'My contribution was very small' - Inzamam
Quotes
Osman Samiuddin in Ahmedabad
12-Apr-2005
Inzamam-ul-Haq's unflappability proved to be the decisive factor in a titanic battle but he was characteristically modest at the end of the day. He and Rahul Dravid spoke to the media after the game:
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Inzamam-ul-Haq
On whether this was his best innings
No. My contribution was very small. The real contributions came from the top order - from Afridi, Razzaq, Butt and Malik. It was a total team effort to chase 316.
No. My contribution was very small. The real contributions came from the top order - from Afridi, Razzaq, Butt and Malik. It was a total team effort to chase 316.
On what he was thinking on the last ball
I wasn't thinking anything on the last ball. I was just praying to God to help me.
I wasn't thinking anything on the last ball. I was just praying to God to help me.
On using Danish Kaneria so late
You have to use a bowler according to the match situation. Afridi was bowling well at the time so I didn't use him.
You have to use a bowler according to the match situation. Afridi was bowling well at the time so I didn't use him.
On Pakistan's biggest chase
It was a difficult target, but our only chance was to keep wickets in hand for 25-30 overs. The top order did that and kept the required run-rate down which made it easier for us later on.
It was a difficult target, but our only chance was to keep wickets in hand for 25-30 overs. The top order did that and kept the required run-rate down which made it easier for us later on.
On Ahmedabad
The public really supported us and looked after us. The team is very happy with the way things are here.
The public really supported us and looked after us. The team is very happy with the way things are here.
On whether he thought Pakistan's chances had gone at any stage
After Malik's dismissal and then the two run-outs later, I thought our chances slipped a little. But the required run-rate, thanks to our top order, was always manageable.
After Malik's dismissal and then the two run-outs later, I thought our chances slipped a little. But the required run-rate, thanks to our top order, was always manageable.
On the series from here
Every game is a new game. We have to work hard, continue working hard and plan well for the next few games.
Every game is a new game. We have to work hard, continue working hard and plan well for the next few games.
On the run-outs
In the one-day game it happens a lot. You have to take a chance, you have to push runs. It happens sometimes, Younis Khan is a good runner, and Akmal's was a direct hit.
In the one-day game it happens a lot. You have to take a chance, you have to push runs. It happens sometimes, Younis Khan is a good runner, and Akmal's was a direct hit.
On Sachin's form
Sachin is a great player and he will make it difficult in the next few games. But if my boys play like this then we will be fine.
Sachin is a great player and he will make it difficult in the next few games. But if my boys play like this then we will be fine.
On Sachin bowling the last over
He was the most experienced guy around. Sourav took a chance and it almost succeeded as well.
He was the most experienced guy around. Sourav took a chance and it almost succeeded as well.
Rahul Dravid
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On the game-plan
The game-plan was to try and defend 315, that was the basic idea. Give credit to Pakistan, they chased brilliantly during the middle overs. The Malik-Razzaq and Malik-Inzamam partnerships were crucial, they ran lots of singles. We let them collect a lot of singles. We didn't bowl as well during the middle overs, and the fielding wasn't that great either.
The game-plan was to try and defend 315, that was the basic idea. Give credit to Pakistan, they chased brilliantly during the middle overs. The Malik-Razzaq and Malik-Inzamam partnerships were crucial, they ran lots of singles. We let them collect a lot of singles. We didn't bowl as well during the middle overs, and the fielding wasn't that great either.
On Sourav Ganguly opening
The decision is for the team management and Sourav to take. But the decision has to be in the best interests of the team.
The decision is for the team management and Sourav to take. But the decision has to be in the best interests of the team.
On the commitment
We never gave up trying. We just didn't bowl enough in the right areas. Three hundred and sixteen is a big total to defend, and although the game slipped during the middle overs we did well to fight back. But it was a little too late.
We never gave up trying. We just didn't bowl enough in the right areas. Three hundred and sixteen is a big total to defend, and although the game slipped during the middle overs we did well to fight back. But it was a little too late.
On what's gone wrong
In the last match we didn't bat well. Here we didn't defend well and the fielding wasn't that great. We have to improve in all three areas, our allround game. We have to play well over 100 overs, we played well just in patches but we have to play well throughout.
In the last match we didn't bat well. Here we didn't defend well and the fielding wasn't that great. We have to improve in all three areas, our allround game. We have to play well over 100 overs, we played well just in patches but we have to play well throughout.
On missing Harbhajan
There's no point talking about people who aren't on the field. We have to do with the 11 players we have on the field.
There's no point talking about people who aren't on the field. We have to do with the 11 players we have on the field.
On Tendulkar bowling the last over
Experience. We thought he was a tough guy to face, especially out of the rough, in the last over. We had to take a gamble. Every decision is the captain's. He is the final authority and he can take advice from anyone, including me. He has to take the praise or the criticism.
Experience. We thought he was a tough guy to face, especially out of the rough, in the last over. We had to take a gamble. Every decision is the captain's. He is the final authority and he can take advice from anyone, including me. He has to take the praise or the criticism.
On who had more at stake
You can't say one team had more at stake than the other. We both want to win the series.
You can't say one team had more at stake than the other. We both want to win the series.
On whether he would have made Sachin bowl the last over
Yes, I would have.
Yes, I would have.
On the crowd booing
You get used to the crowd reaction, whether it is praise or criticism. They are fulsome in their praise and vocal in their criticism, but it is part of the game and we have to deal with it.
You get used to the crowd reaction, whether it is praise or criticism. They are fulsome in their praise and vocal in their criticism, but it is part of the game and we have to deal with it.