Champions Trophy: ‘Not taking pressure for India clash’
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is making sure his players feel no pressure ahead of their high-profile clash against arch-rivals India in the ICC Champions Trophy in Birmingham on Sunday.
“We are trying to stay relaxed and not take pressure. It is important to be relaxed and confident before every big game, to keep the nerves in check,” Sarfraz said while speaking to a private news channel.
When asked what bowling combination he plans to unleash against India, Sarfraz said the decision would be made after reading the pitch on the match day (June 4).
“It depends on how the pitch looks before the game. We will unleash our best pace attack, maybe three or four fast bowlers if needed, or a combination of spin and pace,” the 30-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman said.
He vowed the team would give their best in every game of the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy.
“You will see us playing to the best of our capabilities. You will see a fighting team,” Sarfraz said. “We will do our best to make our country proud.”
Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2017
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Comments (44) Closed
Jun 02, 2017 08:23am
Doesn't matter. Outcome should be favorable. His time no excuses please
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Jun 02, 2017 08:27am
Best of luck team Pakistan!
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Jun 02, 2017 08:28am
Good spirit!! Good Luck boy!!!
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Jun 02, 2017 08:53am
Play Immaad Wasim,Faheem Ashraf,Shadab Khan.Pitches are dead and not good for bowling.
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Jun 02, 2017 09:09am
Yes we know that already. As Azhar Ali already stated that India Pakistan game is 'just another game'... just another game where we will play as if we are playing in our backyard, not seriously giving all effort to win and just going through the motions to happily score 250 something runs and thinking our job is done and if we lose, the factors were beyond our control...just normal business as usual...so no pressure on us at all...
Pressure will only be taken by teams that seriously want to win this Champion's league...we are there to enjoy the game and the surroundings.
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Jun 02, 2017 09:25am
The more you repeat you are "not under pressure", the more it means you are "under pressure".
Feeling pressure for both teams is natural as is victory for one and loss for the other.
A win or a loss, however, should not mean the end of the world for the loser.
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Jun 02, 2017 09:49am
This means pressure is working.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:06am
These frequent statements by Pakistani players in the media is itself a proof that they under tremendous pressure. How many Indian players have we seen making such statements?
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Jun 02, 2017 10:07am
Good. Play your normal game boys and lets hope for the best. All prayers for Sarfaraz and Pakistan team. Good luck
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Jun 02, 2017 10:12am
Waiting for Sunday's Big Match..!!
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Jun 02, 2017 10:13am
All the best to both the teams as a fan i would like to see good game of cricket played in good spirit.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:15am
Mauka mauka mauka mauka.......
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Jun 02, 2017 10:15am
Best of Luck!
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Jun 02, 2017 10:16am
I think sarfaraz needs to do a reality check. No harm in being confident but lot of harm in being uninformed. With what Pakistan is going thorough he better understand that the hopes of 200 Million Pakistanis depend on him to salvage some national pride.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:34am
No need to stress, Pakistan will lose anyways..
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Jun 02, 2017 10:38am
Pressure speaks.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:39am
We also look forward to an enthralling clash and an entertaining match.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:39am
Indian team esp batsmen (Rohit, Rahane, MSD) are out of form. Hence, it's the best available chance for Pakistan team to register their win against India.
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Jun 02, 2017 10:46am
Good you said that, however pressure is always there, though you don't want to take it. Eventually it starts disturbing your brain and thought process when you enter into the field. all the best
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Jun 02, 2017 10:54am
Well you should!!!
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Jun 02, 2017 11:03am
Best of luck Team GREEN.
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Jun 02, 2017 11:14am
Injury is mandatory. Suffering is optional. Just play the game in the spirit of sportsmanship to the best of your ability. Above all, enjoy the pressure, for pressure makes diamonds.
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Jun 02, 2017 11:41am
It's just a game for entertainment
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Jun 02, 2017 11:51am
This is called sportsmanship.
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Jun 02, 2017 11:56am
@Sarah Spinners against India will not be a good option. we must play to our strength which is fast bowling.
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Jun 02, 2017 12:12pm
It would be tough.. but all the best
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Jun 02, 2017 12:16pm
Nothing lasts for ever India can't keep on winning for ever.
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Jun 02, 2017 12:26pm
The new rules if ODI, 2 balls from both sides, heavy bats and less fielders outside with power plays have just killed the excitment.. its all about scoring 300 + as balls are not in the picture any more..... the interest is lost in the game...Yesterday ENG vs BAN game was like watching a 0-0 mid pitch football game.... Had to switch off the TV.. we killed hockey by changing rules and now Cricket....
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Jun 02, 2017 01:02pm
The statement of Pakistani ODI Captain is wise and in time. Hope the team would stand united and give its best in the upcoming matches.
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Jun 02, 2017 01:11pm
We know the result but all the best!
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Jun 02, 2017 01:31pm
A good fielding can be a difference between win and lose
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Jun 02, 2017 02:30pm
"You will see us playing to the best of our capabilities. You will see a fighting team"
That is all I want, Skipper!
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Jun 02, 2017 02:38pm
Speak less n show more like we Indians.. we never speak big we just bang the opponent at the field plz don't make big claims before people and disappoint like u always did on the field
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Jun 02, 2017 02:46pm
Too much talking reflects nervousness.
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Jun 02, 2017 02:56pm
Same sort of statement is given before every indo-pak clash of icc tournament..And same result in seen in icc tournaments
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Jun 02, 2017 02:56pm
@Ali Although comment is altogather off the subject but you are very right..its enough for the bashing and trashing of the bowlers now..bring back the art of reverse swing..as cricket is not about sixes and unconventional shots..it is also about enjoying the beauty of swinging incoming yorkers..which were the signature balls of wasim,waqar,shoaib,lee..now it is almost extinct
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Jun 02, 2017 03:14pm
This is not end of the world.
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Jun 02, 2017 03:19pm
What a silly joke?
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Jun 02, 2017 03:40pm
Don,t take oppenent lightly. India is the best team currently and its not easy to defeat them. Good luck
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Jun 02, 2017 03:42pm
Come on. It's just a game, not war
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Jun 02, 2017 03:45pm
Sir
Rain is predicted on the match day so it will be a wash out. This is why both Sarfaraz and Kohli are cool on the match
Thanks
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Jun 02, 2017 05:51pm
A captain stepping into his position smoothly. Good luck.
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Jun 02, 2017 08:11pm
Sarfraz is a very smart cricketer, and he knows how to win over India.
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Jun 03, 2017 05:45am
If Sarfraz have some sense than he should open the inning. Batting line up should be:
Fakhar Zaman (1), Sarfraz (2), followed by Babar (at 3), Imad (at 4), Shoaib (at 5) Hafeez (at 6), Shahzad (at 7), Faheem (at 8), Shahdab (at 9), Amir (at 10) and Wahab (at 11).
I think, 3 fast bowlers, 2 spinners and 3 part time slow bowlers is right combination.
Reason for this line up: Pakistan needs stroke batsmen with high SR early in inning, so that fast runs are scored, Only if stroke players fail miserably early on, than only tuk-tuk brigade comes in to hold the inning with their tuk-tuk batting. In this way, Pakistan would avoid tuk-tuk brigade from playing slow early on and put Pakistan in situation where losing becomes guaranteed (due to slow early runs). One should remember that most tuk-tuk batsmen average is also not so good, that anyone can justify their coming early.
If Pakistan would not follow such aggressive batting line up, than result is obvious failures.
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