In a striking admission, a top Pakistan cricket official has revealed he is actively studying and emulating India's highly successful model in white-ball cricket to revitalize his own nation's struggling system.
Learning from the Neighbours' Dominance
Aaqib Javed, the senior Pakistan selector and head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), spoke candidly on a PCB podcast. He stated that he has closely analysed India's recent trophy-laden run to find a formula for Pakistan's revival. The former fast bowler pointed to India's sustained excellence across tournaments as a clear roadmap for any cricket nation aiming for long-term glory.
"I have looked at India's success and have tried to execute plans for the betterment of Pakistan cricket," Aaqib confessed. He firmly believes that the foundation of any cricket nation's success lies in the quality of its talent, a department where India has excelled.
India's golden period, which Aaqib referenced, includes winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2024, the Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier in 2024, and the Asia Cup in September 2024 where they defeated Pakistan in the final.
Systems Over Individuals: The Core Lesson
Aaqib Javed attributed India's remarkable consistency to robust systems rather than reliance on individual stars. He offered a critical self-assessment of Pakistan's approach, admitting fundamental flaws.
"I think we fell away in doing the basic things correctly in our cricket system," he said. He emphasised that merely changing personnel like the captain, coach, or selector is ineffective without a deep pool of quality players. "No matter who you appoint... unless you have quality talent, nothing changes."
He elaborated that developing such talent is impossible without strong infrastructure and intense domestic competition. "Quality of talent can be assured by increasing bench strength and competition, and this is only possible with proper infrastructure and system," Aaqib explained.
Optimism for Pakistan and the Upcoming T20 World Cup
Despite acknowledging past shortcomings, Aaqib expressed optimism about Pakistan's current trajectory. Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup early next year in India and Sri Lanka, he believes the timing is perfect for his team.
"Indications are all there. We have good players, they have combined well and importantly there is a choice of players now," he noted. He added that playing all their group matches in Sri Lanka would particularly favour Pakistan's style. "If the World Cup had been in Australia or South Africa, I would have thought differently. But this is the best time for the team to do well."
Aaqib also highlighted the improving depth in Pakistan's domestic cricket and the 'Shaheens' setup, asserting that three to four players are ready to step up to the international level. However, he redefined modern talent, stating it now encompasses more than just skill. "Nowadays, talent is also about mental strength because players are constantly under scrutiny."
When addressing the inevitable criticism that comes with the job, Aaqib was pragmatic. "The criticism is an aftershock; it only comes after a poor performance. Why should I mind it?" he questioned. "The only way you can avoid being criticised is to do well." His comments underscore a new focus on performance and structure, inspired by the proven success of their arch-rivals across the border.
