(Reporter:)
You lost a very disappointing game against India. How difficult will it be for the coaching staff to lift the group for the next game?
(Usman Tariq:)
It will only be difficult if you don’t identify your mistakes and work on them. We’ve just talked about the areas where we’ve had outages. We will work on those and look forward to the next matches so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. This will definitely help you get better results.
(Reporter:)
In the match against India, the expectations from the Pakistan bowlers were very high. Your bowling and Saim were good but Shaheen and Shadab are facing criticism. You are a new bowler in the squad and the seniors haven’t featured in a while. How much pressure is there on you considering the whole nation is looking at the young players?
(Usman Tariq:)
I would like to say one thing about pressure. Playing against India is always high intensity so any pressure is normal – it’s something every human being feels. What matters is how you overcome it, and that’s what we’ve prepared for.
So there was no particular pressure. We were just trying to carry out our plans. Performances depend on the day. If the bowling unit missed their lines, we will focus on those things and work to improve in the next game.
(Reporter:)
What was discussed in the team meeting after the loss to India? Has anyone had a motivational speech? What about Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi – has their confidence taken a hit?
(Usman Tariq:)
We had a meeting after the game. We discussed where our plans didn’t work and how we could revise them to make sure we don’t repeat those mistakes.
There is no doubt that Shaheen and Babar have won many matches for Pakistan. One game does not define their ability or caliber. If something like that happens, they know how to recover because they are older players.
It’s not like they are broken or under more pressure. It’s part of the game. Some days you do well, some days you don’t. What matters is how you come back and perform again.
(Reporter:)
With pressure mounting, will there be more changes to Pakistan’s squad for the final group game?
(Usman Tariq:)
To be honest, this pressure is mostly created by the audience and outside opinions. People feel panic, but I didn’t feel any such pressure within the team. Wins and losses are part of the game.
We believe in our strengths and will use them in the upcoming matches. The playing XI is not clear at the moment. We’ll see who plays that day.
(Reporter:)
How did you integrate into the team after so much hard work and being taken seriously by teammates and opponents alike? How much pressure was on you in the last game and in the upcoming ones?
(Usman Tariq:)
As I said before, I don’t call it a struggle – it was a process I went through. This process made me the player I am today.
In terms of pressure, it’s actually a good sign that teams are preparing specifically for me. It gives me more confidence to know that they are plotting against me. I enjoy every moment.
(Reporter:)
You were brought in quite late to bowl against India. Do you think it might have been different if you had bowled earlier? And as someone playing your first India-Pakistan match, how did you feel about the pressure and the intensity?
(Moderator 🙂
Mike Hesson already answered the first part of the question at an earlier press conference and the second part was also addressed.
(Reporter:)
Usman, what happened happened. What is your wish as a Pakistani player? How far should the team go and if you make it to the final, who would you like to face?
(Usman Tariq:)
No matter who the opponent is, our goal is to reach the final. Winning the final is our main goal. Our goal is to reach the final and win it for our nation and for the happiness of our people. When your goal is to win, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is.
(Reporter:)
How much of a career defining moment was the India-Pakistan match for you? You didn’t play before and now you got a chance in such a big match. Do you think it has brought you much recognition?
(Usman Tariq:)
Yes, of course. I think the whole nation watched the Pakistan-India match and people all over the world watched it.
Honestly, I saw it as a big opportunity to make a name for myself. I tried my best but personally I feel like I wasn’t as good as I should have been. I hope that if I get another chance, I will do much better than the last match.
(Reporter:)
First about you – Indian channels have made documentaries and special preparations against you. Who is your role model and who inspired you to take up cricket?
Secondly, Pakistan has many all-rounders. Have you thought about playing the XI against India and whether a proper batsman like Fakhar Zaman or Khawaja Nafe would be better?
(Usman Tariq:)
As for playing XI, whether Khawaja Nafe or Fakhar would be better is not my domain. I am concentrating on my bowling. Whatever the captain, selectors or coach decides to play in the eleven, we should support those decisions. Otherwise, it creates conflict.
As for my inspiration, I came back to cricket after watching MS Dhoni. His story was similar to mine as I was also working in a job and so was he. He made history and I felt that if he could do it, maybe I could too. But I would have to try hard for that. This inspired me to return to cricket.
(Reporter:)
Your international career is still in its early stages and you have already tasted some early success. Did you perceive any difference between how the previous teams played against you and how the Indian batsmen approached you?
(Usman Tariq:)
Yes, I felt the Indian batsmen were very focused. They had a clear plan not to lose wickets with me and they stuck to it. I tried to get wickets according to my plans.
In the end, I think it was safe on my part. I didn’t get wickets but I didn’t concede too many runs either. That helps the team. If you bowl in the crucial stages and control the scoring, it will benefit the team as the second bowler can take wickets from the other end.
(Reporter:)
Your bowling event is completely unique. We have seen Surya Kumar Yadav even practice against a bowler with a similar action. Did it give you confidence?
(Usman Tariq:)
I didn’t have any particular confidence from it. These are normal preparations that every team does. There was a time when teams would practice against tall bowlers by standing on stools to simulate Mohammad Irfan.
It’s a team game. If I drive runs from one end, the other bowler can take wickets from the other end. That helps the team. So the focus is always on contributing to the team effort.