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Saim Ayub speaking during pre-match press conference ahead of the Pakistan vs India game in Asia Cup 2025:
About the upcoming match against India:
“It’s definitely a big match for the fans. From their point of view, yes. But as a team, we don’t look at it that way. We focus on the next match, day by day, and try to follow the same process. We look for improvements in our execution and trust each other as a team. If someone doesn’t perform or has a dip in form, we know that one player can win us a big match or a few back-to-back games, and that covers it. It’s a team of 11 to 15 players—we don’t want just one or two to keep performing. We want everyone to contribute, match by match, and that’s how our combination works.”
About the decision of batting first against Oman:
“We saw the conditions—it looked pretty dry, and we thought there wouldn’t be any dew. So, batting first and setting a big target, then defending it on that slow pitch, would be difficult for them. That’s why we chose to bat first.”
About Pakistan failing to chase 120 against India in the T20 World Cup last year:
“That was a year and a half ago. If you’d asked me back then, I could’ve told you how it felt. Now I honestly don’t remember—it’s been a long time.”
About Team Combination:
“As I said earlier, we trust each other as a team. It’s a long-term process built on mutual trust, so players stay confident and everyone contributes to winning matches. What’s in our hands is the effort—we can’t predict who will perform on the day.”
“As for the team combination, you can see we try to assess conditions. On match day, it’s about how the pitch looks. If it seems dry, we go with three spinners. If we feel a fast bowler is needed, the coaches make that call.”
About his batting being affected due to bowling:
“Bowling, batting, and fielding are three separate things. As a player, we just want to fulfill whatever role we’re given. It’s about who performs on the day—that’s not in our hands. Effort is in our hands. So maybe tomorrow I win a big match and everything gets covered. We trust ourselves. Everyone trusts each other. Let’s hope we keep winning big matches together.”
About pressure and expectations for the upcoming game against India:
“For the past three to four months, our team combination and management have been giving the same message: learn from the past and move forward. Don’t dwell on what’s behind, and don’t over-focus on what’s ahead. Just focus on the next match, one by one. We’re trying to improve our execution and follow the process. It’s not about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow—it’s about what we can do best right now, together. That’s what matters most to us. We try to play fearless cricket against every opponent.”
Memories of the India-Pakistan rivalry:
“Memories don’t matter now. This tournament is what matters most. We’re not just looking forward to the Pakistan-India match—we’re looking forward to winning the tournament.”
About injury and the challenges after comeback:
“It’s challenging to have an injury. But it’s not in our hands—it’s uncontrollable. If it happens, you do what you have to do, then come back to the field and give full effort.”
About the challenge of facing Jasprit Bumrah:
“It’s definitely a challenge. When you’re playing a match, every bowler is a challenge. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to win the match for your team. Staying in the present moment and handling pressure—that’s what’s important.”
About the upcoming match against India:
“It’s definitely a big match for the fans. From their point of view, yes. But as a team, we don’t look at it that way. We focus on the next match, day by day, and try to follow the same process. We look for improvements in our execution and trust each other as a team. If someone doesn’t perform or has a dip in form, we know that one player can win us a big match or a few back-to-back games, and that covers it. It’s a team of 11 to 15 players—we don’t want just one or two to keep performing. We want everyone to contribute, match by match, and that’s how our combination works.”
About the decision of batting first against Oman:
“We saw the conditions—it looked pretty dry, and we thought there wouldn’t be any dew. So, batting first and setting a big target, then defending it on that slow pitch, would be difficult for them. That’s why we chose to bat first.”
About Pakistan failing to chase 120 against India in the T20 World Cup last year:
“That was a year and a half ago. If you’d asked me back then, I could’ve told you how it felt. Now I honestly don’t remember—it’s been a long time.”
About Team Combination:
“As I said earlier, we trust each other as a team. It’s a long-term process built on mutual trust, so players stay confident and everyone contributes to winning matches. What’s in our hands is the effort—we can’t predict who will perform on the day.”
“As for the team combination, you can see we try to assess conditions. On match day, it’s about how the pitch looks. If it seems dry, we go with three spinners. If we feel a fast bowler is needed, the coaches make that call.”
About his batting being affected due to bowling:
“Bowling, batting, and fielding are three separate things. As a player, we just want to fulfill whatever role we’re given. It’s about who performs on the day—that’s not in our hands. Effort is in our hands. So maybe tomorrow I win a big match and everything gets covered. We trust ourselves. Everyone trusts each other. Let’s hope we keep winning big matches together.”
About pressure and expectations for the upcoming game against India:
“For the past three to four months, our team combination and management have been giving the same message: learn from the past and move forward. Don’t dwell on what’s behind, and don’t over-focus on what’s ahead. Just focus on the next match, one by one. We’re trying to improve our execution and follow the process. It’s not about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow—it’s about what we can do best right now, together. That’s what matters most to us. We try to play fearless cricket against every opponent.”
Memories of the India-Pakistan rivalry:
“Memories don’t matter now. This tournament is what matters most. We’re not just looking forward to the Pakistan-India match—we’re looking forward to winning the tournament.”
About injury and the challenges after comeback:
“It’s challenging to have an injury. But it’s not in our hands—it’s uncontrollable. If it happens, you do what you have to do, then come back to the field and give full effort.”
About the challenge of facing Jasprit Bumrah:
“It’s definitely a challenge. When you’re playing a match, every bowler is a challenge. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to win the match for your team. Staying in the present moment and handling pressure—that’s what’s important.”
