6 March - Tauranga - Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof post-match press conference

Reporter: Hard luck on the result today. Just like in 2017, Pakistan were in a really good position with India going down to 114 for six- what do you think went wrong from there on?

Bismah: I think we were in the game, we bowled well in the first phase, but we didn’t bowl well in the second phase and we give away too many runs and credit to their batters and the way they have capitalized their innings - I think they took us they took the game from us from there.

Reporter: Is there anything that you look back and see if you could have done differently in the last 10-20 overs in bowling?

Bismah: Definitely we were short of the ball and I think we were struggling in the field as well – if we could have put them under pressure, I think the way we have bowled in the first phase - we could have done in the second place as well. I think the target couldn't have been lesser.

Reporter: Hard luck today Bismah - My question to you is about the start with the bat - were Pakistan a little too cautious in the first 10 overs or was it the plan to preserve wickets in the power play?

Bismah: I think their bowlers, opening bowlers bowled really well upfront and I think our batters didn’t lose balls and they put us under pressure – their bowlers and I think the shot selection from our batters wasn’t good, if we could have played well and if we - you know if we can manage 2-3 partnerships, big partnerships, I think we could have chased it down.

Reporter: And just a word on Pooja Vastrakar - the way she batted, were you caught a little surprised about her counter attack - was that part of the reason or did you expect that she was going to go hard - just talk to us a little bit about that particular innings.

Bismah: We have seen some innings of her, we know she hits hard - but I think our bowlers they bowled well to her and she capitalized on the balls.

Reporter: Yesterday you had spoken about how the lack of familiarity through game time against India is definitely a consideration between matches - in matches between the two teams. Do you think that besides the videos that you watched, having had more game time against the likes of Sneh Rana or even a Pooja Vastrakar or Deepti Sharma for that matter, would have helped Pakistan prepare better?

Bismah: We would like to play games against them. But having said that, I think we were prepared for that and it's just we didn't execute well today.

Reporter: And if you could probably tell us a bit about what you made off your left arm spinners performance - Anam Amin and Nashra Sandhu – they kept India on a leash for quite a long time.

Bismah: They bowled well in the first phase, but in the second case, I think yes, they were short a bit - but they put under pressure the batters of India and they had a class and we are backing them and we know - they can they will come hard in the next games.

Reporter: And the final one - I saw a photograph of yours with your daughter Fatima has gone viral on social media. Tell us a bit about what does it feel like to have gone out there and played your first international match since the maternity break and to have Fatima around to see you lead the team as captain and also play a World Cup match.

Bismah: Yeah - It was a very different feeling and coming back in a World Cup and playing a match. I was a bit emotional and my mother and my daughter is there – it was a special moment for me and I really want to make it count – this tournament- because they both are here.

Reporter: Alright, so we have time for one last question.

There's a lot of emotion in this game. There's a lot of Indian support and a lot of Pakistan support as well. Is it almost a relief now, taking on one of the strongest opponents after the competition - is it almost a relief to learn the lessons today and apply them for the rest of the tournament - knowing that your battle hard by playing one of the tougher opponents in the competition?

Bismah: Definitely – India is a strong side and they have showed and they have played really well today and we did hit a six and we need to learn and try to replicate in the next matches.