Jaipur, March 24 :
?Playing against India is always pressure but I always play better under pressure. It makes me more determined,? said Saeed Anwar, after receiving the Man of the Match award today.
Anwar continued, ?We are really united now under Akram. You saw how we fielded today, throwing ourselves at each delivery. Akram has made us into a team.?
About Pakistan?s World Cup prospects, Anwar said, ?for three months we were written off by everybody but now some people are making us favourites. I feel we have a good chance as our main bowlers ? Akram, Saqlain and Shoaib have experience of conditions in England. I have got tons in England and Ijaz and Inzamam also enjoy batting there.?
Akram said after today?s victory, ?Our confidence is soaring. All our players put in their best. I am happy that we have blended into a determined squad on this tour. Our comeback, after so many accusations back home, is pleasing.
?Anwar is now the most consistent and probably the best opener in the world. It was good to win even without Saqlain, one of our best bowlers,? Akram added.
Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said, ?Today what was particularly pleasing was our fine fielding and consistent batting.?
India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, however refused to term today?s loss a disaster. ?It is not at all a disaster. It happens to every team. It is part of cricket.?
He continued, ?We tried our best and many of us were tired after Nagpur. We did not throw the match away and many of our batsmen got out playing defensive strokes. Their bowlers were in good form today.?
About losing the toss, Azhar said, ?I am not making excuses but I would have preferred to bat first. The wicket got worn out when we batted and got slower and slower.?
Regarding his own poor form he said, ?It is not that I am playing badly, it is just that I am not getting runs. I hope to get a big score soon.?
When accused of not leading from the front, Azhar angrily retorted, ?Such comments are harmful for Indian cricket and should be stopped. If I had not motivated my players, I would not have won so many matches. I have my own method of communicating.?
Coach Aunshuman Gaekwad also said, ?It was a bad day for India but our batsmen were not out to poor strokes.?
No SOS to Sachin: Lele
Despite today?s defeat, the BCCI has ruled out plans of sending an sos to Sachin Tendulkar. Board secretary Jaywant Lele however, said it was left to Tendulkar whether he wanted to play. ?He can inform the board and arrangements will be made,? he said.