21 February - Cape Town - Pakistan player Fatima Sana post-match press conference
[Reporter]
After the match against the West Indies, you were quite demoralised, you all lost your hopes and today your captain was also not in the team. So what was the reason that today England made a record score against you in T20 World Cup. What do you have to say for this?
[Fatima Sana]
Firstly, it is not that we are demoralised, Bismah was injured because of which she did not play. We tried our best to play good cricket against the England team. Today was not our day, that’s why we were left behind, no doubt they played fantastic cricket because of which they achieved such a huge score.
[Reporter]
I guess it was quite a disappointing end to your tournament but you came in with a lot of hope and there were many experiences that you wanted to have. Do you feel you ticked some boxes and there were a couple of things you learned from here that you can use in the future?
[Fatima Sana]
Of course, we tried our best to learn whatever we could. In such big events we always get a lot to learn and as youngsters – and of course we have a lot of youngsters in our team this time - they must have definitely learnt a lot and I too have learnt a lot from this event. Most of the girls have learnt from this tournament.
[Reporter]
If we look at the gap between yourselves and a team like England or Australia, what do you think needs to happen to close that gap?
[Fatima Sana]
Firstly it’s about the league – they all play together in leagues, so then whether its India, England or Australia – they don’t have such a big barrier like us. So, like now even we are going to have a PSL/IPL – so that will help improve women’s cricket and hopefully even Pakistan cricket.
[Reporter]
Just thinking about the future after the World Cup, does it worry you that Pakistan players haven't been included in the forthcoming Women's Premier League?
[Fatima Sana]
Of course, that is what we always talk about that when it’s about women’s cricket – which countries come forward. So of course, the way India is growing and they will have a league and everything. They have a nice environment to play with all the big players. So, this is what we lag behind in, that we don’t have a league. Now PSL has also been announced, so that will help us grow our cricket too and not only ours, overall women’s cricket will grow.
[Reporter]
You’ll couldn’t defend 150 runs and couldn’t chase 117 runs – it’s very disheartening to see such a performance, especially when so much is being done by your country for women’s cricket – like The Exhibition League has just started.
Second -your former players have also been included in the commentators' box, so that they get more support and they get to see more girls. They have started to televise. After that, when you take this performance to your fans and the upcoming generation, is it enough or is it less?
[Fatima Sana]
Look, it's not that we're not working hard. We try to play for our country, and we try to play for our fans, because no matter how much they support us, and as you all know, Pakistan doesn't have those many women cricketers. But despite that, the way girls come out of their homes and play, I think that's why people support us a lot. It didn't happen this time, but Inshallah, we will do better next time.
[Reporter]
As a young fast bowler, you have probably been reliant on Diana Baig many times and you rely on her. So, her absence and getting injured must have been a huge push in this Pakistan campaign. And the way your campaign started and ended.
And the second question is, what are your future expectations? Because we saw that your video with Elyse Perry was very well received on social media. You performed exceedingly well. So, this absence of Diana Baig and your future expectations, tell us a little bit about it, please.
[Fatima Sana]
As you can see, when there is a partnership for something, it grows. So, the way we talk to Mary and Danny, we learn a lot about bowling. And some things that we couldn't do, we tell each other and we cover them. So, I think that's what's lagging in this series. The rest is that injuries keep happening. If they have happened, then this is ours. That in the future, no matter what you're going to rely on, it's not like you're going to rely on it. But I wasn't up to the mark, so I'll try to stand up for my team next time.
[Reporter]
I want to ask you about your overall experience. The Pakistan team performed very well against the West Indies. Especially, that was a wonderful match from the history. What do you think is the overall learning for the Pakistan team in this tournament? And how much grooming is needed, especially in terms of captaincy, in the absence of Bismah Maruf. Do we have enough strength to take this team forward?
[Fatima Sana]
Absolutely. As you said, if we take this positive note, then this is what we get first. The way we played with India; we got our highest total in this World Cup. So that's why we got the motivation to do well against such big teams and we will grow. So, every girl has grown from her side. So, we will try to stand up for this team in the future and make Pakistan proud.
[Reporter]
Obviously, it was a disappointing game for you. I wanted to ask what do you think is the area in this tournament where Pakistan needs to make a lot of improvements?
[Fatima Sana]
I think, personally, I think we are found lacking in pressure situations. Because we all have the skills to fight it out and play good cricket. But we are don't do well in pressure situations, whether they are batters, bowlers, or fielders, because we are not playing that kind of competitive cricket. So, we will get out of this situation and find a solution and do something next time.
[Reporter]
A lot of things are happening. No doubt, the result is not in favour of Pakistan. But if we talk about the positive things, Muniba Ali scored 100, Bismah Maroof scored 68. The spin format delivered the rest of the things to Pakistan well. My question is, how much did Diana Baig's injury affect Pakistan?
Secondly, you and Aiman Anwar scored 10 per over runs. The spinners were under 5. What was the reason that they were able to score more quickly? And the spinners controlled it.
[Fatima Sana]
As you know, you said that we started with Muniba's century. Then we got the highest score. So, if you see on any side, if the experience is lacking or the experienced player is not there, then you have a problem. But the thing is that we youngsters should come forward and we should do our best. Because injuries can happen to anyone, whether they are seniors or juniors. So now it was our job to solve that thing. So, the rest is to try to stand up for this team in the coming times. And all the youngsters are there to take this team forward.