- Joined
- Nov 25, 2023
- Runs
- 8,216
Imad Wasim in an Ireland pre game presser today answered following queries:
[Reporter:]
So, there's no rain forecast in the next 24 hours. You came out of retirement for this tournament. I'm not going to ask you to speculate about whether you're going to retire again. But with Pakistan eliminated from advancing, what does tomorrow's match mean for you and the team? What are you looking to do and accomplish?
[Imad Wasim:]
Look, I know we're out of the tournament and it's hard for the players but at the end this is an international game, a World Cup game so we won't take anything lightly. We will go out there and play for the country and play for the pride of our country which we already did but unfortunately the results we can't control it. Yeah, but we go out there and play like it's a World Cup game.
[Reporter:]
You were here at the ground from about 8 - 8.30 am yesterday and you saw for 4 or 5 hours there was no rain before 2 pm and today also there has hardly been any rain and two matches have not taken place and not just because it was an important match for you, just as at a World Cup, wouldn't you expect better drainage and to get a match on?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's not my domain to comment on this but you cannot control weather. I mean it was raining for the last week and literally like I have never seen rain in my life like that. So, you cannot blame the groundsman or the ICC. It's just the event, it's just the venue they have decided it before and I don't know It was it was tough that is washed out, but it is what it is. We shouldn't let this happen We should have We should have won our both games in order to be in a safe zone. But unfortunately, couldn't happen. But could not blame the weather or the groundsman.
[Reporter:]
Pakistan didn't qualify. But in the match against India, Pakistan had the game. We were hoping that you would finish the match and come back. Just like you did in PSL. You finished the matches with great performance. So, was it a game plan to take the game deep? Or what happened there? We were very optimistic that you will finish the game and we will hit Axar Patel. But it didn't happen. Ultimately Pakistan got out. What was the game plan?
[Imad Wasim:]
The game plan was to take the ball deep. The wicket was not good to play. It was a little difficult. Unfortunately, my plan was going according to plan but not execution. Because usually when I bat, I take the ball deep. And if I hit any boundary on either end, the game would have been different. Having said that, he did very well in bowling and he did it on the spot. He didn't bowl too badly. Usually, under pressure, bowlers give you a ball and there is a margin. But I think I was taking the game deep and I was hoping that a new batsman would come and for that it is virtually impossible. But Naseem hit two good shots. That 17th over, I think, I feel that the move of the runs in that over was a turning point. It's unfortunate that it happens, it's an incident but it was a big game. Our team and I are more disappointed than you are. I let down because usually when I go in this situation, I am very calm and finish the job. And this was my job to finish which I couldn't do. I will regret this and I still regret it. But this is life. Sometimes you make mistakes. But life is like that, sometimes you make mistakes. So, you can say that this was a phase in my life which I unfortunately could not achieve. I will regret it, but my execution was not good.
[Reporter:]
There is news since morning that you and Amir are going to take retirement again, you just came to play the World Cup - First, you clear this. Second, you, Aamir, and the rest of the Pakistani team's squad, how much do you all respect the fact that the USA and India match came out of your hands, which you all were trusted, especially you two, you couldn't play it out.
[Imad Wasim:]
See, this is not in the hand of 1 or 2 people, it is teamwork. When you lose, you lose as a team. Like I said, I should have finished the game in India. But the team loses - it's not just me. Individuals don't lose.
Secondly, as far as retirement is concerned, there's a match tomorrow. We'll play a match. And obviously, after that, we'll think about it and sort out whatever we need to. Because to be honest, a lot of things are going to be sorted out in the Pakistan team. The chairman and the board will sort it out. We have given away two games by ourselves. We have given away the match by ourselves not because of an individual, but collectively, because of team effort, we gave away the match by ourselves. There is no excuse for that. Losing to USA, well, losing is a part of the game, but we shouldn't have lost to USA. Even against India - we had that game in our hands and we shouldn't have lost. So, there is no excuse for anything. We are losing matches collectively. And I will tell you again that we never lose a match because of one or two individuals. Matches are lost because of the whole team. Whether someone does it well or not, that's why it's called team sport. If it was an individual, anyone can blame anyone and everything can be taken out of the rest. But you have to sit and think where mistakes are happening, how are they happening, why are they happening and you have to sort it out.
