Sahibzada Farhan’s shared following thoughts in a pre match presser today:
Team Morale and the Next Challenge
* "As you mentioned, we haven't won yet against England, but the morale among the boys is very high and we are fully confident."
* "All our batsmen have performed well in these conditions, and Inshallah, we will give our opponents a tough time."
Batting Strategy and Recent Collapses
* "It is true that our batting has collapsed recently. While our bowling and spin attack are performing well, we are facing some struggles in the batting department."
* "In T20s, you need one or two players from the top four to bat deep, but so far we haven't been able to achieve that."
* "The match shouldn't be considered over just because the openers don't deliver. This is a team game, and everyone must take responsibility."
Strike Rate and the Power Play
* "I believe I currently hold the highest overall strike rate in the World Cup."
* "International cricket doesn't work by just swinging at the first ball. No matter how great a player is, you have to respect the bowling."
* "It’s natural to take two or three balls to assess the wicket and play accordingly. However, I try to hit any ball that comes into my range."
* "Once I gain momentum, I try to carry it through to benefit the team and make the most of the power play overs."
Pitch Conditions and Toss Decisions
* "I can’t comment on the decision to bat first in the rain; that is a call made by the captain and the coach. We simply prepare to bat or bowl based on their decision."
* "I’ve heard from the senior players that this is usually a good batting track where the ball comes onto the bat well. However, in yesterday’s match, the ball seemed to grip and stick in the surface a bit."
* "We can’t pre-determine a target like 180 or 200 right now. We have to see how the wicket behaves tomorrow and set our goals accordingly."
Facing Jofra Archer and High-Pace Bowling
* "Facing Jofra Archer isn't a major concern for us; we have faced similar pace in Pakistan. We view him as a solid bowler, but nothing we can't handle."
* "He is a quality bowler who hits 145 kph and will surely come with a plan. However, I have a plan of my own as well. It should be a great contest."
On Records and Personal Performance
* "I am very happy to be the top scorer for Pakistan right now, and I want to continue this form to help the team succeed."
* "Personally, I rarely look at records. Even after a performance, when people message me about my strike rate or stats, I don't focus on them much."
* "In T20s, you have to take risks, and focusing on records only adds unnecessary pressure. Records are made to be broken; my focus is simply to finish on top and bring glory to Pakistan."
Dealing with Criticism
* "Criticism is part of the game. Even if you are the top scorer of the tournament, people will still find something to critique, like your strike rate or strike rotation."
* "As players, we are mentally prepared for this. We remain fully confident in our abilities and the way we have performed for Pakistan in the past."
vs Pakistan batters will be fun
