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- Aug 12, 2023
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Saim Ayub in a press conference after 1st T20I vs South Africa
On Match Strategy and Bowling
Q: Pakistan won the toss but lost the match. Why did the team decide to chase, and what was the plan?
Saim: "I think based on the record of the Pindi Stadium, especially in this weather, there is a lot of dew that comes in the second innings. So, keeping that in mind, we decided to bowl first."
Q: South Africa played three proper seamers and seemed to read the pitch better. Was it a strategic decision that Faheem Ashraf was not given the ball?
Saim: "I think the captain and coach will be able to answer this question much better. But as far as I can see as a player in the team, I think we did not bowl well. We should have restricted them to a lower score."
Q: It looked as if South Africa executed their strategy and trapped the Pakistan team. Were they better at strategizing?
Saim: "Look, they executed their bowling better according to the conditions. We certainly did not bat well or tackle them well. But the way they bowled for length and maintained their line, they were better than us."
On Coaching and Team Performance
Q: Since Head Coach Mike Hesson joined, the team has been consistently getting 'all out.' What is the plan he gives the batters, as the team seems to be playing a one-dimensional, hard-hitting game?
Saim: "I think you are only highlighting the 'all out' result. If you look at the records of the last three or four series we have played, we have gone above par a lot, keeping the conditions in mind. We have seen improvement in our batting. Yes, we have batted poorly too, but recently we played in a final and have mostly tried to go above par, which was not typical of our cricket. Our constant effort in every match is to go above par based on the conditions. But I think the first match is over, and we will try to outplay them in the next two matches."
On Personal Form and Pressure
Q: You've recently had a rough patch. Do you feel pressure from the limelight, and how do you handle it?
Saim: "Sir, even if a player plays 100 or 200 matches, there is always pressure of the present moment, the present day, and the match... Regarding the limelight pressure, once you step onto the ground, you don't remember the limelight or any downfall. You forget everything and focus only on the match, on that one ball that is coming, whether you are fielding, bowling, or batting."
Q: You seem to have lost your intent, playing too many dot balls, especially in the powerplay today. What is the reason for this?
Saim: "Sir, how can you be so confident that I have lost my intent? The outcomes have not come the way we wanted in the last few matches, but that is in the past. I am doing everything within my control. I have absolutely not lost my intent and am trying to play the same way... You cannot play international cricket without intent. If you don't try to dominate the opposition, you are finished; you can't achieve anything."
Q: Your bowling has improved significantly, but your batting has declined. Where are you struggling with your batting?
Saim: "Sir, what is the connection between my bowling overs and my batting? I didn't quite understand the question... I think I am going through a phase, and only I can fix it. If I am not batting well, it is my fault, and I am certainly trying to improve it. I can only keep trying; what else can I do?"
On Match Strategy and Bowling
Q: Pakistan won the toss but lost the match. Why did the team decide to chase, and what was the plan?
Saim: "I think based on the record of the Pindi Stadium, especially in this weather, there is a lot of dew that comes in the second innings. So, keeping that in mind, we decided to bowl first."
Q: South Africa played three proper seamers and seemed to read the pitch better. Was it a strategic decision that Faheem Ashraf was not given the ball?
Saim: "I think the captain and coach will be able to answer this question much better. But as far as I can see as a player in the team, I think we did not bowl well. We should have restricted them to a lower score."
Q: It looked as if South Africa executed their strategy and trapped the Pakistan team. Were they better at strategizing?
Saim: "Look, they executed their bowling better according to the conditions. We certainly did not bat well or tackle them well. But the way they bowled for length and maintained their line, they were better than us."
On Coaching and Team Performance
Q: Since Head Coach Mike Hesson joined, the team has been consistently getting 'all out.' What is the plan he gives the batters, as the team seems to be playing a one-dimensional, hard-hitting game?
Saim: "I think you are only highlighting the 'all out' result. If you look at the records of the last three or four series we have played, we have gone above par a lot, keeping the conditions in mind. We have seen improvement in our batting. Yes, we have batted poorly too, but recently we played in a final and have mostly tried to go above par, which was not typical of our cricket. Our constant effort in every match is to go above par based on the conditions. But I think the first match is over, and we will try to outplay them in the next two matches."
On Personal Form and Pressure
Q: You've recently had a rough patch. Do you feel pressure from the limelight, and how do you handle it?
Saim: "Sir, even if a player plays 100 or 200 matches, there is always pressure of the present moment, the present day, and the match... Regarding the limelight pressure, once you step onto the ground, you don't remember the limelight or any downfall. You forget everything and focus only on the match, on that one ball that is coming, whether you are fielding, bowling, or batting."
Q: You seem to have lost your intent, playing too many dot balls, especially in the powerplay today. What is the reason for this?
Saim: "Sir, how can you be so confident that I have lost my intent? The outcomes have not come the way we wanted in the last few matches, but that is in the past. I am doing everything within my control. I have absolutely not lost my intent and am trying to play the same way... You cannot play international cricket without intent. If you don't try to dominate the opposition, you are finished; you can't achieve anything."
Q: Your bowling has improved significantly, but your batting has declined. Where are you struggling with your batting?
Saim: "Sir, what is the connection between my bowling overs and my batting? I didn't quite understand the question... I think I am going through a phase, and only I can fix it. If I am not batting well, it is my fault, and I am certainly trying to improve it. I can only keep trying; what else can I do?"
