On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Aaqib Javed, a former fast bowler, would serve as the team’s interim head coach of Pakistan Cricket Team until the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Aaqib will continue to hold the position of senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee throughout this time, and after the eight-team competition is over, he will be given more duties.
The PCB will start the hiring process for a permanent white-ball head coach of Pakistan in the interim, with the goal of having the position filled by the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set for February 19–March 9.
Prior to the current tour of Australia, Gary Kirsten resigned last month, leaving the white-ball coaching position empty.
Red-ball head coach of Pakistan Jason Gillespie, who will now return to the team for the forthcoming two-Test series in South Africa, having managed the team during the tour of Australia while Kirsten was away.
The Pakistan men’s team will play as many white-ball matches in South Africa (10–22 December) as well as three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (24 November–5 December).
From February 8–14, Pakistan will host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI triangular series in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Having previously been Pakistan’s bowling coach during their victorious 2009 ICC T20 World Cup campaign, Aaqib Javed has a wealth of coaching expertise. He served as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka men’s squad earlier this year.
Before that, as head coach of Pakistan, he also managed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to qualify for the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and earn ODI status.
In addition, the right-arm pacer coached Pakistan’s Under-19 squad during their 2004 U19 World Cup victory.
Aaqib Javed Coaching Achievements:
- Pakistan Under-19 Team:
- Aaqib Javed led Pakistan to win the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2004, showcasing his ability to nurture young talent.
- Lahore Qalandars (PSL):
- As the head coach of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Aaqib guided the team to their first PSL title in 2022 and repeated the success in 2023, marking him as one of the most successful coaches in the league’s history.
- Under his coaching, players like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman rose to prominence.
- Pakistan Senior Teams:
- Aaqib has served as Pakistan’s bowling coach and was instrumental in refining the skills of top bowlers like Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul during his tenure
- UAE Cricket Team:
- He also took charge of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team, helping them qualify for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup after an 18-year absenceCricbuzz.
- National Cricket Academy (NCA), Pakistan:
- Aaqib played a pivotal role at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, mentoring young players and fast bowlers.
Coaching Style:
Aaqib’s coaching emphasizes disciplined bowling and developing mental toughness. His hands-on approach has been crucial in building team confidence and producing consistent performers at various levels
