“My first Player of the Match [in the CPL], so I am happy. But the biggest thing was that today is the legend’s birthday, and I am happy that I could make it memorable. This award is dedicated to him,” Moqim, whose 4 for 14 helped restrict Jamaica Kingsmen and set up the Falcons’ win, said on the broadcast after the game.
“The plan was to control the line and length. There was a lot of dew, so it wasn’t easy, but I managed to land the ball where I wanted to. I used a lot of variations, and that brought me success.”
For Shadab, who is in the middle of a comeback of sorts to international cricket, the tournament came at an opportune time. He picked up 11 wickets in seven innings at an economy rate of 4.89, and chipped in with 132 runs from six outings at a strike rate of 227.58.
“When you’re playing as the allrounder, you try to give it everything on the field, either as a bowler or as a batter,” Shadab said. “Wherever I bowl, you need to take wickets. So I think the bowling [went well], because I was struggling for the last couple of years, so I needed that type of performance. And hopefully from here I get a proper rhythm and confidence.
“I think I was mentally free because of the [batting] role given me: I have to fulfil that role because most of the time I have to play the death overs. I made up my mind that way as well. And when you are mentally free… you will get failure as well, you accept the failure; but when you’re free, that type of mindset, most of the time you succeed.”
Part of the reason it was Moqim’s first Player-of-the-Match award, rather than his second, was that Shadab had taken the award in Qualifier 1. Moqim’s 4 for 13 were marginally better figures than Shadab’s 4 for 16, but Shadab’s haul included a hat-trick, with Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Quentin Sampson his three victims.
“That type of a milestone you need in your career and to get it [in the] qualifiers, so on a bigger occasion, [is great],” Shadab said. “I’m very happy because, again, as a bowler when you’re doing this type of stuff, most of the time your team will win. So most importantly, if your team is winning and you’re doing well for the team and you contribute for the team, I am more than happy.”
Pakistan’s next T20I assignment, after the ongoing Asian Games in Japan, is in Sri Lanka in October, and if Shadab and Moqim get in the touring party, they could both be points of difference if they can keep up the form they showed in the CPL.