After the match against Ireland - we will sit down and talk and then decide. I don't do anything secretly. I told everyone when retired last time - If something happens, I will come and tell everyone.
[Reporter:]
You said you need to sort out some things. Please elaborate on what you need to sort out. You have been a team analyst and have been a part of the team. In that phase, where did you make mistakes? Because you are a senior member of the team. What are the elements that you think you lost as a team? Did you play as a team? And what mistakes did you make? If you could highlight that as a senior player.
[Imad Wasim:]
As far as you mentioned, I used to be an analyst. I have always talked about cricket. I have never talked about it personally or to an individual or to a person or done any body shaming. Cricketers have to do their job and analyse the cricket. They have to tell you what is right and what is wrong. Of cricket, the way of cricket, the way we should play cricket. I think we should play the game, the way we should play the game where world cricket is going. And the second question is, should we sort out the way we should play the game, the way we should play, the way we should bring awareness, the way we should chase, approach, and field. All these things come into this. We will sit and sort out how to play way of cricket. And I think Pakistan cricket - it happens in group stages, but I don’t think Pakistan has ever been out this way. So, there is a lot of disappointment. We are more disappointed than you are. This is our profession. And we are disappointed. It is obvious.
When you fall, how do you get up and approach the world? And how do you react? That is what we have to see now. It is a very sad thing. But, who knows, it could be a big thing for Pakistan cricket. Revamp it, revisit it and play it the way white ball cricket should be played. So, me personally and our team, including me, are very disappointed and sad. And the whole public is sad that we didn't perform well and we are to blame for it. But I would also like to say that we are human beings, we can make mistakes and we are also saddened by these things.
[Reporter:]
A lot of people looking at it and saying, do Pakistan now need to make a lot of big changes or you think that the basics are there and it was just one game against the USA?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's not my domain but what I think, that's what I think, it's not my domain to do things, but I think there should be changes and there should be a drastic change so we can move forward and fight with the world cricket how the cricket is playing. That's what I can say.
[Reporter:]
What kind of change?
[Imad Wasim:]
I already mentioned everything, in everything. And every aspect, how to take the game on, how to play the game. And this is what I believed in. And this is why I came back and tried to do things but couldn't happen. And you can also say the wickets are a bit tougher than what you think and any team can beat anyone. You can see Nepal was almost through. So, things can happen but I think the approach, how we play the game, I think we will change that and all of the boys are eager to do that because this defeat hurt us really badly.
[Reporter:]
After losing to India, the chairman made a strong statement that the team needs surgery. Do you think that the team – in this situation, need a surgery? And also, we are seeing that the central contracts are going under review, so if you get an offer from central contract, will you consider it?
[Imad Wasim:]
Personally, I don’t know anything about the central contract, but if the chairman has said that the team needs surgery, then obviously he will do something about it. I have no connection with this, I can't say anything or do anything. Chairman sir has said that, so whatever he does, we have to accept it.
[Reporter:]
You were not 100% fit, which was discussed in your running and in the match against India, it was said that if you were fully fit, the results would have changed. How much do you agree with this?
[Imad Wasim:]
No, no, it's not like that. I played the match. I was 100% fit. The medical panel approved me to be 100% fit. So, I came to play the match. There is not truth in this.
And secondly, I know there are many other things happening. When you lose a match, different people talk about different things. You give people a chance to talk about you. Unfortunately, we have given them a chance to talk. But there are some things in the media that are not truthful. I have come to address that because I think I am very sad. I am also disappointed and sad. But it's not like that. There are a few other things like fitness. I think there are a few more things but I don't want to talk about them. But it's not like that. I have played cricket my whole life. I have played cricket with fighting spirit. Yes, there was no execution. You can say that it was my fault. But please don't say anything about the rest of the things. Because we have families and people. It is sad to hear such things.
[Reporter:]
You have been a senior cricketer playing for so long. So, do you think this is the lowest point that Pakistan cricket has hit in your playing career?
[Imad Wasim:]
Yes, this is the lowest point. You can't go any lower than this. That's the fact.
[Reporter:]
And was it completely unacceptable to lose to US? Is that the more important point than instead of just talking over the India loss?
[Imad Wasim:]
You cannot say unacceptable. Yes, you can say the team we have, it's unacceptable.
[Reporter:]
We see that in our subcontinent, the ground is always covered, but not here. In just one area, due to the wet patches the ground matches didn’t go ahead. How unfortunate is it?
