Inzamam - 'I felt a lot of pressure'
At the end of the drawn Test at Mohali there were happy people in all camps
Cricinfo staff
12-Mar-2005
At the end of the drawn Test at Mohali there were happy people in all camps. Pakistan and India had something to take out of the game and approach the second Test at Kolkata with confidence. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sourav Ganguly, and Kamran Akmal, the star of the day, spoke to the press at the end of the Test.
 |
|
Inzamam-ul-Haq
On Pakistan's performance on the fifth day
I am very happy with how we batted. We had just four wickets left today, we were far behind, and yet we managed to draw the game. This will give us a lot of confidence in the rest of the series. Our morale is high now.
I am very happy with how we batted. We had just four wickets left today, we were far behind, and yet we managed to draw the game. This will give us a lot of confidence in the rest of the series. Our morale is high now.
On the Pakistani fans in the crowd
I would thank all those who came from Pakistan and cheered for us. But the Indians cheered for us too. So it makes no difference. Obviously there'll be less Pakistani fans in the next Test, but it does not matter. This is Test cricket, and we are used to it.
I would thank all those who came from Pakistan and cheered for us. But the Indians cheered for us too. So it makes no difference. Obviously there'll be less Pakistani fans in the next Test, but it does not matter. This is Test cricket, and we are used to it.
On what he thought were his team's chances in the morning
Honestly, I didn't have many hopes. But borh Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal are good batsmen, and I thought that if we could take a lead of 200, we could put pressure on India. They played tremendously.
Honestly, I didn't have many hopes. But borh Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal are good batsmen, and I thought that if we could take a lead of 200, we could put pressure on India. They played tremendously.
On areas of improvement
Our fielding. We have to work on that. We let many opportunities go by in this Test. If we had held some of the catches that came our way, this Test would have ended differently.
Our fielding. We have to work on that. We let many opportunities go by in this Test. If we had held some of the catches that came our way, this Test would have ended differently.
On his bowlers
Look, there was no help from the pitch after the first day. Despite this my bowlers did a terrific job. Especially on the third day, they did a great job of containing the Indians. I'm very happy with the way all my bowlers bowled.
Look, there was no help from the pitch after the first day. Despite this my bowlers did a terrific job. Especially on the third day, they did a great job of containing the Indians. I'm very happy with the way all my bowlers bowled.
On how he felt after Pakistan were 10 for 3
Oh, it was very difficult. We had begun the innings 204 behind, and there were still two days left. But the boys were very determined, and they showed character in coming back into the game.
Oh, it was very difficult. We had begun the innings 204 behind, and there were still two days left. But the boys were very determined, and they showed character in coming back into the game.
On why he did not watch much of the partnership between Razzaq and Akmal
It was difficult for me. I felt a lot of pressure. I stayed inside the dressing-room, I came out only much later.
It was difficult for me. I felt a lot of pressure. I stayed inside the dressing-room, I came out only much later.
Kamran Akmal
On his approach to his innings
I just waited for the bad balls. The bad balls came. I got a hundred.
I just waited for the bad balls. The bad balls came. I got a hundred.
On the pitch
Good pitch. I got a hundred, didn't I.
Good pitch. I got a hundred, didn't I.
Sourav Ganguly
On when he became sure that India could not win
When Pakistan's lead reached 210, with maybe 35 or 38 overs left. Then I knew that we couldn't win.
When Pakistan's lead reached 210, with maybe 35 or 38 overs left. Then I knew that we couldn't win.
On how hard it will be for the Indians to reconcile themselves to
this draw
I don't think it will be tough. We must give credit to Razzaq and Akmal. They batted brilliantly under pressure. We dominated this Test for four days; it's just that we could not finish the Test today.
I don't think it will be tough. We must give credit to Razzaq and Akmal. They batted brilliantly under pressure. We dominated this Test for four days; it's just that we could not finish the Test today.
On whether the draw could be blamed on India's slow batting on the third day
No. They were six wickets down at the start of today, we had 97 overs to get them out and get the remaining runs, and we couldn't. Our batting had nothing to do with it.
No. They were six wickets down at the start of today, we had 97 overs to get them out and get the remaining runs, and we couldn't. Our batting had nothing to do with it.
On whether they missed Harbhajan
Well, we did not know at the start of the Test what would happen. We saw the moisture on the wicket, made a decision to play the third seamer, and so we had to leave Harbhajan out. And out bowlers bowled well until yesterday, so it looked like a good decision.
Well, we did not know at the start of the Test what would happen. We saw the moisture on the wicket, made a decision to play the third seamer, and so we had to leave Harbhajan out. And out bowlers bowled well until yesterday, so it looked like a good decision.
On the pitch in Mohali
This is my fourth Test in Mohali. Three of these four have now been draws. The pitch played well throughout the Test, and we played well on the first four to set up the win. But we couldn't finish it off.
This is my fourth Test in Mohali. Three of these four have now been draws. The pitch played well throughout the Test, and we played well on the first four to set up the win. But we couldn't finish it off.
On whether India find it hard to bowl to the tail
Razzaq and Akmal are not tailenders. They are good batsmen.
Razzaq and Akmal are not tailenders. They are good batsmen.