- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 27,469
Saud Shakeel speaking to media ahead of the second Test against West Indies:
About the strategy for the 2nd Test match:
“The most important thing is that if you are batting first, try to put up a good total on the board. This will give you an advantage throughout the match and make it easier for you. If the conditions are like this, you don't think about scoring 500 or 600. Instead, aim for something more realistic, like 350 or 400. Play according to the conditions at that time and then set your target accordingly.”
About improvement in ICC rankings:
“I always strive to perform well enough to help the team win, and that is what is most important to me. Yes, ranking is also important for personal pride and for the sake of Pakistan, but if I perform well and help the team win, and if my ranking improves as a result, that feels great. It shows that I am among the best in world cricket. My goal is to keep improving gradually and work towards it, but my primary focus is always on the team.”
About Playing 11:
“When we win a match, we try to maintain the same squad if the conditions are similar. I don't think there should be many changes when everything is going well. All the players are performing well, the team is winning, and the morale is high. We have a great dressing room environment, so I think we should stick with the same setup.”
About spin-friendly tracks in domestic cricket:
“Batters face difficulties because the pitches are challenging. Look at the pitches in England, and even here, the conditions are not easy. When it's an international match and the other team is playing well, they will challenge you. If we think about this and stay focused, I believe that even in domestic matches, if there are 10 matches in a season, the last few should be played under slightly challenging pitches. A little bit of practice on such pitches can be beneficial. Our club grounds also provide such pitches, and practicing on grass can help. But it's up to us as professionals to think about what tasks is lying ahead and how to prepare for them.”
About openers:
“The conditions are very challenging. In such conditions, if you have played on grass pitches, the new ball becomes very important. Personally, I believe that if you look at our bowling, Sajid Khan takes wickets in the first few overs with the new ball. Our openers have struggled a bit in these conditions, but that's where the challenges come in, and that's their job. Hopefully, they will do well.”
Concerns over future cricket pitches being disadvantageous:
“I don't think these pitches will be a disadvantage. The things that are happening now are good, and we should appreciate them. We are winning, so we should feel happy about it. If we draw a match or something happens, then we can ask why we are struggling in such conditions. But regarding the greats you mentioned, they also became legends by playing on such difficult pitches. If we perform well here and win matches for Pakistan, hopefully, we will also be included in Pakistan's greats. So, it's a big challenge for us to score runs in these conditions and win matches for the Pakistan team.”
About the strategy for the 2nd Test match:
“The most important thing is that if you are batting first, try to put up a good total on the board. This will give you an advantage throughout the match and make it easier for you. If the conditions are like this, you don't think about scoring 500 or 600. Instead, aim for something more realistic, like 350 or 400. Play according to the conditions at that time and then set your target accordingly.”
About improvement in ICC rankings:
“I always strive to perform well enough to help the team win, and that is what is most important to me. Yes, ranking is also important for personal pride and for the sake of Pakistan, but if I perform well and help the team win, and if my ranking improves as a result, that feels great. It shows that I am among the best in world cricket. My goal is to keep improving gradually and work towards it, but my primary focus is always on the team.”
About Playing 11:
“When we win a match, we try to maintain the same squad if the conditions are similar. I don't think there should be many changes when everything is going well. All the players are performing well, the team is winning, and the morale is high. We have a great dressing room environment, so I think we should stick with the same setup.”
About spin-friendly tracks in domestic cricket:
“Batters face difficulties because the pitches are challenging. Look at the pitches in England, and even here, the conditions are not easy. When it's an international match and the other team is playing well, they will challenge you. If we think about this and stay focused, I believe that even in domestic matches, if there are 10 matches in a season, the last few should be played under slightly challenging pitches. A little bit of practice on such pitches can be beneficial. Our club grounds also provide such pitches, and practicing on grass can help. But it's up to us as professionals to think about what tasks is lying ahead and how to prepare for them.”
About openers:
“The conditions are very challenging. In such conditions, if you have played on grass pitches, the new ball becomes very important. Personally, I believe that if you look at our bowling, Sajid Khan takes wickets in the first few overs with the new ball. Our openers have struggled a bit in these conditions, but that's where the challenges come in, and that's their job. Hopefully, they will do well.”
Concerns over future cricket pitches being disadvantageous:
“I don't think these pitches will be a disadvantage. The things that are happening now are good, and we should appreciate them. We are winning, so we should feel happy about it. If we draw a match or something happens, then we can ask why we are struggling in such conditions. But regarding the greats you mentioned, they also became legends by playing on such difficult pitches. If we perform well here and win matches for Pakistan, hopefully, we will also be included in Pakistan's greats. So, it's a big challenge for us to score runs in these conditions and win matches for the Pakistan team.”