[Imad Wasim:]
I think this depends on ICC – how they will review this.
I think, if the wicket and square is dry – I’ll give you one reason – when we play in Sri Lanka or any other place, they cover the entire ground. And the venue where the game is being played, there are around 20 – 30 – 35 people to take care of this.
I think next time ICC will review this, that the ground should be completely covered, so as soon as the rain stops, we can play the match.
But I will tell you personally, we should not have let it come to this situation. We should have won our matches and we should not have trusted others. So, it is our fault, giving excuses now is no use. We didn't play well. We didn't play well in the tournament. If you don't play well, you don't deserve to win a tournament or go to a deep tournament. So, I believe that we didn't play well. We had and have the potential, but as a team we couldn't deliver and we have to accept our mistakes.
[Reporter:]
As a senior player, Imad, in both the games we lost Method, skill set, mindset, approach or our back of the mind, fear of failure, due to which we doubt ourselves. As a senior player, what do you think, as a unit, is there a pinpoint reason why we failed?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's, in my opinion, I'm giving my personal opinion. Don’t make these the headlines.
It's all your mindset. What mindset do you want to play the game with? You either play fire with fire, or you play your way. So, I personally believe that you should play fire with fire. And even if you lose, you can sit down and say to yourself that on that day we were not good enough.
The problem is our team is so good, our players are so good that we are good enough to play any kind of cricket. So, we haven't tried that but the thing is you have to try that, you have to get rid of fear of failure mindset. In everything - batting, bowling, fielding, you have to get rid of fear of failure mindset. As I said earlier, personal change doesn't change anything, just changing the mindset can change a lot of things. The same ball can be hit by a sixer, a four, a single, and that same ball can take a wicket and a be dot ball.
We compete with the world's best teams. Their mindset has changed over time. We used to rule in T20 cricket. I think we have moved back a little now. Maybe our mindset - in all three areas. I won't say any one area. We should approach the game in all three areas. If you change the mind of the player, you can achieve things beyond your limits. I always believe in this.
You can talk a lot, but it is what it is - today, we are out of the tournament and whatever happens in the next World Cup, whoever plays, however they play, I think if we go with the right approach mindset, the results will be better for us.
[Reporter:]
So, there's no rain forecast in the next 24 hours. You came out of retirement for this tournament. I'm not going to ask you to speculate about whether you're going to retire again. But with Pakistan eliminated from advancing, what does tomorrow's match mean for you and the team? What are you looking to do and accomplish?
[Imad Wasim:]
Look, I know we're out of the tournament and it's hard for the players but at the end this is an international game, a World Cup game so we won't take anything lightly. We will go out there and play for the country and play for the pride of our country which we already did but unfortunately the results we can't control it. Yeah, but we go out there and play like it's a World Cup game.
[Reporter:]
You were here at the ground from about 8 - 8.30 am yesterday and you saw for 4 or 5 hours there was no rain before 2 pm and today also there has hardly been any rain and two matches have not taken place and not just because it was an important match for you, just as at a World Cup, wouldn't you expect better drainage and to get a match on?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's not my domain to comment on this but you cannot control weather. I mean it was raining for the last week and literally like I have never seen rain in my life like that. So, you cannot blame the groundsman or the ICC. It's just the event, it's just the venue they have decided it before and I don't know It was it was tough that is washed out, but it is what it is. We shouldn't let this happen We should have We should have won our both games in order to be in a safe zone. But unfortunately, couldn't happen. But could not blame the weather or the groundsman.
[Reporter:]
Pakistan didn't qualify. But in the match against India, Pakistan had the game. We were hoping that you would finish the match and come back. Just like you did in PSL. You finished the matches with great performance. So, was it a game plan to take the game deep? Or what happened there? We were very optimistic that you will finish the game and we will hit Axar Patel. But it didn't happen. Ultimately Pakistan got out. What was the game plan?
