Q: Excellent batting performance. What was the approach and plan?
A: I’ve been working extremely hard in the nets and behind the scenes. I was waiting for my opportunity and knew that when it came, I had to make the most of it. I’m pleased I was able to translate all that hard work into a performance that helped the team.
Q: How is the mood in the camp after the opening win?
A: Of course, we were disappointed with the results in the first three matches, but the team remained positive. Captain (Mohammad) Rizwan and coach Abdul Rehman kept motivating us, and today we were able to turn things around. This feels like the real start of the tournament for us, and hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the upcoming matches.
Q: Talk about the crowd support?
A: The Multan crowd has always supported us in past events, and today was no different. It was exciting to play in front of them—their energy really lifted us. Home advantage is all about having the crowd behind you, and they definitely were. With their support and encouragement, we hope to keep heading in the right direction.
Q: Who do you credit for this victory?
A: The captain deserves a lot of credit. He’s been backing the players since the start of the competition. Even while I was batting with him today, he was constantly talking to me and offering encouragement. He told me to take my time since the wicket was good for batting. I’m happy I could repay his trust and confidence in me.
Q: You scored 87 and missed a century when it looked achievable. Your thoughts?
A: Every batter wants to score a century, and I was definitely aiming for it today. But more importantly, we had a team plan to follow. Even though I didn’t get to three figures, I’m happy my innings helped us post a strong total, which the bowlers defended successfully.
Q: How did it feel attacking Shaheen Afridi and hitting him for two sixes?
A: Like I said, I had prepared really hard for this match. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a world-class bowler – his inswingers are particularly dangerous. I had visualized certain shots against him last night, and I’m glad I was able to execute those in the match. The two sixes were a result of that preparation, and I’m pleased with how it worked out.
Q: How do you preview the match against Islamabad United?
A: We played well today against Lahore Qalandars, and we want to stick to the same process. There’s always room for improvement, of course, but I feel we have all our bases covered. We just need to keep doing the basics right and carry this momentum forward.
