'They tried to get me out but I was fortunate'
After blasting the Indians all around the park, Shahid Afridi tried to play down his innings, attributing it to the Almighty's grace, his captain's backing, and good fortune
Rahul Bhatia in Kanpur
15-Apr-2005
After blasting the Indians all around the park, Shahid Afridi tried to play down his innings, attributing it to the Almighty's grace, his captain's backing, and good fortune. Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Rahul Dravid spoke to the media after the match.
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Shahid Afridi
On his innings
It wasn't easy. Making the runs was necessary. I made it with the grace of God.
It wasn't easy. Making the runs was necessary. I made it with the grace of God.
On going after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh
I didn't have a choice. They tried getting me out but I was fortunate.
I didn't have a choice. They tried getting me out but I was fortunate.
On why he doesn't play bigger innings
My game is a risky one. My main aim is to help the team get off to good starts.
My game is a risky one. My main aim is to help the team get off to good starts.
About his captain's confidence in him
The captain's confidence is a big thing for me. When I wasn't performing in the first few games, I needed the faith of my captain. I had it, and hit a hundred today. His confidence is important for me.
The captain's confidence is a big thing for me. When I wasn't performing in the first few games, I needed the faith of my captain. I had it, and hit a hundred today. His confidence is important for me.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
On the team
This is a team game. Everyone works hard for a victory. They're improving everyday. The boys played positive cricket, believed in themselves.
This is a team game. Everyone works hard for a victory. They're improving everyday. The boys played positive cricket, believed in themselves.
On whether Ganguly's absence helped
Let's stick to questions about my team.
Let's stick to questions about my team.
About the line-up
The batting is flexible. Razzaq has batted in a number of positions. But the combination is looking good.
The batting is flexible. Razzaq has batted in a number of positions. But the combination is looking good.
On which contribution was more vital, Naved's or Afridi's
It was not easy to get 250. Afridi's innings was vital.
Even Naved's performance was very good.
Rahul Dravid
Who was at fault
It's no-one's fault. One man played brilliantly, and we have to give Afridi credit for it.
It's no-one's fault. One man played brilliantly, and we have to give Afridi credit for it.
On the decision to bat first
The decision wasn't wrong. We know about the movement in the morning. We also know it spins later. But because they managed 100 in 15 overs, we lost the match.
The decision wasn't wrong. We know about the movement in the morning. We also know it spins later. But because they managed 100 in 15 overs, we lost the match.
Was Tendulkar brought on too late
You have to back your quality bowlers. After Anil and Harbhajan, I brought on Tendulkar.
You have to back your quality bowlers. After Anil and Harbhajan, I brought on Tendulkar.
About the batting
We had to build a bit and push things along. Kaif batted beautifully. Even Dinesh did very well for us.
We had to build a bit and push things along. Kaif batted beautifully. Even Dinesh did very well for us.
About the bowling
There wasn't that much help for the faster bowlers but the spinners had help, as you saw. But I though Zaheer bowled very well. Seven overs for 34 runs in these conditions [was very good].
There wasn't that much help for the faster bowlers but the spinners had help, as you saw. But I though Zaheer bowled very well. Seven overs for 34 runs in these conditions [was very good].