- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 216,719
Babar Azam in pre-game presser ahead of the Pakistan v India game tomorrow:
"We are not frustrated but we are focussing on the things that we can control, the weather is not in our hands; We had heard that it has been constantly raining for the past 4 days but looking at things now, it doesn't appear that there will be rain tomorrow."
"One could say that we have an edge over India because we have been playing back-to-back cricket between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and we have been in Sri Lanka for the past 2.5 months, where we played a Test series, a series against Afghanistan, LPL games and now are playing in the Asia Cup so you can say we have an advantage."
"We have started well with the ball and we also try to utilize the middle overs which is why in the previous game we played with a different plan, as we gave an additional fast-bowler the opportunity to play; So we are seeing what the best combination we can use; We do need to take wickets in middle overs as well but we are not getting those wickets - having said that, you will see we are finishing off very well with the help of our fast bowlers; This is a team game and everyone has to contribute, in the last game Iftikhar came in late in the 30th over or so and bowled very well; As team we try and utilize all players in the best way"
"The teams we announce are based on the conditions and we always keep our options open; It's not as if we are stuck in our thinking that we have to always play a certain player or go in with a set team combination; The team management and I are very clear about what team combination and player to play against which team; We have confidence in each player and have no doubts about their abilities; We have now moved away from that style of thinking and only look at what we need to do to win matches and tournaments - that is all that matters to me"
The reason Pakistan not announcing WC Squad because it may break the hearts of some of the players in the Asia Cup Squad
"That is not the case, we are considering now about how much more we can improve from how we are doing in Asia Cup, and we are trying new combinations, and we have almost decided on the 15-18 players we have to go with for the World Cup but we are still seeing what can be the best for us."
"Look this is not about breaking hearts but an opportunity, so let's see in who's favour this goes, it's not my decision but these things come from up above (pointed up - as in Almighty) as to who will end up where and who will play, our job is to choose the best for the team and to do what is suitable for us, all players know this".
The secret of success for Pakistan fast bowlers:
"I am very proud of our fast-bowlers, as the fast-bowling line-up I have is one of the best based upon how we have dominated in recent times; Look, matches and tournaments, especially the big ones, are won by fast-bowlers; I have full belief in my fast-bowlers and the whole group, including Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf, are the best lot and they always dominate the opposition; The secret of their success is the fact that they have a belief in themselves; They stay together as a group and if one of them is not having a good day, then the other covers up for him and so on; Even in batting or fielding, we move forward together as this is how we have been working with each other and this is giving us benefit"
"We are not frustrated but we are focussing on the things that we can control, the weather is not in our hands; We had heard that it has been constantly raining for the past 4 days but looking at things now, it doesn't appear that there will be rain tomorrow."
"One could say that we have an edge over India because we have been playing back-to-back cricket between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and we have been in Sri Lanka for the past 2.5 months, where we played a Test series, a series against Afghanistan, LPL games and now are playing in the Asia Cup so you can say we have an advantage."
"We have started well with the ball and we also try to utilize the middle overs which is why in the previous game we played with a different plan, as we gave an additional fast-bowler the opportunity to play; So we are seeing what the best combination we can use; We do need to take wickets in middle overs as well but we are not getting those wickets - having said that, you will see we are finishing off very well with the help of our fast bowlers; This is a team game and everyone has to contribute, in the last game Iftikhar came in late in the 30th over or so and bowled very well; As team we try and utilize all players in the best way"
"The teams we announce are based on the conditions and we always keep our options open; It's not as if we are stuck in our thinking that we have to always play a certain player or go in with a set team combination; The team management and I are very clear about what team combination and player to play against which team; We have confidence in each player and have no doubts about their abilities; We have now moved away from that style of thinking and only look at what we need to do to win matches and tournaments - that is all that matters to me"
The reason Pakistan not announcing WC Squad because it may break the hearts of some of the players in the Asia Cup Squad
"That is not the case, we are considering now about how much more we can improve from how we are doing in Asia Cup, and we are trying new combinations, and we have almost decided on the 15-18 players we have to go with for the World Cup but we are still seeing what can be the best for us."
"Look this is not about breaking hearts but an opportunity, so let's see in who's favour this goes, it's not my decision but these things come from up above (pointed up - as in Almighty) as to who will end up where and who will play, our job is to choose the best for the team and to do what is suitable for us, all players know this".
The secret of success for Pakistan fast bowlers:
"I am very proud of our fast-bowlers, as the fast-bowling line-up I have is one of the best based upon how we have dominated in recent times; Look, matches and tournaments, especially the big ones, are won by fast-bowlers; I have full belief in my fast-bowlers and the whole group, including Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf, are the best lot and they always dominate the opposition; The secret of their success is the fact that they have a belief in themselves; They stay together as a group and if one of them is not having a good day, then the other covers up for him and so on; Even in batting or fielding, we move forward together as this is how we have been working with each other and this is giving us benefit"
.
I can eat 60 slices, can't bowl 60 deliveries.
