We will try to look at the India game as just another match: Bismah Maroof

Akash Ghosh

08 Feb 2022 00:00 IST

New Update

We will try to look at the India game as just another match: Bismah Maroof — Bismah Maroof © Getty Images

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof expressed a desire to start the World Cup campaign against India on a positive note. She feels that a good show against the arch-rivals can give her side the right momentum and could fuel the rest of the campaign for them.

Maroof spoke to the press before the team’s departure to New Zealand. The Pakistan team will have a mandatory quarantine period of 10 days before they can start practicing. Pakistan will play a couple warm-up matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh, before they start their campaign against India on March 6 in Mount Maunganui.

“The way World Cups are, it is important that we get the momentum from the very first match. Hence, starting on a good note is very important. We will try to look at the India game as just another match. We will try to get a win and move ahead with some strong momentum on our back,” Maroof said.

The returning skipper further shed light on the national camp which was held in Karachi in preparation for the World Cup. “The camp was good. There were very competitive matches and we tried different players in different scenarios. There was a good enough response from all the players. The team looks in good shape as of now,” the captain added.

Maroof also spoke about handling the pressure and intensity of a tournament like the World Cup. She reiterated that tackling the pressure and getting the momentum is important from the very beginning, stressing upon the fact that it will be crucial for her team to start off well.

“Look, there will be pressure in all the matches. It's a World Cup, it is a big tournament. As a team, we will try to tackle the pressure. Definitely, we will try to get some early momentum from the opening game against India and carry forward that into the rest of the matches. In a tournament like this, if you are able to start off well, you can also end on a high note. And that is our goal for now,” the 30-year-old said.

ALSO READ: Bismah Maroof returns to lead Pakistan in World Cup 2022

Being away from the national side, Maroof’s comeback into the side just in time for the World Cup will remain an inspirational story for many. Speaking about the leadership group and her taking over from Javeria Khan, she gave an insight into how her leadership works.

“As a captain, I have always had a psyche that I take advice from the senior players who are around me and obviously Javeria (Khan) is one of them. That is how things will run now that I am back as captain. The goal is to have the right kind of conversations which can benefit the team,” Maroof added.

Lastly, she spoke about the one facet she has seen improvement in since her comeback. “Since I have made a comeback to the side, I have noticed there has been a significant improvement in fitness. The girls are moving well on the field. As a fielding unit also we have been looking good on the ground,” she concluded.

Bismah Maroof ICC Cricket World Cup, 2022 World Cup 2022