Pakistani cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed spoke to the media before their crucial match against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023. The match is set to take place on November 4 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Iftikhar, who is 33 years old, has scored 139 runs in the tournament so far. He mentioned that the team’s spirits are high after their recent seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
“We’re feeling confident after our latest win, and we’re determined to give our best in the upcoming games,” Iftikhar said. “We can only control our hard work, and that’s what our entire team is focused on. We have faith in our efforts.”
Iftikhar also lightened the mood by joking about the team’s eating habits. He mentioned that when they lose, people often criticize them for indulging in biryani, but not when they win.
“When we’re not doing well, it’s easy for people to point fingers, but no one talks about biryani when we win. We’re committed to representing our country positively,” he added with a smile.
Iftikhar Ahmed discussed his role in the team, both as a batsman and a bowler. He explained that he follows the team’s plan and is ready to bat in any position as required.
“We’re aware of the importance of maintaining our net run rate (NRR). We’ve played in Bengaluru before, so we understand the conditions. In Indian conditions, it’s crucial to score runs quickly in the early overs,” he stated.
He also noted that Indian wickets don’t offer much help to bowlers, so they adjust their field placements based on the pitch conditions. If the ball isn’t swinging much, they consider placing a slip fielder.
It’s essential to mention that Pakistan is facing a New Zealand team dealing with injuries, and winning this match is crucial for Pakistan to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.