‘We want to play winning cricket’ - Pakistan coach Grant Bradburn demands aggressive approach from players

Despite performing well, Pakistan failed to clinch the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2022. The Men in Green qualified for the finals on both occasions but their approach in the final was entirely defensive, which led to defeat in both the matches. Newly appointed head coach Grant Bradburn wants to change that and expects his boys to play an aggressive brand of cricket in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. 

He confirmed that the training for the same has already started in the nets as Pakistan aim to win both the Asia Cup and World Cup in 2023. However, he added that their skillset shouldn’t be restricted only to nets but the same should be shown on the field as well. Bradburn also mentioned that this is not just a simple communication but a demand from the coaching staff.

“We're not training to show skills in the nets. We are looking to use those skills in the game. And it's not a request from coaches to players. It's a necessity for them to be in the team because that's the way the game is moving forward globally. We want to play winning cricket. We have to demand that from our players. The game is moving forward all the time. And we want to be leaders of the game,” Bradburn was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

We are very clear around our starting XI: Bradburn

Bradburn also clarified that the team management is very sure about their playing XI in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. He mentioned that the cricketers who play an aggressive brand of cricket have been given priority as they want to utilise the middle overs, an area that the Babar Azam-led side has failed to cash on in the last few months. 

“In some ways, the selection has been difficult, but in our minds, the selection is being very easy. And what I mean by that is we are very clear around our starting XI, we are very clear around our batting approach, the way we want to approach the game. We are very clear around how we want to attack the game, particularly in the middle overs. Pakistan hasn't been successful in the middle overs as well as we should be. We are working hard on developing some skills to really attack that middle-overs period with some hostility, not only with the bat but with the ball and with our field placings as well. We want to take wickets through that period,” he added.