Salman Mirza answered following queries in the pre-match press conference today:
[Reporter:]
Pakistan's chance to go into the semi-final is hanging by a thread? How is the position being seen in the camp? And secondly, even if they reach the semi-final is there enough capability in Pakistan team that they can play the semi-final better than this tournament?
[Salman Mirza:]
Yes, absolutely. There is enough capability in Pakistan that they not only reach the semi-final but also do very well. And as you said, it is hanging by a thread – now that is not in our control. We are just watching our match and hopefully will do well in that.
[Reporter:]
Salman, how do you see the Sri Lankan challenge? They are already eliminated from the tournament. How do you see the Sri Lankan challenge? This is a crunch game for you guys. It's really dependent on today's game between England and New Zealand.
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, regardless of today's game or tomorrow's game, we can't control it and we are just focusing on our game and we will try to do best in that.
[Reporter:]
Salman, the head coach came a few days ago for a press conference. When Shaheen was dropped, he said that you are very unlucky, you are not given a proper chance, and when you get a chance, only one yorker is played by Shaheen and Brooke is out on that. So, don't the coaches make you practice death overs and yorkers?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, they definitely make you practice yorkers. It is a conditional thing. At that time if you feel that yorker is the best ball, you will definitely go for it. But as per analysis – we saw in the last 2-3 overs that length ball was more effective, so that was it was planned to stay on that. But it didn't work out – we practice for everything.
[Reporter:]
Salman, when you got the ball in the last over, you could have almost made a historical comeback for Pakistan. Such crunch moments are very rare in life. Do you think you missed a big opportunity to become a hero?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, I will say that I missed the opportunity, because it was such a moment that if there were two wickets, Pakistan could have won the match. Such moments don't come again and again. But what happened at that time is not under control. But we tried but we couldn't win the match.
[Reporter:]
Salman, after the last match against England, our condition is very critical. What did you talk about in the camp, in the dugout after losing? Because you are a very efficient batsman and during practice you will get to know your position only during practice. Are you mentally prepared that if England wins - have you prepared for tomorrow's match? Will it be a do or die match?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, we cannot control that match which is England's match. Whatever the condition is, it is our last game. It is very important for us to do well in that match and we will try our best to win that match and finish the tournament on a high note.
[Reporter:]
Salman, this is your first ICC tournament. But there are many teams with players who have played many tournaments before. So, from 2023 onwards, there is no tournament where we can make good progress or finish on a good note. So is there any disappointment or sadness in the team camp that we are not able to give the performances that the fans expect or what is expected from the team?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, as a player you always want to do well and you always evaluate yourself whether you are doing well or not. As a player – we try to give our best for the team and we try to do that. But whether it happens or not, that's not in our control, sir.
[Reporter:]
The question is for you on a lighter note. Because Ramzan is going on, I know you don't have a lot of things in your hands. So which players are praying and are fasting, that perhaps some results come in Pakistan's favour?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, it's Ramzan month. Even if there are no matches, everyone is fasting and praying namaz, I think it has nothing to do with cricket.
[Reporter:]
When T20 World Cup was starting, we were expecting that we would be more dependent on spinners in Sri Lanka. And if we look at the line-up, it was looking like that. Is it true that Mike Hesson was more dependent on the spinners in this T20 World Cup? And Has this changed? We are seeing more fast bowlers performing now.
Secondly, we have seen that Mike Hesson favours all-rounders. Did he give you any suggestions that you can also become an all-rounder in the future?
[Salman Mirza:]
I haven’t had any such conversation with coach. Obviously, in Sri Lankan conditions, spinners will have a bigger role. If you look at the play in the 11, spinners are more. If you look at all the teams, spinners are more because the conditions allow it.
[Reporter:]
When Pakistan England was playing a practice match, a lot of videos went viral, we saw it here as well, that when the curator throws the ball, there was a lot of bouncy track. So do you think that if Naseem Shah was also with you that day, or dropping Faheem Ashraf was a wrong decision? If you had gone with three pacers, the result would have been different.
[Salman Mirza:]
If Naseem and Faheem were with me, I think they would have been 4 pacers.
[Reporter:]
If Faheem hadn't been dropped, then?
[Salman Mirza:]
Now that depends on the combination of the team and the coach and the captain. I can't tell you about the pitch.
[Reporter:]
You have bowled the ball at the pitch. You were getting the bounce.
[Salman Mirza:]
But if the spinner has also bowled well - they have bowled well and have contained well but the combination is made according to the given day.
[Reporter:]
Salman, there are wins and losses in a game, but after losing, there is a lot of overreaction.
It is very unfortunate that Salman Agha's wife had to post on Instagram that me and our child is being personally abused. Like fan reaction abuse. Would you like to say something about that?
[Salman Mirza:]
Sir, absolutely. Because any such act which targets the player's family is a very shameful thing. Because the player always wants to do good in the ground. If he doesn’t perform well on any given day, that doesn't mean you should target their families. And I don't think this should happen at all.
exactly
Don’t see Babar going out so the only way Nafay comes in is for Nawaz but then you are a bowling option short again exposing the weird balance of this squad. Personally, I would go with the same XI and rejig the batting order. Any other changes apart from Mirza/naseem or Babar/nafay swap(not happening) will affect the overall balance of the side.
. You have got to be a Babar's fan aiming for 150!
