'Do we need a spinning coach as well?'
The press conference, the first Inzamam had given since the match began, centered around the problems of Pakistan's bowling, the flatness of the pitch and whether or not the match can be saved
Osman Samiuddin
30-Mar-2004
After spending almost two debilitating days in the field, Pakistan finally got a chance to see how good the pitch was for batting. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yasir Hameed began the fightback, only to lose some late wickets at crucial times. The press conference, the first Inzamam had given since the match began, centered around the problems of Pakistan's bowling, the flatness of the pitch, and whether or not the match can be saved:
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On Pakistan's bowling problems in the ODIs and the first Test
We have had some problems with our bowling and we haven't bowled well thus far. The discipline continues to be a bit weak. We improved on the second day considerably and I thought we were unlucky. The fielding has been poor in this game. A long bowl will help us in a way, because it gave the bowlers a chance to get their rhythm back. The Indians stuck to a line and length and they bowled well.
We have had some problems with our bowling and we haven't bowled well thus far. The discipline continues to be a bit weak. We improved on the second day considerably and I thought we were unlucky. The fielding has been poor in this game. A long bowl will help us in a way, because it gave the bowlers a chance to get their rhythm back. The Indians stuck to a line and length and they bowled well.
On the pitch
We want to play on positive, sporting pitches. These types of wickets do not suit us or help us to play positive cricket. Our attack consists of pace bowlers, not seamers, so we would like hard and bouncy pitches. There was communication between the team management and the curator as regards the pitch, but that type of wicket obviously couldn't be produced.
We want to play on positive, sporting pitches. These types of wickets do not suit us or help us to play positive cricket. Our attack consists of pace bowlers, not seamers, so we would like hard and bouncy pitches. There was communication between the team management and the curator as regards the pitch, but that type of wicket obviously couldn't be produced.
On the need for a bowling coach
If spinners don't bowl well, do we then need a spinning coach as well? How many coaches do we need? If a team doesn't perform well once or twice, it doesn't suddenly mean that we need all sorts of coaches.
If spinners don't bowl well, do we then need a spinning coach as well? How many coaches do we need? If a team doesn't perform well once or twice, it doesn't suddenly mean that we need all sorts of coaches.
On saving the match
It is difficult but if we continue to bat as we did today, when we were attacking, we can do it. There is still a lot of life in the match. Our batting has been good throughout the series and we performed well today - 364 for 6 isn't such a bad score, it just seems small against a score of nearly 700. Razzaq, who batted well, is still there and Saqlain and Sami can bat. We need 111 runs to save the follow-on and if we bat like this tomorrow, I am confident we can save the match.
It is difficult but if we continue to bat as we did today, when we were attacking, we can do it. There is still a lot of life in the match. Our batting has been good throughout the series and we performed well today - 364 for 6 isn't such a bad score, it just seems small against a score of nearly 700. Razzaq, who batted well, is still there and Saqlain and Sami can bat. We need 111 runs to save the follow-on and if we bat like this tomorrow, I am confident we can save the match.
On Yasir Hameed and the nervous nineties
If he keeps getting nineties all the time, I won't be too displeased. He played well today, but maybe he gets nervous when he gets close to the century. If so, then he needs to work on that.
If he keeps getting nineties all the time, I won't be too displeased. He played well today, but maybe he gets nervous when he gets close to the century. If so, then he needs to work on that.
On debatable dismissals ... like his and Yousuf Youhana's
All the batsmen were well set when they got out, so it was very disappointing. I can't say anything about the dismissals, but you have all seen the TV replays so it is up to you to decide whether or not they were debatable.
All the batsmen were well set when they got out, so it was very disappointing. I can't say anything about the dismissals, but you have all seen the TV replays so it is up to you to decide whether or not they were debatable.
On Saqlain's poor performance, and an extra spinner
He has been out for some time but he tried very hard on a very flat pitch. Let's see what happens in the remainder of the match. An extra spinner would not have made much of a difference on what is a batting paradise.
He has been out for some time but he tried very hard on a very flat pitch. Let's see what happens in the remainder of the match. An extra spinner would not have made much of a difference on what is a batting paradise.
On not congratulating Sehwag, and Tendulkar's near-miss
All the players did congratulate Sehwag on his effort, but I will do it now officially: Congratulations Virender Sehwag, on your magnificent triple-hundred! [Referring to Tendulkar:] Every team plays to its own plans. If someone was so close in my team, I would let them bat on for the double-century.
All the players did congratulate Sehwag on his effort, but I will do it now officially: Congratulations Virender Sehwag, on your magnificent triple-hundred! [Referring to Tendulkar:] Every team plays to its own plans. If someone was so close in my team, I would let them bat on for the double-century.