We cannot stop anyone from criticising us.
— Inzamam-ul-Haq
It's always special playing in Australia and New Zealand.
It is a do-or-die battle every time we play India.
The 2005 Test tour to India was special, as I captained and we won at Bangalore, and it was a great tour for us, and even winning against India at Lahore in 2004 was a memorable day for me.
It is not easy when people laugh at you.
One day, those who play have to leave the stage.
In Pakistan cricket, the real test comes when the team is not doing well. When it is winning, everything is fine.
The PCB needs to be clear in its stance on players who have been involved in corruption and tarnishing the image of the country. Because playing for the national team is the highest honor for any athlete.
As my parents are from India, I am told a lot of positive things about the country, the culture and traditions of Muslims in India. I don't remember anything nasty told to me by my parents.
T20 is an unpredictable format, so you cannot rule out any team's chances.
We must live in peace. It's necessary.
We have to keep our feet on ground, stay humble, and collect all praise, well-wishes, and prayers because these will help us in future.
It's not as if I never used to get under pressure. That is nonsense. It's just that my looks gave an appearance, and people didn't think I was tense.
All successful captains in the world have had long-term roles to make a difference.
My career has been as clear as a crystal.
I think most people thought that because I am quite reserved and private, I wouldn't make a good captain.
I coached Afghanistan for seven months. Out of those, I spent five and a half away from home.
Playing Test cricket for one's country is the ultimate, but people are enjoying Twenty20 format because everything will be over within three hours.
We were able to dominate the world in the '90s because the World Cup victory completely transformed us and changed our mindset.
In the single group format, where each team plays against the other, it gives a chance to the established outfits to make a comeback if they falter in the early games.
There is always great significance playing against India, and it is always special and a treat for people in both countries.
Handling pressure is the key to doing well in Indo-Pak matches.
Adjusting to life without cricket hasn't been very tough.
I have no problems playing under anyone.
World Cup 2003 was the worst phase in my career, but that is now behind me, and I am doing all-out efforts to get my place in the team back and further my career.
If you don't have bounce on the pitch, even a spinner cannot come handy.
When the key players in your team perform well, the team does well, too.
Dhoni is a big player. He's achieved a lot as a player and as a captain.
It is never easy for a professional cricketer, who has represented his country for 17 years, to forget the past and adopt a new lifestyle.
I won't say I have won many matches, but I used to take care to just do my role.
Whoever you name as captain, it's a hard choice.
Sometimes we need to make changes in the XI as per the conditions, and as per the player's form.
Criticism is natural; it's just that you have to deal with it positively and use it to improve.
I remember, before the 2003 World Cup, I worked extremely hard on my fitness. A great deal of training and dietary discipline. I believe I lost 19 kg. And 19 is the number of runs I scored in the entire tournament.
The World Cup 2015 will be a stage for youngsters to make names for themselves and earn the respect and recognition of the cricket pundits. However, this can only be achieved if they don't get overawed by the situation, stay focused, stick to basics, respect the opponents, and follow match plans that will vary from match to match.
The victory in the 1992 World Cup changed Pakistan cricket. A number of cricketers from that side turned out to be role models and inspiration for the younger generation.
Tests with India always produce some great finishes.
I don't mind positive criticism, but when it is negative and personal, it is quite hard.
I didn't play much under Imranbhai, but he was special.
It is when your team is losing that the captain has to keep the players together. He has to fight for them.
My desire, like everyone else, is to see the team win.
No one can deny there is a lot of pressure when Pakistan and India play, especially with the expectations of the fans at home.
In the one-dayers, it boils down to who performs better on the day of the match.
I love to watch Rohit Sharma bat.
As more we play cricket, the more players will learn from it.
Trust yourself in tight situations, but you need to have a plan. You might fail once, twice, but you will get better at it.
It's important what you can do for your team. Even if you score 30-40, if it contributes to team's victory, then it is always memorable.
Besides being a sportsman, I am also a human being.
I never really sought out the captaincy at any stage in my career. Now that it has been handed to me, I would obviously like to do it justice and keep performing well. The day I stop performing will be the day I happily relinquish the role.
Against any team, confidence is crucial.
