21 March - Hamilton - Pakistan player Nida Dar post-match press conference

Reporter: Nida you played very well and took 4 wickets as well. We all know match was delayed due to rain. What was mindset when you came to bowl and did pitch offer some assistance?

Nida: It was a great and must needed win for us. We are very happy to play and win today’s game. Being a senior and role model for team, one always try to play well for her his team. When I came to bowling I tried to hit good areas. Thanks to Allah Almighty I was able to execute my plan well and got the wickets which our team needed at that time.

Reporter: After reading pitch did you try to spin the ball or tried to bowl arm balls. We all watched the game and observed that you took 2 wickets on off spinner. Were there different plans as per wicket conditions?

Nida: Yes conditions were supportive. Ball was gripping on the pitch and I knew that ball will spin on that strip. I had my own plans. I did not do same balls rather I had different plans. The footwork of West Indian team is exceptional so I had to bowl accordingly. However, today’s pitch was supporting the bowlers as there was turn in the pitch that’s why spinners got help from pitch today.

Reporter: Today Muneeba was having her debut world cup game. What are your thoughts about her batting on these tricky conditions?

Nida; Yeah she made good comeback and off course world cup is a huge platform and every player dreams to perform well in world cup. She was inducted in team after analyzing the West Indian bowling and tricky pitch conditions. I think she has performed very well in given conditions. Low scoring matches in these sort of conditions are always tricky. But how she set the tone for Pakistan team it was amazing. Then Bisma came and chipped in very well. Anam has been bowling very well from day one. So today’s victory was result of team effort.

Reporter: How do you rate your own performance as you made a best bowling figures record for Pakistan in world cup history? Also, what are your thoughts about first game of Muneeba and her excellent performance?

Nida: She has been with us since long time. Every player dreams of playing world cup game and with it for her team. Whatever she learnt in past years was displayed in today’s game. She played brave and splendid inning. She must have got much confidence from it. It would be good for team if she and other players carry today’s form in upcoming matches.

Reporter: how do you rate Muneeba performance in today’s match? In upcoming matches, should we expect some changes and how much confidence team have got after this game?

Nida: Our plan to go with best strategy and best combination in next games. Definitely muneeba had played key role in this victory. Bisma role was significant along with sidra amin. So they have set tone for coming games. In world cup we are bit late to gather this momentum but we will hopefully finish it well.

Reporter: You got one week off after Bangladesh defeat. How tough was that. How team got motivated in this one week gap. Being a senior you have responsibility, how much you are enjoying to take this role.

Nida: We lost to Bangladesh and we never wished for these sort of results. We were at the top of game in that match but we could not finish it well. It was a tough time but we learnt many things. We reshaped our plans and strategy and took the positives out of that game. Being a senior it’s my responsibility to keep positive attitude in the team and motivate others and myself as well. Because when senior players perform well it gives boost to youngsters. We are motivated for next games.

Reporter: After taking 4 wickets today, now you have crossed sadia yousaf the leading wicket taker. Now you only need to cross sana mir to be highest wicket taker of Pakistan. What are your feeling about this achievement? Secondly, in previous world cup, you were not in squad but in this match you have performed very well and especially against India you took key wickets. Against South Africa you scored a fifty and almost took it to victory. Today you have registered best bowling figures record for Pakistan in world cup. So how was your world cup experience?

Nida: Thank you for appreciating my game however I am not happy with my performances in this tournament. I think I could not performed as a senior should. I want to perform well and win games for my team as senior so that the youngsters may learn and it will inspire the girls back in Pakistan, watching these games. If I make any record some youngster should go to break that record. My team kept supporting me and lifted me. I always try to perform well for my team but Pakistan must win that game as well. If Pakistan does not win, my individual performance does not matter. My aim is to grab maximum wins for Pakistan.

Reporter: how the dressing room environment will change after that game and the moral of team?

Nida: definitely win gives you boost and confidence for next matches. Player’s moral go high and they set their tone for coming matches. This match was very crucial to be won which will set your tone. Girls are in good mood as they have win the match. We will carry this win momentum in next games, Insha’Allah.

Reporter: Were there specific bowling plans against Dotting?

Nida: off course, against good teams, you have to plan well. When I saw her hitting hard I wished to get her out by myself. I was planning on the boundary that what would be good ball in that scenario. By chance, I caught it well as the ball was not that much good? Against good players, I do make plans and try to stick to that plan.

Reporter: Just wondering, this afternoon when the match was delayed. What did you guys do at the hotel to fill in the time?

Nida: We were actually thinking about the match. And we were trying to play this match today because we desperately needed after one week rest. So yeah, we were thinking when we play Match, it will be a shorter format. And we love to play shorter format. So we all ready for this match and when the girls came out, and they know - yes, we are playing today. So these girls played really well today.

Reporter: And we heard there might have been some interaction with other players. Were you getting a few -were there any players around getting pointers from any players from other teams at the hotel?

Nida: Yeah, Indians are there. Indians are there - other girls are there. So everyone we interact with, They're really good with us. And we have a good relations.

Reporter: And what song on the team bus on the way back to the hotel?

Nida: Actually, all the girls are listening on the air pods. So I don't know.