Hello and welcome to another discussion with Asif Mujtaba. Lets get straight to the review of the last game.
Faraz Ishaq: A historical win against South Africa, what do you think about our performance?
Asif Mujtaba: It was a fantastic performance by Pakistan cricket team. As I mentioned in my last interview, if Pakistan scores 250 while batting first, it would be a good score. We all hope that the way Pakistan team went all out to win the match against SA, they keep the same approach and momentum throughout the World Cup.
Kamran Muzzafer: Pakistani pacers seem to have hit the zone. They looked to be bowling with a plan and with defined roles. How do you see it? What has clicked there? Who should be credited with this success?
AM: They all know that their performance in World Cup will play a key role in their future. For that reason, Irfan’s fitness is very critical. He should be given proper rest and treatment. Wahab Riaz has really worked hard and he looks a completely different cricketer. He can also prove to be a good all-rounder if he is treated well and used wisely. Sohail Khan is also bowling well with the new ball. He may not be that effective with the older ball. So it’s fine to give him the new ball. Rahat Ali also did really well. He sticks with the plan that is good to see.
All of them bowled like warriors and the credit goes to their coaches.
But for game against Ireland, I would like to see Yasir Shah in the team in place of any pace bowler as Irish may struggle against spinners.
KM: What about Afridi’s performance in this World Cup?
As far as his bowling is concerned, we cannot blame him as there were dropped catches on his bowling. Yes he hasn’t batted up to the expectation so far but I still think that he will play his role efficiently in crunch situations.
FI: What about Younis comeback innings? Do you think he played exactly what is required from him?
I am happy that he gained his confidence back and it will help the team in coming matches, though his dismissal was soft.
KM: Misbah played well again in the last game against South Africa but do you think that he disturbed Pakistan’s batting momentum by blocking too many balls after a very good start by Ahmed and Sarfraz. And that eventually put pressure on Younis and Sohaib and made them play poor shots
Misbah has been the backbone of the Pakistan’s batting lineup for so long, he is playing according to the situation. The only thing I would say here, about his batting, that if he can try to rotate the strike by taking singles, it would take him out of pressure and he can score more runs.
FI: Who should make way for Haris Sohail when he becomes fit again – and why?
I think Umer or Sohaib will make the way for Haris. Why, because we can use him as sixth bowler and he can give some hard time to Irish with his batting ability.
KM: Pakistan has won all the games while batting first and lost all where it batted second. Do you see it as a potential problem? What if Ireland wins the toss and makes us chase? Do you think it would be worth selecting to chase and build some confidence at chasing before the knock out games?
Pakistan must bat first if they win the toss. This is not the time and room for experiments. Batting second is also not a problem; it just requires extra patience and confidence.
Ok, there’s a lot going off-the field as well. Lets touch that, briefly, before we move on.
FI: You have been very insistent about Sarfraz’s inclusion since the word go, and he played very well. Do you consider this as lack of vision within our team management that we didn’t play Sarfraz in the first 4 games or he didn’t have a place in the team?
Though, I have been asking Sarfraz to be in the team right from the beginning but if team management opted to sit him out then we must respect their decision. But after the first 2 matches it was clear to me that the management was confused and there’s lack of vision and confidence. As we all know about Sarfraz that he is a confident player irrespective of the situation he is in, he should have been part of the team from the beginning.
KM: What about that press conference incident with Waqar? Do you think Waqar handled it appropriately?
In my opinion, the reporter’s timing of asking that question was bad. The entire nation was celebrating a huge victory and another unnecessary controversy started. On top of all that, Waqar’s response was not appropriate. He could just simply excuse from responding to that question rather calling it a “Stupid Question”.
FI: Do you think there is any rift in the team? Politics in the camp? Or there is some intervention in the team affairs from other than team management?
I cannot deny.
KM: Moin Khan’s case has been closed down. Do you think he and the board handled it appropriately?
Moin Khan became a scapegoat. His act had nothing to do with the team as he was not part of the team and it was also cleared by the chairman. Later on PCB handled it wisely otherwise it would have been another material for media to increase their ratings.
Let’s have a quick look at the other events of the tournament.
FI: England knocked out, Bangladesh in – surprised?
I am not surprised. Simply Bangladesh played very well with full throttle
KM: Sangakara has scored 3 consecutive centuries in the World Cup. What you say about him?
What we can say about him, simply he is one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket.
FI: So many teams scoring 400+ so easily and 300 has become a par score really. Surprised with this development?
Fielding restriction is one of the key elements along with flat batting pitches. Flat batting wickets are not common in Australia and New Zealand. We have seen the results of matches played on these pitches before and they were not high scoring so yes I am surprised with the scores.
KM: Who is your favorite from here?
To be very honest nobody, any team who qualifies for QF can win the World Cup.
FI: Ok, what about Pakistan’s chances from here?
If Pakistan qualifies for Quarter Final and if they win the Quarter Final then I am seeing them playing the World Cup Final. Now there is no key performance required. We have to perform as a team, so we do not rely on any specific player. Everyone should try finishing the game.
KM: We have an important game coming up with Ireland. When we played Ireland in overcast conditions in Jamaica, our batting was exposed against the seamers and we folded at 132, do you have any suggestion for our team?
We are playing at Adelaide and it was never a seaming wicket so nothing to worry about, just relax J
FI: What would be your playing 11 against Ireland?
1. Sarfraz 2. Ahmed 3. Haris 4. Misbah 5. Younis 6. Sohaib 7. Shahid 8. Wahab 9. Yasir 10.Irfan 11.Rahat
KM: Who will win Pakistan v/s Ireland?
Pakistan!
That concludes our chat with Asif Mujtaba. We will see you again before the Quarter Finals!