- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 216,600
Babar Azam in his post 4th T20I presser:
Q: Regarding pressure from media after defeat against New Zealand in 3rd T20I
Babar Azam: "Look, you guys (media) talk a lot. You guys always make up stuff. I never change my plans as a captain after coming under pressure from anyone. We always try to prioritize those things which are beneficial for our team and Pakistan. And I believe in it, and that's my strength."
Q: Regarding the rising threat of injuries after the Kakul camp
Babar Azam: "If you look at what has happened before the camp, you must be aware of how much cricket has happened during that time and there were back-to-back series. Rest time is out of the question; we were finding it very difficult to spend time with our families. As professionals, we are always ready for it. Whenever we are on tour, we have such a schedule that we have to work on fitness and skills as well. It's part of the game. Anything can happen to anyone. Injuries are part of the game. But we try to look after every player.
Regarding the camp (Kakul), there are always benefits to it. We get good fitness, and good fitness also helps us in mental strength in tough situations. We never ignore fitness. If you see the whole year's schedule, the days which we have off, we try to utilize them in fitness and skills."
Q: Rizwan injury
Babar Azam: "Whenever your main player gets injured you definitely miss him. The great services and the great performances that he (Rizwan) has rendered for Pakistan is clear to all. He is a fighter and always try to give his best in every field. It's (injury) not that bad but we are trying our best to preserve him. His rehab would be just two matches long and it will take place at NCA and he would be looked after fully before the T20 World Cup. Hopefully he will get fit before the Ireland tour. And we have made a thorough discussion with the physio regarding his rehab. And he would be available for the team most probably even before the World Cup."
Q: Will he play one down in 4th and 5th T20Is?
Babar Azam: "We have to go with a different mindset, and we must plan well, so yes we will try different players in that position. The purpose of this series is to do as many experiments as possible. So before going to the World Cup, we want to try different batters in the top 4-5 positions to provide equal opportunities to each one. If we are switching positions, we are doing it after communicating to the players."
Q: Regarding the poor form of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in the 3rd T20I
Babar Azam: "We weren't defeated due to 1 or 2 persons; we got defeated as a team. Not only in batting and bowling, but we also lapsed in fielding too. That was also the reason for the defeat. There is no point in the blame game. I believe we always win and lose as a team. But Shaheen and Naseem are two of the best bowlers; they know how to come back. And if one match doesn't go well, it's part of the game. Not every player can perform every day; it's a team of 11 players, so each one has his own contribution. If someone has a bad day, it's the responsibility of other players to cover it up and win the match for us."
Q: Regarding pressure from media after defeat against New Zealand in 3rd T20I
Babar Azam: "Look, you guys (media) talk a lot. You guys always make up stuff. I never change my plans as a captain after coming under pressure from anyone. We always try to prioritize those things which are beneficial for our team and Pakistan. And I believe in it, and that's my strength."
Q: Regarding the rising threat of injuries after the Kakul camp
Babar Azam: "If you look at what has happened before the camp, you must be aware of how much cricket has happened during that time and there were back-to-back series. Rest time is out of the question; we were finding it very difficult to spend time with our families. As professionals, we are always ready for it. Whenever we are on tour, we have such a schedule that we have to work on fitness and skills as well. It's part of the game. Anything can happen to anyone. Injuries are part of the game. But we try to look after every player.
Regarding the camp (Kakul), there are always benefits to it. We get good fitness, and good fitness also helps us in mental strength in tough situations. We never ignore fitness. If you see the whole year's schedule, the days which we have off, we try to utilize them in fitness and skills."
Q: Rizwan injury
Babar Azam: "Whenever your main player gets injured you definitely miss him. The great services and the great performances that he (Rizwan) has rendered for Pakistan is clear to all. He is a fighter and always try to give his best in every field. It's (injury) not that bad but we are trying our best to preserve him. His rehab would be just two matches long and it will take place at NCA and he would be looked after fully before the T20 World Cup. Hopefully he will get fit before the Ireland tour. And we have made a thorough discussion with the physio regarding his rehab. And he would be available for the team most probably even before the World Cup."
Q: Will he play one down in 4th and 5th T20Is?
Babar Azam: "We have to go with a different mindset, and we must plan well, so yes we will try different players in that position. The purpose of this series is to do as many experiments as possible. So before going to the World Cup, we want to try different batters in the top 4-5 positions to provide equal opportunities to each one. If we are switching positions, we are doing it after communicating to the players."
Q: Regarding the poor form of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in the 3rd T20I
Babar Azam: "We weren't defeated due to 1 or 2 persons; we got defeated as a team. Not only in batting and bowling, but we also lapsed in fielding too. That was also the reason for the defeat. There is no point in the blame game. I believe we always win and lose as a team. But Shaheen and Naseem are two of the best bowlers; they know how to come back. And if one match doesn't go well, it's part of the game. Not every player can perform every day; it's a team of 11 players, so each one has his own contribution. If someone has a bad day, it's the responsibility of other players to cover it up and win the match for us."
