Aaqib Javed Not Worried About India’s Spin Threat In Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan’s bowling coach, Aaqib Javed, has expressed that his team does not worry about India’s spin threat during the mouth-watering clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 as the arch-rivals are locking horns on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It's a contrasting situation for both sides, as Pakistan finds themselves in a do-or-die position of winning the clash against the Blue Brigade to stay alive in the tournament, while the informed Indian side could book a ticket in the semifinal if they blow away the Mohammad Rizwan-led side in this fixture.

Aaqib Javed eliminates India’s advantage of five spinners

During the opening clash against Bangladesh, India went with two genuine pacers, Mohammad Shami and Harshit Rana, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya, besides keeping two left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and the left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, in the side.

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Axar got two wickets in successive deliveries, sending back opening Tanzid Hasan and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, as the three spinners conceded just 123 runs in 28 overs at an average of around four. It was a huge advantage for the Blue Brigade, but Aaqib Javed has ruled it out as a disadvantage for the Green Brigade.

“Other teams have too many spinners, and we have fewer spin options. The teams play their game on their strength. We have like a specialist three, I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today's game with Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris.” Aaqib Javed expressed during the pre-match press conference.

“It reminds me of the 90’s. India has a plan to play 3-4 spinners. That is their plan. We have to play our cricket on our strength. Our team will not see any major changes.” The Green Brigade’s interim head coach addressed.

Aaqib Javed rules out spinners’ advantage on Dubai surface

The Dubai surface against Bangladesh remained the same even in the second innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain troubled the Indian batters in the middle overs, as the latter picked up two wickets, including Virat Kohli, for 38 runs in his 10 overs.

Pakistan has lacked in this department, as Abrar Ahmed is their only specialist spinner in the squad, with the part-timers Khusdil Shah, Salman Agha, and Kamran Ghulam being there to support him.

Aaqib Javed reckoned that they won’t need many spinners on the surface against India as the ball will not turn square on those surfaces.

“If you look at Pakistan, we are playing very little spin. You have one specialist spinner and two all-rounders. One is a left-arm, Khusdil, and the other is Agha Salman, who bowls off-spin. So, you have to keep a balance, like 20 overs, 25 overs, pace, and bounce.” Pakistan’s former pacer claimed.

“It's not possible to have five spinners here. And you won't see any pitches where you feel that the ball is turning too much, and there's a lot for spinners, and there's nothing for fast bowlers.” The Punjab-born highlighted.

Aaqib Javed predicts Dubai's surface against India

The surface in Dubai will play slow, as Aaqib Javed expects, partly because of the tiredness of the tracks for the recently concluded ILT20 over the past few weeks. Very few of the strips on the square are fresh.

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“We also have to see the pitch and the ground here. Are these similar to the one we have in Pakistan, or are they different? We will play by the pitches, conditions, and the opposition team.” The veteran suggests.

He is confident of their players, getting used to the conditions, having played in the country for nearly a decade, along with a few seasons of the PSL.