[Imad Wasim:]
The game plan was to take the ball deep. The wicket was not good to play. It was a little difficult. Unfortunately, my plan was going according to plan but not execution. Because usually when I bat, I take the ball deep. And if I hit any boundary on either end, the game would have been different. Having said that, he did very well in bowling and he did it on the spot. He didn't bowl too badly. Usually, under pressure, bowlers give you a ball and there is a margin. But I think I was taking the game deep and I was hoping that a new batsman would come and for that it is virtually impossible. But Naseem hit two good shots. That 17th over, I think, I feel that the move of the runs in that over was a turning point. It's unfortunate that it happens, it's an incident but it was a big game. Our team and I are more disappointed than you are. I let down because usually when I go in this situation, I am very calm and finish the job. And this was my job to finish which I couldn't do. I will regret this and I still regret it. But this is life. Sometimes you make mistakes. But life is like that, sometimes you make mistakes. So, you can say that this was a phase in my life which I unfortunately could not achieve. I will regret it, but my execution was not good.
[Reporter:]
There is news since morning that you and Amir are going to take retirement again, you just came to play the World Cup - First, you clear this. Second, you, Aamir, and the rest of the Pakistani team's squad, how much do you all respect the fact that the USA and India match came out of your hands, which you all were trusted, especially you two, you couldn't play it out.
[Imad Wasim:]
See, this is not in the hand of 1 or 2 people, it is teamwork. When you lose, you lose as a team. Like I said, I should have finished the game in India. But the team loses - it's not just me. Individuals don't lose.
Secondly, as far as retirement is concerned, there's a match tomorrow. We'll play a match. And obviously, after that, we'll think about it and sort out whatever we need to. Because to be honest, a lot of things are going to be sorted out in the Pakistan team. The chairman and the board will sort it out. We have given away two games by ourselves. We have given away the match by ourselves not because of an individual, but collectively, because of team effort, we gave away the match by ourselves. There is no excuse for that. Losing to USA, well, losing is a part of the game, but we shouldn't have lost to USA. Even against India - we had that game in our hands and we shouldn't have lost. So, there is no excuse for anything. We are losing matches collectively. And I will tell you again that we never lose a match because of one or two individuals. Matches are lost because of the whole team. Whether someone does it well or not, that's why it's called team sport. If it was an individual, anyone can blame anyone and everything can be taken out of the rest. But you have to sit and think where mistakes are happening, how are they happening, why are they happening and you have to sort it out.
After the match against Ireland - we will sit down and talk and then decide. I don't do anything secretly. I told everyone when retired last time - If something happens, I will come and tell everyone.
[Reporter:]
You said you need to sort out some things. Please elaborate on what you need to sort out. You have been a team analyst and have been a part of the team. In that phase, where did you make mistakes? Because you are a senior member of the team. What are the elements that you think you lost as a team? Did you play as a team? And what mistakes did you make? If you could highlight that as a senior player.
[Imad Wasim:]
As far as you mentioned, I used to be an analyst. I have always talked about cricket. I have never talked about it personally or to an individual or to a person or done any body shaming. Cricketers have to do their job and analyse the cricket. They have to tell you what is right and what is wrong. Of cricket, the way of cricket, the way we should play cricket. I think we should play the game, the way we should play the game where world cricket is going. And the second question is, should we sort out the way we should play the game, the way we should play, the way we should bring awareness, the way we should chase, approach, and field. All these things come into this. We will sit and sort out how to play way of cricket. And I think Pakistan cricket - it happens in group stages, but I don’t think Pakistan has ever been out this way. So, there is a lot of disappointment. We are more disappointed than you are. This is our profession. And we are disappointed. It is obvious.
When you fall, how do you get up and approach the world? And how do you react? That is what we have to see now. It is a very sad thing. But, who knows, it could be a big thing for Pakistan cricket. Revamp it, revisit it and play it the way white ball cricket should be played. So, me personally and our team, including me, are very disappointed and sad. And the whole public is sad that we didn't perform well and we are to blame for it. But I would also like to say that we are human beings, we can make mistakes and we are also saddened by these things.
[Reporter:]
A lot of people looking at it and saying, do Pakistan now need to make a lot of big changes or you think that the basics are there and it was just one game against the USA?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's not my domain but what I think, that's what I think, it's not my domain to do things, but I think there should be changes and there should be a drastic change so we can move forward and fight with the world cricket how the cricket is playing. That's what I can say.
[Reporter:]
What kind of change?
[Imad Wasim:]
I already mentioned everything, in everything. And every aspect, how to take the game on, how to play the game. And this is what I believed in. And this is why I came back and tried to do things but couldn't happen. And you can also say the wickets are a bit tougher than what you think and any team can beat anyone. You can see Nepal was almost through. So, things can happen but I think the approach, how we play the game, I think we will change that and all of the boys are eager to do that because this defeat hurt us really badly.
