(Reporter:)
What was the pitch like and was the target of 190 created to put pressure on the US?
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
Yes, of course, the course was amazing, but making 190 on such a course was also a big challenge. Just like you would have seen in the last 5-6 months, you had to see the runs we made. We made 190-200 runs comfortably. We put a lot of effort into it.
Second, the pitch was very good. After the first playthrough, I told Saim that you have to use the circle, just like me. So 190, certainly in terms of this pitch, was very good.
(Reporter:)
Firstly, this is the first Pakistan team to win two matches in Pool A and your future looks bright as far as the Super 8 is concerned. Now the most important match is on the 15th. In this regard, please tell us what is the mentality of the team? How do they plan? This is a major milestone in ICC events.
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
You see, when you win two games and are at the top of the table, you feel confident. The upcoming game is not that big, it’s not the first time we play against them. We have played before and this time we will play with a different mindset. You saw us in turmoil. You must have seen our struggle in the middle. You must have seen that Shadaab runs, Nawaz scores. So I hope you will like our game against them.
(Reporter:)
Just a few things. You killed the game on the powerplay with big hits. What should you do in mid-turns after moving forward? And are you looking for some batsmen globally? Do you see a batsman on the global stage?
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
Yes, for sure. As an opener, you should play the power play like this. That is the requirement of T20. If you play the power play like this, the other team will fall from there. If only one of the players uses the power play, the game becomes one-sided. So, Sam and I have the same role. We have to use the power play and try to make 60 plus runs like in the previous game. Today we finished at 55. So I ask Babar Bhai also something, how he takes the innings to the next level. Next time I will try to convert 70 to 80 and 80 to 90.
(Reporter:)
The next match again goes to a big match against India and Post Asia Cup and all where it was said that India-Pakistan is no longer a competition but has become just one side. Do you have a message to tell India?
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
No, I think the way we played in the last Asia Cup, we didn’t play one-sidedly. We played and fought until the end. We didn’t play a one-sided game until the end and hopefully this time we will have a wonderful game against us.
(Reporter:)
You played a good innings again. Do you think this pitch was conducive to batting? You have played well against India before. Your Asian Cup innings was good. Do you plan to do it again?
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
You see, the wicket was very good, but then again it comes down to the same thing – because their bowling was also very good, it was not poor bowling. You can only make such runs by playing attacking cricket. Sam and I have an equal role on this team. We have a day ahead of us. We are preparing for it. It will be a good match.
(Reporter:)
You played three very good innings against India. Did Bumrah play very well, how did that set you up for Sunday?
(Sahibzada Farhan:)
I think when you run you are confident. I am also very confident and with the way the last two innings have gone, I am very confident. It’s a normal match. We will play like a normal match. We will not put it in our heads that it is an India-Pakistan match, it is a normal match and we will play it like a normal match.