has been challenging across generations of players and captains.

Looking ahead, Pakistan’s next major assignment will come after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League 2026 season. The team is scheduled to play a two-Test series against the Bangladesh national cricket team in May.

Currently touring Bangladesh for a limited-overs series, Pakistan have selected a youthful squad featuring six potential debutants, four of whom have already earned their first ODI caps. The ongoing series stands level at 1-1, offering the selectors another opportunity to assess emerging talent for the future.