Prior to the second test against the West Indies in Multan, Aaqib said if the decision to prepare such wickets was taken earlier, Pakistan may have been closer to reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. When he spoke publicly for the first time since he assumed the role of temporary coach for the test team, he said he remained focused on winning test matches and rejected concerns about his team’s strategy.

“Why is it if fast bowlers take wickets, [people say] The test crick is moving forward, and if spinners take wickets, the test crick goes backwards? ”Said Aaqib on the threshold of the match.” I don’t understand. When you go to Australia and England, they prepare courses as they want. So if we prepare to turn wickets and spinners take wickets, what is the problem then?

“Of course we were right in preparing a spin pitch [in the first Test] towards the West Indies. Their batters are not so skilled against spin compared to fast bowling. I will also address concerns about where our test crick is going. If we had made these decisions in the past, then we would have been in the fight for WTC [final]. The rule of test crick is to win at home. If you win at home and you win two to three tests away, you will be a strong candidate for the final. ”

“We used to be strong on [bowling] Reverse swing, but now the skill level has fallen, “he said.” We’ve told our quick bowlers if you want to take wickets here, their ability to swing the other way around. Previously we had shoaib [Akhtar, Waqar [Younis]Wasim [Akram]And both spin and pace bowlers took wickets. “

In the clearest sign that Pakistan’s latest strategy seems to have come to stay, AAQIB acknowledged the toll it took on his team’s baters because “even they have never played under these conditions”. He indicated that major changes in the off -season would follow with regard to Pakistan’s domestic lanes as well as the training regime that the batters would be reviewed to prepare them for these wickets in the future.

“Although foreign players are struggling with spin courts from abroad, our players are too, because they have never played on these courses,” said Aaqid. “Going forward, we have told them that their training and training routines will be aimed at this and we will also change home. Our next test is only in October, so it gives them time to improve their batting.”

Criticism from abroad has focused on whether Pakistan’s tactics correspond to Pitch Doctoring. At home, concerns have been raised over Pakistan’s future ability to develop fast bowlers and quality batting talent, and whether this is likely that it will further erode Pakistan’s competitiveness in the away test series.

“We were in South Africa right now and we were very close to winning a test,” Aaqib said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t take the last two wickets in Centurion. No spinner played the tests for us there. You have to choose a team depending on the conditions you get.

“It’s all about winning tests; that’s what matters. We think we can prepare these lanes in every single center of Pakistan and it should be as hard to beat Pakistan here as it is to beat Australia or South Africa away.