Post-Match Press Conference: Shamyl Hussain
Question: Do you feel a mistake was made because you guys played very well from the start of this match so where do you feel you ultimately lost the game?
Shamyl Hussain: Regarding the strike rate, T20 cricket has changed a lot now. Our intent is always to do what’s best for the team. As an opener, if I play well in the powerplay (the circle), it naturally benefits the team and your strike rate goes up. As for the match, there are many small things you realize later—maybe a dropped catch or one or two overs of poor bowling. We can’t pinpoint a single moment. However, I can say we definitely could have played better in the middle overs. But in the end, it’s a collective effort; you can’t blame one person. When you lose, you lose as a team.
Question: When you joined the national team there was a lot of criticism regarding your performance and unfortunately you couldn’t perform well then. Today your performance was great though the team didn’t win. What would you say to those critics? Also, running between the wickets seemed to be an issue today is Quetta Gladiators working on improving this?
Shamyl Hussain: Regarding your first point: as a professional cricketer, it’s not my job to worry about whether people speak well or poorly of me. That’s their opinion, and I can't change it. What I can do is work hard and score runs. Even if the runs don't come, I know I’ve put in the work. A career is a long journey; a player isn’t made or ruined by just one or two matches. Regarding the running between the wickets: many of the players are new to the team, including myself and Ben McDermott. Sometimes there’s a lack of communication because of that, but God willing, it will improve in the next match.
Question: You’ve played in the PSL now with a very confident innings, and you’ve played international cricket too. What difference did you feel? There was more pressure in international cricket—how did today feel in comparison?
Shamyl Hussain: In international cricket, what I felt is that wearing the Pakistan jersey brings a unique pride, but that pride comes with pressure. I experienced that for the first time recently. Because I had already felt that international pressure, I didn't feel it as much during my PSL debut today. The quality of cricket is essentially the same; you are facing international-level bowlers. In fact, the standard here is quite high because international players from various countries are bowling. Today felt better because I had already processed the experience of my international debut. Overall, there isn’t a massive difference.
Question: Usually, the Lahore crowd is a "housefull," which creates a certain pressure. It's not as much fun without a crowd. How would you describe performing well when the stands are empty?
Shamyl Hussain: Having a crowd isn't in our hands. If we are given a match to play, we will play. Obviously, a crowd creates a great, lively atmosphere. But even if they aren't there, the purpose of the PSL is to entertain people and find good cricketers. If people are watching from home—and we know many are—our goal is to entertain them as much as possible.
Question: We saw in Bangladesh that you were struggling against short-pitch bowling. There was criticism about your stance—that you bend too much. Are you working with the coaches on this, specifically regarding the short ball?
Shamyl Hussain: As cricketers, we are always trying to improve. No one has a perfect technique, especially when starting out; you learn gradually. Interestingly, when I was scoring runs in domestic cricket with the same stance, no one said anything. Now, because of two bad innings, it's suddenly "bad." Public opinion changes constantly. My job is to see what works for me. If I feel something won't work in the long run, I’ll change it. But I won't change my batting based on people's opinions. I didn't get here because of them, and I won't be dropped because of them. I need to focus on my own technique.
Question: You had a great domestic career and have now debuted internationally and in the PSL. Is there a player you aim to surpass or someone you idealize?
Shamyl Hussain: I don't want to "cross" anyone. Everyone makes their own place; God creates that path for you. You can't just take someone else's spot. I don't idealize one specific person, but I try to learn the best traits from everyone. When I was with the national team, I watched Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan. Here, I try to learn from players like Rilee Rossouw. I just try to pick up good habits from whoever I meet.