Pakistan selection committee member Aaqib Javed said on Sunday that former captain Babar Azam’s presence was necessary for the T20 World Cup, given the demanding conditions of the tournament.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Aaqib said Pakistan cricket must move with the times, adding that the game has changed significantly over the past several years.

“We are still stuck in the 1990s. Cricket has changed a lot in recent years,” Aaqib added. He stressed that a player like Babar Azam remained vital in challenging conditions.

“In difficult conditions, having Babar Azam is essential,” he said. “The team needs a player who can perform in all conditions.”

Aaqib said team selection depended heavily on match conditions and combinations.

“We have to look at the conditions we are playing in,” he said. “We form combinations after assessing those conditions.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Salman Agha said the team would need to play good cricket to secure victories in the World Cup. “Our performances in the last three tournaments were not good,” Agha said. “The World Cup is always a challenging event. We cannot afford to relax.”

He added that the team was motivated and ready for the tournament.

“We are excited and prepared for the World Cup,” the captain said. “In Sri Lankan conditions, matches are usually not high-scoring,” he maintained.