25 March - Christchurch - Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof pre-match press conference
Reporter: You’re obviously going to be playing on the same pitch again, what have you learnt from the match against England that you’ll take through to the New Zealand game?
Bismah: I think we know the conditions now and especially in batting how we can apply more as ourselves and bowling we know these are likely for the fast bowlers, so we’ll plan better for the New Zealand match.
Reporter: It’s also going to be the first match with full crowds, is that something that gives added pressure to you or do you think that pressure is all on New Zealand?
Bismah: Not really, I think pressure will definitely be on New Zealand, we just want to enjoy the game and put up a good show on that day.
Reporter: What’s the fitness status of Javeria? Is she available for selection? If yes then will we see her playing? Because there is only one match left and as she is very experience player so is there any plan to include her in playing XI in next match? As its last match, so will we witness the chances being given to those players who have not appeared much in this world cup such as Glulam Fatima and Muneeba?
Bisma: yes Javeria is available for selection. Our top order was performing well. We included Muneeba in last match because of T20 format. Naheeda and Sidra Amin have scored runs for team so definitely we back them. Anyhow, we will sit down and finalize the team combination for next game. Anyone who will be fit, will be part of playing XI against New Zealand.
Reporter: Just reflect on the tournament a little bit. You had very close two games. In last match you ended the losing streak. You have got two points and next match is up against New Zealand. Just reflect on how this tournament has been for you. What are the learnings what - where Pakistan have to improve going forward and on that?
Bismah: These were two very close games which we should have won I think and the mistakes we had made - the key moments we are losing and not crossing the line. But the West Indies win gave us the confidence that we can do it and it's just to do it consistently and have a belief and we can beat any team and of course I think the approach to our batting that should have been – we’ll talk about that and will change that in the future. I think the woman's cricket overall has been changed and especially in batting, you have to score runs, to give a chance to bowlers to defend matches.
Reporter: As you mentioned that there is lack of intent in Paksitan batting lineup and we need to change our approach in ODI format. Don’t you think there is some mistake not to include Muneeba Ali consistently in the squad? Muneeba has played few ODI games and you can give her an ODI game intent. As we saw her playing in previous game in which overs were reduced to 20 years due to rain and it became T20 format. Don’t you think the player like her deserve to be part of team who shows intent.
Bisma: If we reflect back, in previous year our top batting order was failing. This was a big tournament so we relied on our senior players and up to some intent they responded well. But if we talk about overall batting approach, it needs to be changed. You know, we need to pick our areas, back ourselves and can score big. Definitely, we will get back, we will work on overall batting approach of our team.****
Reporter: My question is about Aliya Riaz - she has over the last couple of years been Pakistan’s top batters, but she hasn't quite been able to perform to those standards in this tournament. What kind of conversations have you been having or the coaching staff been having with someone like her over the course of this tournament?
Bismah: She is the kind of player, we don't want to give her pressure and we just want her to apply herself, because we know that if we give her too much information – pressure, then she will not be able to play. So we have given her a free space so that she can apply herself, but definitely she has scored even one match and she doesn't have a good tournament. But she also realized that and I hope that she can you know whatever contribution she has done in the last year she will continue that and perform for the team.
Reporter: Just one more if I can. A slightly more positive question in terms of you did mention that the top order has somewhat played in this tournament -so what does the success of someone like Sidra mean, in the bigger picture for cricket in Pakistan because she's come - you know to World Stage and scored 100 against Bangladesh albeit in a losing cause but what does that kind of success mean for cricket in Pakistan?
Bismah: Of course 100 - Definitely. It's a big thing for us because we haven't - we don't have much centuries – so I think that is something to celebrate, and Sidra has been working really hard and I think she has showed the potential and the skills she have and I hope she continues like that and keep on improving.