Mohammad Rizwan, while addressing the press conference after Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies:
The challenging pitch conditions:
"The way Pakistan cricket is progressing, we must accept that the pitches might not always be as easy. Batting averages may drop as the conditions are difficult, with the ball swinging, turning, and sometimes going up and down. We have to face these tough conditions as a nation, and InshaAllah, with time, our cricket will improve. The pitch was difficult, and it was clear that if a spinner is bowling from the start, there is something in the pitch for spinners."
His partnership with Saud Shakeel:
"The way Saud and I built the partnership, we played according to the conditions. Sometimes, you get loose balls which help build a partnership, and InshaAllah, we were able to make it work."
Weather impact and game delay:
"My personal opinion is that if the weather had been fine and the match had been played for the full 90 overs, then this pitch wouldn't have lasted more than three days. The conditions we faced were tough, and we had to face them ourselves. However, the weather is beyond our control. Let's see how things unfold."
Missing Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah:
"Every player has a chance to make an impact, and players like Shaheen and Naseem will always be missed. But every player has an opportunity to step up and deliver in different conditions. We've created a system where we work together, and everyone is prepared for challenges like these."
Potential challenges ahead:
"We need to play cricket that is in line with our strengths, and the conditions we are facing are difficult for the batters. We need to develop and adapt, and players like Saud, who has been playing in Karachi, can show how to handle such spin conditions. We need to learn from these conditions, and InshaAllah, we will improve."
Pakistan's approach to the Test series:
"We need to play the kind of cricket that prepares us for success, not just at home but also away. South Africa gave us a tough challenge, and we need to adjust to different conditions. We should be ready to face fast bowlers in challenging conditions, and as a team, we need to learn and adapt to every situation."
Setting targets on difficult pitches:
"It's tough to set a target on such a pitch. It's not like you can have a target in mind and easily achieve it. Sometimes, even scoring 35, 40, or 50 runs becomes difficult. This pitch makes it hard to set a defined target, and you have to take it one step at a time."
Pakistan's approach to difficult conditions and batting:
"We need to adjust to the conditions we have. Even though it may be difficult to score runs, we will use the skills that Allah has blessed us with to contribute to the team. InshaAllah, we will give our best effort."
