- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
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Azhar Mahmood in a pre match press conference before the match against Canada:
"After two defeats, everyone is quite disheartened. Losing against India is more disappointing than a defeat against the USA," he said.
"At the moment, everyone's morale in the team is down, it's necessary to lift it as we can still bounce back and we won't lose hope until it's over," he added.
"Our shot selection wasn't right, which led to a run rate of 10. We were playing well until the 15th over. We lost as a team and can't blame individuals, he maintained.
"The responsibility of failure lies with the entire management, we all have made mistakes," he said.
"If a player starts doubting their ability, it becomes very difficult. If we play with confidence in ourselves, it will prove everyone wrong.
"Now there's no room for misunderstandings. If someone considers any opponent easy, they don't have a place in international cricket."
On the match vs Canada:
"There are players in Canada who can perform against us. We have to win this match at all costs now."
"Our decision making and short selection was quite questionable. Sometimes the shot is on but the choice of bowler that we pick to attack was not right."
On Pakistan's timid approach:
Everybody criticizes the strike rate of Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan but from the past two years, we've been losing too many wickets after the powerplay, even if we start well in the first six overs. When you play a big tournament, you definitely need a bit of luck on your side.
"We have used different players at different positions but unfortunately, most of our experiments in the batting order couldn't pay off. We certainly need a bit of calmness in the middle. We've to win the next two games."
"If you look at our batting line-up, Shadab Khan plays at number 8 and he can bat. Imad & Shadab in our line-up gives us the balance and you cannot rely on your tailenders to win you matches with the bat. If your top-order is not clicking then you can't expect the guys coming in next to win you games."
"As team management, we accept the blame and we've made mistakes and we have failed as a team."
On rift between Babar & Shaheen.
"There is nothing like that. Both are the stars of Pakistan and they are good friends."
On players enjoying in USA:
"Cricket is played on the field. We're an emotional nation and there is life outside of cricket as well. If you lose a cricket match then it doesn't mean that your life is over. If you sit alone in a room after losing a game then how does it help? Everybody is following the diet plan."
"If you're playing for your country then you can't be complacent. USA & Canada have some good players and they have played first-class cricket in other countries as well. In T20Is you can't take any team lightly and this is our time to show some character."
"We can try new faces against Canada but I am not sure. We will have to do everything to win the next game because it's a do-or-die game for us. We need to be mentally ready for the game. Physical practice doesn't help much. Preparing for the game mentally matters."
"After two defeats, everyone is quite disheartened. Losing against India is more disappointing than a defeat against the USA," he said.
"At the moment, everyone's morale in the team is down, it's necessary to lift it as we can still bounce back and we won't lose hope until it's over," he added.
"Our shot selection wasn't right, which led to a run rate of 10. We were playing well until the 15th over. We lost as a team and can't blame individuals, he maintained.
"The responsibility of failure lies with the entire management, we all have made mistakes," he said.
"If a player starts doubting their ability, it becomes very difficult. If we play with confidence in ourselves, it will prove everyone wrong.
"Now there's no room for misunderstandings. If someone considers any opponent easy, they don't have a place in international cricket."
On the match vs Canada:
"There are players in Canada who can perform against us. We have to win this match at all costs now."
"Our decision making and short selection was quite questionable. Sometimes the shot is on but the choice of bowler that we pick to attack was not right."
On Pakistan's timid approach:
Everybody criticizes the strike rate of Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan but from the past two years, we've been losing too many wickets after the powerplay, even if we start well in the first six overs. When you play a big tournament, you definitely need a bit of luck on your side.
"We have used different players at different positions but unfortunately, most of our experiments in the batting order couldn't pay off. We certainly need a bit of calmness in the middle. We've to win the next two games."
"If you look at our batting line-up, Shadab Khan plays at number 8 and he can bat. Imad & Shadab in our line-up gives us the balance and you cannot rely on your tailenders to win you matches with the bat. If your top-order is not clicking then you can't expect the guys coming in next to win you games."
"As team management, we accept the blame and we've made mistakes and we have failed as a team."
On rift between Babar & Shaheen.
"There is nothing like that. Both are the stars of Pakistan and they are good friends."
On players enjoying in USA:
"Cricket is played on the field. We're an emotional nation and there is life outside of cricket as well. If you lose a cricket match then it doesn't mean that your life is over. If you sit alone in a room after losing a game then how does it help? Everybody is following the diet plan."
"If you're playing for your country then you can't be complacent. USA & Canada have some good players and they have played first-class cricket in other countries as well. In T20Is you can't take any team lightly and this is our time to show some character."
"We can try new faces against Canada but I am not sure. We will have to do everything to win the next game because it's a do-or-die game for us. We need to be mentally ready for the game. Physical practice doesn't help much. Preparing for the game mentally matters."
