15 February - Cape Town - Pakistan player Muneeba Ali post-match press conference
[Reporter]
You've made history today. How does it feel?
[Muneeba Ali]
Yeah, it felt really nice, and I enjoyed that evening. These days don't come very often, so yeah, I want to enjoy this night.
[Reporter]
Did you get nervous at all when you were in the 90s and you could see that 100 might be possible?
[Muneeba Ali]
Yeah, I wasn't nervous because we were looking for a big total just to keep on playing and keep on doing what we were doing. So, I wasn't nervous, but yeah, I like to have 100.
[Reporter]
Could you talk us through some of that innings? I mean, some of your shots were outstanding. You seem really strong on the offside. How have you built up to this moment?
[Muneeba Ali]
Yeah, initially I got a start in power play, then we were just building up a partnership. Then in 12 to 13th over, we realized that we can go big and also I can make 100. So, we were just pushing ourselves and keep on trying to have a boundary and singles.
[Reporter]
I mean, there were a couple of chances, one drop catch. Was your heart in your throat there for a bit?
[Muneeba Ali]
No, because that was our plan, no matter what happened, but we keep on playing the way we want to play. So, if I got out, then I got out. That doesn't matter.
[Reporter]
Your previous highest score in this format is 43. So, what do you think made the difference tonight that you were able to more than double that?
[Muneeba Ali]
I don't know, but these days don't come very often and we don't get these chances in international cricket regularly. But I just want to thank God to have this kind of night for me and I cherish this moment.
[Reporter]
If I could just add to that, then of course you had to come out and keep wicket. Was it a difficult transition? You know, after the euphoria and the adrenaline of scoring and then you had to come out and keep wicket. Was that hard to do?
[Muneeba Ali]
No, that wasn't hard because I got a good run. So, I was enjoying my time in the middle.
[Reporter]
So, last year or 18 months ago, you were playing – and your strike rate and your power game was not that good. What work did you do in that aspect of the game? And the way you batted today, can you talk a little bit about that?
[Muneeba Ali]
Yes, that was the first thing that came to my mind. I was working on improving my skills and finding the boundary options. So, I think the same thing worked out today and I was able to build partnerships because of which I was able to do my work.
[Reporter]
When did you get into the mindset that you can make a century today?
[Muneeba Ali]
Between the 12th and 14th overs, when there were more runs, I realized that there were still overs left and there were fewer runs. So, I was able to make it. So, at that time, I was talking to Nidha and she was also pushing me to make my 100 because such moments don't come again and again. So, that was the only effort that paid off.
[Reporter]
When you lose, those who have a mic criticize you very harshly. And your management does a very good job that you are losing because of that criticism. I think you have answered all of that today. Would you like to say anything to those who have a mic and who were a little harsh with you?
[Muneeba Ali]
No, they criticize because they want to demand results from us. We never take constructive criticism in this way. We always try to put whatever we are saying in our game and do it well. We played well in the last match as well, but we slipped out in some moments. Because of that, all of our teammates were worried about that loss. But I think today's match was very good for us and everyone is happy, so I think this is what matters in the end.
[Reporter]
In your over in 14-15 - 16 you scored 12-14 runs. Do you think it should have come a little earlier or was it too late by the time he came?
[Muneeba Ali]
Look, it keeps going like this. Sometimes you score a lot in an over and sometimes you score less. But the thing is, how do you finish? And that we are fulfilling the demand from the management and the captain. So we don't think like that, but we think that in the end we are doing our job and I think that's what happened today. So that's why it's good.
[Reporter]
My question as being a centurial today, how did you stay motivated after your team suffered a psychological setback following India defeat in the last game? I mean, was there anything specific you had in mind as you arrived at the crease today?
[Muneeba Ali]
I think everybody has same thing in mind too, because we played good cricket, but we lost in a couple of moments at that match. So we weren't demotivated. We all were motivated because it's a big tournament and we want to finish high and we want to make it to semis. So that was the motivation for us and everybody.
[Reporter]
You played very well. In the beginning, when Juveria was struggling a bit, what was the reason behind that?
[Muneeba Ali]
I think she wasn't struggling at all. She had less chances to strike. In the beginning, you need 2-3 overs to make your hand-eye coordination according to the pitch. After 2-3 overs, it wasn't that bad. We were at 25 at that time. But that's the thing. Only a couple of people perform in T20 and they take longer. I think it was my day today.
[Reporter]
I have a question for you. You already had 100 in one day. In this innings, you accelerated very well. You played very well with the field and you played well with the bowlers. In this innings, did you realize anything new about your technique and batting that will help you in the future?
[Muneeba Ali]
I think the longer you play, the more you learn. You learn how to manipulate everything with the field. That will be useful. In Australia, it was our last series. We learned a lot from it. The results were not in our hands, but individually, we learned a lot. I think it paid off today. If we play in future matches, it will pay off.
[Reporter]
We thoroughly enjoyed your 100 and we are very proud of you. But I would like to ask, you played a lot of strokes on the extra cover. Which is your favorite shot and do you enjoy playing the pace or spinners more?
[Muneeba Ali]
My favorite shot was on the extra cover. I think I like the pace more. But I am working a lot on my spin game and hopefully, I will enjoy it further.