[Reporter:]
After losing to India, the chairman made a strong statement that the team needs surgery. Do you think that the team – in this situation, need a surgery? And also, we are seeing that the central contracts are going under review, so if you get an offer from central contract, will you consider it?
[Imad Wasim:]
Personally, I don’t know anything about the central contract, but if the chairman has said that the team needs surgery, then obviously he will do something about it. I have no connection with this, I can't say anything or do anything. Chairman sir has said that, so whatever he does, we have to accept it.
[Reporter:]
You were not 100% fit, which was discussed in your running and in the match against India, it was said that if you were fully fit, the results would have changed. How much do you agree with this?
[Imad Wasim:]
No, no, it's not like that. I played the match. I was 100% fit. The medical panel approved me to be 100% fit. So, I came to play the match. There is not truth in this.
And secondly, I know there are many other things happening. When you lose a match, different people talk about different things. You give people a chance to talk about you. Unfortunately, we have given them a chance to talk. But there are some things in the media that are not truthful. I have come to address that because I think I am very sad. I am also disappointed and sad. But it's not like that. There are a few other things like fitness. I think there are a few more things but I don't want to talk about them. But it's not like that. I have played cricket my whole life. I have played cricket with fighting spirit. Yes, there was no execution. You can say that it was my fault. But please don't say anything about the rest of the things. Because we have families and people. It is sad to hear such things.
[Reporter:]
You have been a senior cricketer playing for so long. So, do you think this is the lowest point that Pakistan cricket has hit in your playing career?
[Imad Wasim:]
Yes, this is the lowest point. You can't go any lower than this. That's the fact.
[Reporter:]
And was it completely unacceptable to lose to US? Is that the more important point than instead of just talking over the India loss?
[Imad Wasim:]
You cannot say unacceptable. Yes, you can say the team we have, it's unacceptable.
[Reporter:]
We see that in our subcontinent, the ground is always covered, but not here. In just one area, due to the wet patches the ground matches didn’t go ahead. How unfortunate is it?
[Imad Wasim:]
I think this depends on ICC – how they will review this.
I think, if the wicket and square is dry – I’ll give you one reason – when we play in Sri Lanka or any other place, they cover the entire ground. And the venue where the game is being played, there are around 20 – 30 – 35 people to take care of this.
I think next time ICC will review this, that the ground should be completely covered, so as soon as the rain stops, we can play the match.
But I will tell you personally, we should not have let it come to this situation. We should have won our matches and we should not have trusted others. So, it is our fault, giving excuses now is no use. We didn't play well. We didn't play well in the tournament. If you don't play well, you don't deserve to win a tournament or go to a deep tournament. So, I believe that we didn't play well. We had and have the potential, but as a team we couldn't deliver and we have to accept our mistakes.
[Reporter:]
As a senior player, Imad, in both the games we lost Method, skill set, mindset, approach or our back of the mind, fear of failure, due to which we doubt ourselves. As a senior player, what do you think, as a unit, is there a pinpoint reason why we failed?
[Imad Wasim:]
It's, in my opinion, I'm giving my personal opinion. Don’t make these the headlines.
It's all your mindset. What mindset do you want to play the game with? You either play fire with fire, or you play your way. So, I personally believe that you should play fire with fire. And even if you lose, you can sit down and say to yourself that on that day we were not good enough.
The problem is our team is so good, our players are so good that we are good enough to play any kind of cricket. So, we haven't tried that but the thing is you have to try that, you have to get rid of fear of failure mindset. In everything - batting, bowling, fielding, you have to get rid of fear of failure mindset. As I said earlier, personal change doesn't change anything, just changing the mindset can change a lot of things. The same ball can be hit by a sixer, a four, a single, and that same ball can take a wicket and a be dot ball.
We compete with the world's best teams. Their mindset has changed over time. We used to rule in T20 cricket. I think we have moved back a little now. Maybe our mindset - in all three areas. I won't say any one area. We should approach the game in all three areas. If you change the mind of the player, you can achieve things beyond your limits. I always believe in this.
You can talk a lot, but it is what it is - today, we are out of the tournament and whatever happens in the next World Cup, whoever plays, however they play, I think if we go with the right approach mindset, the results will be better for us.
