Colombo, Feb 10 (NationPress) Opening batsman Sahibzada Farhan attributed his success to thorough preparation, strong self-belief, and a clear understanding of his role at the top of the order after leading Pakistan to a 32-run victory over the USA in their Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday.

Farhan’s dynamic knock of 73 runs off 41 balls set the stage for Pakistan’s formidable score of 190/9, a performance he had anticipated during practice the day before the match.

“During our practice session yesterday, the ball was hitting my bat perfectly in the nets. I had already informed our batting coach, Hanif Malik, that I was feeling confident heading into today’s match,” he shared during the post-match presentation.

The right-handed batsman expressed unwavering self-confidence entering the game, even predicting that he would secure the Player of the Match accolade. “I was sure of my performance. I mentioned that I would conclude the match in a way that would earn me the Player of the Match award,” he declared.

Farhan emphasized that achieving personal milestones aligns with his overarching goals for the tournament, stating, “I’ve set a personal objective to win at least two to three Player of the Match awards in this World Cup.”

Considering the conditions in Colombo, Farhan noted that the pitch allowed players to express themselves freely, fitting perfectly with Pakistan’s aggressive batting strategy. The 28-year-old explained that his natural attacking style matched the requirements of T20 cricket, particularly in the initial overs.

“I felt this pitch was quite favorable. The ball was coming off the bat nicely. Opening with Saim Ayub, Farhan mentioned that their responsibilities were clearly defined, especially during the Power-play. As openers, our role is to make the most of the powerplay. I naturally adopt an aggressive style of play,” he added.

While Ayub provided a solid start before being dismissed for 19, Farhan believed his partner was unfortunate and maintained that his approach remained consistent, focusing on his strengths rather than holding back. He also acknowledged the clarity provided by the team leadership, emphasizing that aggression during the Power-play was a tactical instruction.

“Ayub started well but was a bit unlucky. My thought was to continue playing my natural game because, in T20 cricket, openers must adopt that approach. That’s the captain's directive for us, to maintain the offensive in the first six overs,” he explained.

Looking forward, Farhan indicated that Pakistan would uphold their aggressive philosophy, even against formidable opponents, concluding by reiterating the team’s commitment to maintaining a positive cricketing spirit as the tournament unfolds.

“We will enter matches with the same mindset as we did against India, including the Asia Cup. Our aim is to remain positive and play attacking cricket,” Farhan wrapped up.