Rizwan wants to take recent ODI success into big events

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan is eager to take the one-day cricket success in recent past into the Champions Trophy, saying that collective team effort has made the country proud.

Speaking in the 56th edition of PCB Podcast, Rizwan said that team’s third successive one-day series win was all due to the collective effort. We want to take this success into the coming international events including the Champions Trophy,” he said.

“There is no specific formula or target, but big events are a priority for Pakistan. As a captain, my focus has been to give players full authority over their respective roles. Whether it’s our fast bowlers asserting themselves, batsmen understanding their responsibilities, or everyone contributing collectively, each player knows their job.

The best thing about this Pakistani team is that everyone is putting in their best effort and playing their part. As captain, my aim is to keep this momentum going and make sure we continue to play as a unit,” said Rizwan.

Test captain Shan Masood rated the home Test series win against England as a big achievement. “We played to our strength against England as two spinners Sajid Khan and Nauman utilised the surface fully to give Pakistan a historic Test series win.

In other series we competed well and could not go to finish the match as we experienced here in Centurion where we were all set to win the Test only to lose it at the end,” said Shan. “Coming back after setbacks against Bangladesh and winning against England showcased the team’s character. We have seen many new players step up. Saim, for instance, is quite young. Kamran has come in, Saud and Agha are showing maturity. Alongside them, we have experienced players like Rizwan and Babar.

“The team looks strong, and now it is about moving forward and ensuring we are ruthless when we are in winning positions. “It is crucial to finish this cycle on a high note, as there is no gap before the next World Test Championship begins.

Carrying momentum forward is very important. We are confident that we can perform in a variety of conditions whether spin-friendly or pace-friendly and that we can score runs in challenging situations.

That said, the biggest lesson remains finishing games. Matches that come close to victory must be won if we are to compete in the next World Test Championship. Winning the series against the West Indies will be vital, as we’ve established a way of playing at home and need to carry that forward into the next cycle.”

Pakistan cricket team head coach Aaqib Javed said there should be specialist players for red-ball and white ball cricket. “The secret lies in the principle of ‘horses for courses’. You need to assess which players are suited to specific conditions and identify individuals who can make a difference.

For example, we introduced spinners and made strategic selections like bringing in Sajid for Test cricket after a long gap. Similarly, Abbas was recalled after three years because we believed he could perform well in those conditions.

The key is to analyse the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses, assess the conditions, and make decisions that lead the team towards better performances. “With the way cricket is evolving, we must expand our player pool.

This requires taking brave decisions because, sooner or later, every team must do this. Look at Pakistan’s schedule: starting with England, moving to Australia, then Zimbabwe, followed by South Africa, and now West Indies. After that, the Tri-Nation series and the Champions Trophy, and two days later, white-ball cricket in New Zealand.

It is impossible to rely on the same players for 12 months straight. We need to differentiate, at least to some extent, between red-ball and white-ball teams to ensure players remain energised and motivated. Playing continuously leads to fatigue, both physically and mentally.

While players perform on the field, it is our job to create a challenging environment that pushes everyone to focus on their game and improve.”

He rated the forthcoming series against West Indies as a big challenge. “The West Indies series is a big challenge, especially in Tests. It’s crucial to make the most of our home conditions. South Africa is a top team, and New Zealand follows them.

Playing against these teams will clarify any lingering doubts or areas of improvement. By the time we reach the Champions Trophy, we aim to be a well-rounded team, ready to perform in front of our fans. The Champions Trophy in Pakistan is a significant opportunity. As defending champions, we have a chance to prove ourselves again in our conditions.”