HYDERABAD: Director High Perfor­mance of the Pakistan Cricket Board and selector Aaqib Javed has said that teams possessing quality spinners have a strong chance of winning the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Speaking to reporters at the local press club in Hyderabad on Friday, Aaqib expressed optimism about Pakistan’s prospects, saying the national side could even lift the trophy. He said Pakistan’s recent outings showed that they had a well-balanced side.

“The team with the best spinners has more chances to win this tournament,” he observed, adding that quality all-rounders and spinners would play a decisive role in Sri Lankan conditions.

Referring to the Feb 15 clash between Pakistan and India, Aqib said there could be “something different” this time as Pakistan were in a better position. “It’s a good time for Pakistan,” he remarked.

Commenting on other teams, he noted that Australia and England appeared to be struggling in the event due to the absence of quality spinners in their ranks.

“Different teams have different strengths. Australia and England don’t look as effective in these conditions as they are at home, whereas Pakistan have the advantage of quality spinners,” he underlined.

Aaqib maintained that a team’s standing in a tournament was largely shaped by its recent performances.

On Babar Azam’s role in T20 cricket, Aaqib said the shortest format had evolved significantly over the past two years. He pointed out that performances in Tests or ODIs could no longer be used as a benchmark for T20 cricket.

“We are used to counting the number of 70s or 100s scored by a player, but T20 cricket has changed. Sometimes 20 off nine balls can be more crucial than a 70 or 80,” he said.

“I don’t think individual milestones matter in T20s anymore. Babar is still important, especially in Sri Lankan conditions, but what matters most now is [timely and fast] contribution rather than fifties or hundreds,” Aaqib insisted.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026