Fresh from his exploits in the Twenty20 match at Bangalore during which he rocked the Pakistan top-order with a three-wicket burst, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was pitch-forked into the centre of the media glare.
During the press conference on the eve of the second Twenty20 match against Pakistan, the Indian seamer proved to be a man of few words and constantly reverted to the ‘executing-plans’ line when asked about his strategies as a medium-pacer.
Bhuvneshwar admitted to a strange amalgam of ‘nerves’ and ‘being normal’ in his debut game at the international level. “I was a bit nervous as it was my first game but once I stepped onto the ground I was normal. I just wanted to execute my plans and I never thought too far ahead,” he said.
The Uttar Pradesh spearhead said that the pitch at the Sardar Patel Stadium here was different from the one in Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. “The pitch here might be a bit slow unlike the Bangalore wicket where there was seaming condition. As for having extra spinners, that is the management’s decision. We just want to win this game,” Bhuvneshwar said.
Pakistan positive
Meanwhile, standing on the cusp of clinching the Twenty20 series, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez said that the team is positive not just about the shortest version, but also about the subsequent three ODI matches. “The team is confident and positive and it is not just about these matches (Twenty20) but also about the entire tour,” Hafeez said.
The visiting team’s captain termed fast bowler Mohammad Irfan as an ‘outstanding talent’. “He did well in the domestic tournament we had back home before coming here. We are not trying to change him and we have allowed him to express his talent,” Hafeez said.
He also sprung to the defence of his younger batsmen. “It is not that they don’t have any experience. They all have played lots of first-class cricket and have worked hard to get here. We are fielding the youngsters in the top-order to give them experience and because they are the future of Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez said besides adding that the pitch looks ‘slow and might aid turn’.
