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- Aug 29, 2023
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Mohammad Rizwan speaking to media ahead of the ODI series opener against Australia:
"A captain's role is to ensure that things proceed smoothly, just as a coach ensures certain things are provided. It is the duty of a captain to manage these things in a similar manner. I try to talk to people in the camp because you know there is pressure, and we don't always have the time to do everything quickly. I am trying to make people comfortable, whether it's in bowling or batting, and wherever we can directly influence, we will try to use all the time and the best resources we have to achieve our goals."
Priority and Approach as a Captain:
"It doesn't matter to me where I am, what I am, where my players are, or what they are doing. Our priority is Pakistan, and no matter how, we will find a way to move forward. We don’t need to follow the world because our Pakistan is ahead. Recently, if you look at the last series, there was a technical point that changed, but our game didn't change. We made changes at a tactical level, which gave us different results. So, I am also thinking, why should I follow the world? I am trying to ensure that my players, no matter who they are, can contribute to Pakistan. The demand in Pakistan is not just to bring players, but to see which player performs well for Pakistan and meets the expectations."
About Opening pair:
"There is no doubt that Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have performed well for Pakistan, and they are very good players and our game changers. The opening pair we had earlier gave us a strong start, and it was completely different. We have young talent now and they will have the opportunities to prove themselves. We are seeing how things are shaping up, and for the Champions Trophy, many things have become easier for us. If you look at the team, including myself and Babar Azam, we have youngsters around as well. Hopefully, we will get the things we need for the Champions Trophy."
About Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah:
"If you look at the past three to four years, performance is what made Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah Superstars. Their performances have been exceptional. They understand how to change their approach and how to move on from this stage because everyone has faced such situations, and they are aware of it. Hopefully, they will soon come out of this phase. I will try to see what can be made better, rest is just past for me."
Consultation and Support:
"I have also spoken with Faisal Akram, who is a young player like Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas, and it has been said that whenever there is a consultation needed, they should come to me, which will give our team a slight upper hand and a different perspective. They can advise me completely. Secondly, in terms of fans, Pakistani fans support us everywhere, not just here. They have supported us everywhere. Yes, there is a bit of disappointment due to the results, which is true, but hopefully, things will change."
Reflection on Past Records:
"The past records are just history for me. We have lost games from a winning position. Perhaps we lacked in some areas; maybe there was a lack of effort or some deficiency in execution. These things matter to me, and I think about it. The rest, I ask from Allah, and results come from Allah. For me, it is important. As for what happened before, it is history for everyone, like winning after 20 years or 30 years. If Allah wills, perhaps this will be the thing we will say."
Team Selection and Captain’s Role:
"If you look at the chairman's statements, he has always said that full authority has been given to every person and the entire committee. I am happy with this because if I think alone, I have one mind, and if there is a coach, then there are two minds to think. I am a person who has taken the young players or those present there for advice because, perhaps, I might make a mistake sometimes, but the people who advise will help things come out right. It's not that I am completely out of the box or outside the game. We had an eight-hour consultation, and I was there. Salman Ali Agha was also there, and all selectors were present. We are not doing anything completely on our own; we are doing it with advice. The teams that have been announced are exactly as we decided. But I am personally happy that we are consulting, and things will go well."
Challenges:
“It is an honor for me and my family. Playing for Pakistan is always a challenge, but I have captained in franchise cricket before, and also in the Under-19 team. So, this is not a new experience for me. As I have already said, everyone in the Pakistan team is captain and easy for me to work with.”
About playing against Australia:
“We don't have to prove anything; we will just play normal cricket and try our best. Australia is a good side, and they have the advantage of playing at home with the support of their crowd. So, we will try our best.”
About Jason Gillespie:
“Jason Gillespie has been helpful for us as we have seen him in red-ball cricket, and he knows the conditions very well. He has given us a lot of information, and hopefully, we can get even more help from him."
"A captain's role is to ensure that things proceed smoothly, just as a coach ensures certain things are provided. It is the duty of a captain to manage these things in a similar manner. I try to talk to people in the camp because you know there is pressure, and we don't always have the time to do everything quickly. I am trying to make people comfortable, whether it's in bowling or batting, and wherever we can directly influence, we will try to use all the time and the best resources we have to achieve our goals."
Priority and Approach as a Captain:
"It doesn't matter to me where I am, what I am, where my players are, or what they are doing. Our priority is Pakistan, and no matter how, we will find a way to move forward. We don’t need to follow the world because our Pakistan is ahead. Recently, if you look at the last series, there was a technical point that changed, but our game didn't change. We made changes at a tactical level, which gave us different results. So, I am also thinking, why should I follow the world? I am trying to ensure that my players, no matter who they are, can contribute to Pakistan. The demand in Pakistan is not just to bring players, but to see which player performs well for Pakistan and meets the expectations."
About Opening pair:
"There is no doubt that Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have performed well for Pakistan, and they are very good players and our game changers. The opening pair we had earlier gave us a strong start, and it was completely different. We have young talent now and they will have the opportunities to prove themselves. We are seeing how things are shaping up, and for the Champions Trophy, many things have become easier for us. If you look at the team, including myself and Babar Azam, we have youngsters around as well. Hopefully, we will get the things we need for the Champions Trophy."
About Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah:
"If you look at the past three to four years, performance is what made Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah Superstars. Their performances have been exceptional. They understand how to change their approach and how to move on from this stage because everyone has faced such situations, and they are aware of it. Hopefully, they will soon come out of this phase. I will try to see what can be made better, rest is just past for me."
Consultation and Support:
"I have also spoken with Faisal Akram, who is a young player like Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas, and it has been said that whenever there is a consultation needed, they should come to me, which will give our team a slight upper hand and a different perspective. They can advise me completely. Secondly, in terms of fans, Pakistani fans support us everywhere, not just here. They have supported us everywhere. Yes, there is a bit of disappointment due to the results, which is true, but hopefully, things will change."
Reflection on Past Records:
"The past records are just history for me. We have lost games from a winning position. Perhaps we lacked in some areas; maybe there was a lack of effort or some deficiency in execution. These things matter to me, and I think about it. The rest, I ask from Allah, and results come from Allah. For me, it is important. As for what happened before, it is history for everyone, like winning after 20 years or 30 years. If Allah wills, perhaps this will be the thing we will say."
Team Selection and Captain’s Role:
"If you look at the chairman's statements, he has always said that full authority has been given to every person and the entire committee. I am happy with this because if I think alone, I have one mind, and if there is a coach, then there are two minds to think. I am a person who has taken the young players or those present there for advice because, perhaps, I might make a mistake sometimes, but the people who advise will help things come out right. It's not that I am completely out of the box or outside the game. We had an eight-hour consultation, and I was there. Salman Ali Agha was also there, and all selectors were present. We are not doing anything completely on our own; we are doing it with advice. The teams that have been announced are exactly as we decided. But I am personally happy that we are consulting, and things will go well."
Challenges:
“It is an honor for me and my family. Playing for Pakistan is always a challenge, but I have captained in franchise cricket before, and also in the Under-19 team. So, this is not a new experience for me. As I have already said, everyone in the Pakistan team is captain and easy for me to work with.”
About playing against Australia:
“We don't have to prove anything; we will just play normal cricket and try our best. Australia is a good side, and they have the advantage of playing at home with the support of their crowd. So, we will try our best.”
About Jason Gillespie:
“Jason Gillespie has been helpful for us as we have seen him in red-ball cricket, and he knows the conditions very well. He has given us a lot of information, and hopefully, we can get even more help from him."
