Islamabad, Feb 7: Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aqib Javed, has minimized the significance of Jasprit Bumrah’s potential threat ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite Bumrah’s status as one of the world’s leading fast bowlers, Javed expressed concerns about the Indian pacer’s fitness and downplayed the idea of focusing solely on him during the high-profile tournament.
In comments made during his team’s training session in Lahore, Javed confidently remarked that Pakistan’s strategy would not revolve around countering Bumrah exclusively. “India should be more concerned about Bumrah’s fitness,” Javed said, adding, “Having a bowler like Bumrah is an advantage, but it’s not as if we’ll plan everything around him.”
Bumrah has been sidelined since early 2025 with recurring back spasms sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, casting doubt on his availability for India’s Champions Trophy fixtures despite his inclusion in the squad. While some cricketing legends have linked Bumrah’s fitness to India’s chances of securing their third Champions Trophy title, Javed remains unperturbed by such thoughts.
The Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19, will see the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As the tournament draws near, Javed emphasized the need for his team to respect all the competing nations, highlighting the intense competition among the top eight sides.
While doubts about Bumrah’s fitness persist, Aqib Javed maintains his confidence in Pakistan’s team-focused approach. He underscored the collective strength of the squad and their ability to adapt to the challenges presented by each opponent. As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 intensifies, all eyes will be on Dubai, where fierce rivalries and fresh ambitions are set to collide. No matter how much of an impact Bumrah may have, Javed’s focus remains on Pakistan’s game plan and the collective effort of his team.
