Babar Azam (Pakistan, Captain) Final Post-Match Press Conference Transcript | PAK v ENG | T20 World Cup 2022

Q. Where did you feel that game was lost?

BABAR AZAM: I think we were 20 runs short, but the way our fast bowlers bowled in the first six overs, I thought maybe in the middle overs we made a comeback. But after the Shaheen injury, the match shifted to the England side. But I am very happy the way our team performed.

Q. How was it out there knowing that Ben Stokes was still at the crease? You know what he's done in the past at World Cups before; how were you feeling when he was going out there?

BABAR AZAM: He's one of the best allrounders in the world, and the way he was playing, he played until the end, and he finished the match.

Q. Just wanted to ask you what you thought of the pitches for this tournament, and did you enjoy captaining in T20 cricket where there's a bit in the pitches for the bowlers and you're seeing lively things happening with the ball?

BABAR AZAM: As we know, Australian pitches are good, there is always bounce and pace. Our fast bowlers bowled very well in the tournament, so I'm very happy.

Q: Captain, how saddened are you at the defeat?

BABAR AZAM:**** I think we were 20 runs short and we couldn't defend the total because of that. I think we caught them in the middle overs but Shaheen's injury cost us a lot. Maybe it would have been a different result, but this is part of the game and I am very saddened.

Q: In the beginning, there were no boundaries. What was the strategy at that time? Was the wicket difficult or did you take pressure that it was the final?

BABAR AZAM: No, we didn't take pressure because the conditions were a little different and the ball was seaming a lot early on. We tried to score 45-50 runs in the first six overs but some of our wickets fell. I think in the 11th over, we were between 85-90 runs but we did not get the momentum after losing some quick wickets.

Q: Babar, you have played in a lot of ICC tournaments. I was wondering if you have taken part in any more emotional or memorable campaign?

BABAR AZAM: It has been very stressful for us for the past one week because we were in and out. We grabbed opportunities and tried our best in four matches. I think we should give credit to the team. We played our best cricket. It is very sad when you come to such a big event in the finals, you can't finish it.

Q: Is it mainly pride or disappointment?

BABAR AZAM: We are very proud to play for Pakistan. It is very sad when you can't finish it. We couldn't finish it in the Asia Cup too.

Q: How will you sum up this tournament? What are the positives?

BABAR AZAM: As a team and captain, I am very proud of the team. The way the middle order stepped up and won matches for us, the way they put in the effort and individual performances, everyone contributed in this tournament.

Q: Babar, Pakistan scored 80-plus in 12 overs. After that, Pakistan lost momentum. Did we bat badly? Did England bowl well or did the wicket become difficult for Pakistan?

BABAR AZAM: You can give credit to England's bowling but this is not an excuse. As a cricketer, you have to play according to the situation and we are trying to build partnerships. But when the back-to-back wickets fall, there is pressure on you. That pressure was with us till the end of the 20th over and we couldn't do what we thought. But I think the way we fought back in bowling and we took it till the end of the game, maybe if Shaheen would have bowled, it would have been a different scenario. But this is part of the game. There are many positives. We will grab the positives and leave the negatives behind.

Q: How was it out there knowing that Ben Stokes was still at the crease? You know what he has done in the past in World Cups before. How were you feeling when he was going out there?

BABAR AZAM: He is one of the best all-rounders in the world and it was outstanding the way he finished the match.

Q: Babar, India or Pakistan's philosophy of playing T20 Cricket is to play in one day style. You have to keep the wicket and hit it at the end. England has continuously shown to two big Asian teams how T20 cricket has changed. Are these kinds of surprises necessary for a change? Whether you talk about Pakistan or India, do you feel that you get a strong message when you come to such tournaments?

BABAR AZAM**:** It depends on the situation. What is the demand from you and after that you plan. Every team has its own plans and we stuck to our plan. Sometimes we are not able to give 100% but we try not to repeat our mistakes. But this is a part of the game. Sometimes you do well and sometimes you don't. This is the beauty of cricket. Every day is different. Everyone has their own mindset. I utilize it in the first six overs. Both teams struggled after the first six overs.

Q: Babar, I just wanted to ask you what you thought of the pitches for this tournament. Did you enjoy captaining in T20 Cricket where there is a bit in the pitch for the bowlers and you are seeing lively things happening with the ball?

BABAR AZAM: As we know, Australian pitches are good, there is always bounce and pace. Our fast bowlers did well, so I am happy.

Q: Babar, this whole tournament was connected to the Pakistan side with 1992. Your thoughts?

BABAR AZAM: I want to thank the whole crowd here in Australia and Pakistan. The way they supported the team. In all the venues, our matches were almost packed. They came and supported us. The main thing is that they enjoyed the cricket. The fans always hope that we do well and we do well. Sometimes we go up and down. The situation was similar to the 1992 World Cup scenario. But I don't think the finish was like that.

Q: Babar, there are two big events. Asia Cup and today's World Cup. We have lost both. Do you think that in the future, we can make some changes in terms of middle and upper order? So that things get better.

BABAR AZAM: I think it is too early. We will go and discuss it. We are focusing Test cricket and when T20 cricket comes, we will talk about it.