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HYDERABAD: Pakistan’s national cricket team is undergoing a significant transition and a marked improvement in performance should be visible within the next year, selector and PCB Director of High Performance AAaqib Javed said on Friday.
Speaking to journalists at the Police Headquarters ground after visiting Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium, AAaqib addressed the team’s recent inconsistent results, attributing part of the challenge to a long-term lack of competitive cricket and infrastructure development at home.
“I think it depends on the era when you are playing against other competitive side and I think after 2000 or 2010 a rapid change is witnessed in the game of cricket with some teams becoming professionals and some took their professionalism to the next level,” AAaqib remarked.
He explained that Pakistan’s stadiums were devoid of international cricket for 12-15 years, which stunted the necessary growth of cricket infrastructure.
“When you players don’t have grounds to play and academies to learn then temporarily you don’t feel the difference or you feel that things are heading in the right direction. But when your pipeline [of producing cricketers] becomes empty the gaps start emerging,” he said.
Despite these historical gaps, AAaqib expressed optimism, pointing to promising youngsters and ongoing infrastructure projects.
“Positive side is that we are seeing hope in youngsters. Even two players Salman and Saad Khan from Hyderabad will hopefully be playing for the national side,” he disclosed, describing the current phase as a “shift” in national cricket.
“This is a shift and it can take time. I don’t say it will take five years’ time but in next one year you will find improvement,” Aaqib promised.
The former pacer, who famously took 4/29 against a Sachin Tendulkar-led India at the same Niaz Stadium in 1997, defended the recent team performance under T20 captain Salman Ali Agha.
He noted that Pakistan qualified for the final of the Asia Cup and “gave a tough time to India with a tremendous fight.”
He also highlighted a Test victory against South Africa, noting the second Test was lost after Pakistan had a good chance to win.
“It’s not been too long that Salman is at the helm. You don’t achieve all the things you aspire to in two to three months. I am satisfied with the Asian Cup and the performance which we lost after a close fight,” he said, adding that Pakistan has won four of its last six Tests.
Aaqib defended the strategy of preparing spin-friendly pitches for home Test series.
“You always look how to win the Test match or any other strategy can help win you matches. Every home side takes advantage of home ground therefore we should also do the same”.
When asked about India’s current dominance compared to the 70s-90s period when Pakistan often prevailed, he conceded that India had done “labourious work” in their cricket.
“But Pakistan was not able to focus development of game in last 14-15 years. The beginning has been made now and we will compete again,” he stated.
Aaqib emphasised that the focus is now on reviving grassroots cricket, which is why he is visiting centers like Quetta, Hyderabad and Peshawar.
“Right from seniors to youngsters falling in the U-15 to U-17 categories everyone needs an enabling cricket environment to produce quality cricketers,” he said, warning that without this focus, “the pipeline of producing cricketers becomes weaker.”
During his visit, Aaqib met Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Shoro, who proposed handing over the stadium to the PCB for hosting PSL matches and ODIs.
Aaqib said he was glad to see the stadium’s condition and noted that “first class matches can be played in Niaz Stadium.”
However, for international PSL and ODI games, certain standards must be met.
“I am told that the Hyderabad leadership is building a hostel. Practice area needs to be developed here. The dressing room has some standards so we will share requirements and proposals so that the stadium was able to host PSL and ODI,” he said.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2025
