"Can't Replace Entire Team With U-19 Squad...": Pakistan Coach Drops Big Bombshell

Pakistan's interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, assured that the management will take steps in the best interest of the national team following their surprise early exit from the ongoing Champions Trophy. Backed as one of the hot favourites, the defending champions, Pakistan, crashed out of the Champions Trophy after surrendering two defeats on the trot. Pakistan's dreadful run started with an imposing six-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener. It continued with a six-wicket hammering at the hands of arch-rival India in Dubai. A major cricket tournament returned to Pakistan for the first time in 29 years, but the hosts' journey will end on Thursday against Bangladesh in the group stage.

Even before Pakistan began its title defence, the Men in Green were surrounded by questions and criticism over the team selection, especially the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah from fans and former cricketers.

Ahead of their final group stage match in Rawalpindi, Aaqib rejected the notion that players were selected without merit. He shed light on the "belief" behind the selection and claimed the players selected made the "best possible" team they could have had.

"Not a single player in the squad was included without performance. We cannot simply replace the entire team with the Under-19 squad just because we lost," Aaqib told reporters in a press conference, as quoted from Geo News.

"You can never be fully satisfied, but this was the best possible team we had. The belief behind the selection was to create the strongest squad," he added.

Aaqib addressed Pakistan's shambolic performances in the tournament and claimed that decisions in the future must be made in the "best interest" of the team.

"The selection