Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik is not too worried about the underdogs tag lying over their head going into the 2016 WT20. He draws comparison from their WC triumph in 1992 (50-overs) and 2009 (WT20), when they were neither given much chance to succeed. At an open media session in Kolkata, Malik said if the entire Pakistan team gives their best shot, they will stand a great chance of causing another upset this time around.
Does the underdogs tag botherIJ
It’s good that we’re underdogs and that gives you a lot of confidence at the same time. We are here to do well. let’s talk about 1992 WC first. People were not expecting us to do well and win it but we won that. Same thing happened in 2007 WT20 when we did well before losing to India in the final. In 2009, we were not that big as a team but still we won.
What do you make about your team’s early exit in the Asia CupIJ
We could not deliver as per the expectations in the Asia Cup. It’s part of life, we are professionals. Whatever happened has happened. We are here to give our best. It is a new tournament. We will try to help each other out and will try what is best for us.
How helpful do you think the Pakistan Super league will be for the countryIJ
It is going to take a bit of time to come to a level where rest of the world is. If you look at successful Indian players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, you could figure it out that they have improved a lot after they started playing IPl. PSl will be the same thing. Yes we are behind at the moment but the fact is we have a lot of youngsters. We are learning. It is a great opportunity for us to do well and bring Pakistan where the rest of the world is.
What do you make about the much talked about India clashIJ
When I am playing against India I don’t think internally. It is media which has created a lot of hype for this match. It is a great match for the youngsters to do well and get a superstar status. But we should just go out there and give your best shot. When you think you don’t focus on the match. Our focus should be on winning whoever the team maybe, that should be the kind of commitment we need in our team.