Hafeez – the new ball wonder

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez (R) celebrates after dismissing West Indies' Devon Smith. -Photo by Reuters

DHAKA: Pakistan off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez on Wednesday said he did not feel any pressure when captain Shahid Afridi handed him the new ball during the quarter-final against the West Indies.

“The plan was made one day earlier that I have to bowl with the new ball,”said Hafeez, who picked two wickets off the first and fourth ball of the sixth over to dismiss Devon Smith and Darren Bravo.

West Indies eventually crumbled to 112 all out in the 44th over.

“There was not any pressure really. I had done this before so I was very comfortable with the new ball. The team management made the plan and I had to go with it.The plan could have backfired with the free-scoring Chris Gayle at the crease but Hafeez said he knew where to pitch the ball against the left-hander.“I tried to bowl straight as much as I could. I tried not to give any width to their left-handers,” said Hafeez, 30.

Hafeez credited an improved fielding effort to the hard work put in by the team in practice sessions.

“We have worked hard on the fielding in the last six-seven months. Everyone in the team is trying to give his 100 per cent. The coaches have done a good job.“We are very happy to bowl them out for 112. It was team effort. That’s a target we should reach comfortably.”