Sarfaraz, Shadab say there is no pressure, will focus on playing good cricket

Published February 19, 2020
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan and Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed address the media on Wednesday. The teams will play their first match in the Pakistan Super League 2020 tomorrow.
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan and Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed address the media on Wednesday. The teams will play their first match in the Pakistan Super League 2020 tomorrow.

Quetta Gladiators Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Wednesday said that he has full hope the quality of cricket that will be played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 will be great and the crowd will see some brilliant matches.

He was addressing the media alongside Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan a day before the two teams are due to play their first match of the tournament against each other at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Responding to a question about the pressure Quetta Gladiators would be under as defending champions, Sarfaraz said, "My entire focus is on my team. Of course, there is pressure to defend the title, but we will try to continue playing good cricket like we have been playing."

Shadab Khan said that although it was his first time as captain of Islamabad United for the entire tournament, he felt there was "no pressure because of the team we have, the combination, the coaches, the management."

"My effort will be focused on playing the best I can for my team so that my team wins," he added.

On being asked how difficult he thought it would be to captain the team in the presence of prominent players such as Ingram and Malan, Shadab said that he thought it will be "easy because they are professional players".

He reiterated that they will play as a team and he would try to seek their for advice in case of any difficulties.

Sarfaraz said that is a very positive thing that people are supporting both local and foreign players because "people don't know how much Pakistanis love [them]."

"Now that the entire PSL is being held in Pakistan, I believe this will send a very positive message and after this PSL, more international teams will come to Pakistan."

Shadab added that the international players are "very excited".

"They said they were very happy because they came here to play [for the people] and the people supported them."

He said there was a lot of excitement generally as well since international cricket is returning to the country after 10 years.

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.