Wahab Riaz says Pakistan determined to make a comeback

LONDON: The Pakistan cricket team is under pressure but the players are still determined to make a comeback and to regain their morale.

The team has been discussing their mistakes in the dressing room, speaking about how to overcome it and how to do well in games to come.

According to fast bowler Wahab Riaz, the players are gelled and eager to do well. “Each member of the team is motivating other members, we are each other’s strength,” Wahab said when asked how difficult it is to stay focused when players are being criticised by everyone.

“Everyone is saying things to us and at this time only team members can motivate each other, even more than family members. We are discussing our mistakes with each other and trying to compensate for our mistakes,” he added.

Wahab added that personal attacks on players following defeat against India are demoralising but added that sometimes this pressure makes you go for the kill.

“Our people are too emotional about the game against India. We are more disappointed than anyone else. The personal attacks are demoralising. One can always criticise us for our performance, but it is not acceptable to attack families. We wanted to do well, but we couldn’t do but I hope you will see the difference in games to come” he added.

The 33-year-old added, “We are aiming for a win, sometimes pressure motivates you. We will do good and InshaAllah and qualify for the semi-final.”

Analysing the team’s performance in World cup so far, Wahab said that the team hasn’t been able to perform according to its potential. “We didn’t play good enough, not as much as good we are,” Wahab said.

“Everyone is making efforts, we couldn’t bowl the way we should have been. We couldn’t take wickets in the start of innings. It is important to strike in England with balls, it is important to take early wicket to put pressure on the opponent and that’s something which we couldn’t do earlier, but we will do best in games to come,” he said.

The fast bowler added, the team didn’t play according to its potential in the game against India and Australia and let the game slipped away from a position where the team could have won.

“We need to take control of our minor mistakes,” he said.

However, Wahab was hopeful of a comeback saying Pakistan is still in contention and one can’t rule Pakistan out of the tournament.

“We are eyeing step by step, you never know, if we win all our games and England and New Zealand loses their games. So, who knows if we’re back in contention? We are focused,” he said, adding that South Africa doesn’t have the talent as Pakistan.

Responding to a question, Wahab said that he is ready to bowl with the new ball and, in fact, this possibility has already been discussed within the dressing room

“I am ready to bowl with the new ball. We have already discussed this possibility and the coach has already said to me that I might have to bowl the new ball. It depends on the situation, I have bowled after two to three overs as well, and practised with new balls on nets as well,” he said.

“I think we have not been able to take our preparation to the match. Bowling coach Azhar Mehmood is working hard with us, but we just need to improve our execution,” Wahab added.