Pakistan’s coach Aaqib Javed stated that pride will motivate the players in their final Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, following their elimination from the tournament after losses to New Zealand and India. While acknowledging the team’s struggles and the emotional impact of their defeat to India, he emphasized the need for redemption and leaving a positive mark in their concluding game.
In a recent statement, Pakistan’s head coach Aaqib Javed expressed that despite being eliminated from the Champions Trophy, pride will be the driving force for the players in their final group match against Bangladesh. The team’s hopes of advancing were dashed following consecutive losses to New Zealand and India, rendering their last Group A encounter in Rawalpindi largely inconsequential. This unfortunate exit marks a disappointing end to Pakistan’s first hosting of a major international cricket competition in thirty years.
Aaqib emphasized that the players are more affected than the fans by the team’s performances, stating, “There are no excuses, there shouldn’t be any in life, but I can assure you that the players are more hurt than the fans and want to leave a mark in the last game.” Despite recent successes in series against Australia and South Africa, the coach acknowledged the emotional turmoil resulting from the loss to India, where the team fell short of expectations.
Having secured a 2-1 series win against Australia and a clean 3-0 sweep against South Africa, Aaqib believes the Champions Trophy is a platform for redemption. He noted, “This is the Champions Trophy, where the eight best teams are playing, so after two defeats we have to start from zero. Every game is played for pride so we want to leave a mark on Thursday.” This sentiment resonates with many, as the team continues to face criticism following their poor performance in several recent competitions.
Acknowledging the heightened intensity of India-Pakistan matches, Aaqib remarked, “People are more involved in an India-Pakistan match and they do not accept a defeat against India and that defeat in Dubai has left them more dejected.” The coach defended his pace bowlers, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, stating that criticism should not fall on a few players despite the team’s struggles.
In summary, Pakistan’s head coach Aaqib Javed remains optimistic about the team’s final match against Bangladesh, driven primarily by a sense of pride following their unfortunate elimination from the Champions Trophy. Despite facing criticism and disappointment, especially after losing to India, he expressed confidence in his players and the need to redeem themselves in their last outing. As the team seeks to conclude their hosting of this major tournament on a positive note, the focus will be on performing honorably and making a lasting impression.
Original Source: www.france24.com
