Calcutta: Mohammed Hafeez, who was Pakistan's T20 captain during that country's last bilateral tour of India, in 2012-13, spoke to The Telegraph at length on Thursday evening.

Hafeez, 35, was frank while answering the questions at a location away from the public eye.

Excerpts..

Q India have begun their World T20 campaign with a huge defeat, while Pakistan had a good win over Bangladesh. Your thoughts ahead of Saturday's marquee clash against India?

A Fans across the world see such matches as the ultimate in entertainment... For us players, though, pressure toh rehta hai. Pressure because Indian fans want their team to win, Pakistani fans don't want their team to lose... The players get caught in this crossfire of expectations... The upcoming match would be high on pressure and we, in the Pakistan team, would have to handle it better than we've probably done in the last couple of matches. Of course, that's a personal view.

So, how would you approach Saturday's match?

(Smiles) I'll try to play without pressure... That would be my objective. The more one can relax, the better the chance of succeeding... I'd like us to beat India and break the jinx of not winning against them in either the World Cup or World T20... Woh toh change karna chahiye . Hopefully, we will, at a ground which has iconic status.

You had an ordinary Asia Cup, but got runs both in the World T20 warm-up match and against Bangladesh...

I accept I didn't do well in Dhaka... Being a senior player, I was under quite a bit of pressure and, yes, I couldn't do the job for Pakistan. However, on returning home, I worked on my game and began mentally preparing for the World T20. By the grace of Allah, I've begun well.

Obviously, you'd like to return for the April 3 final...

That would be terrific... I've been playing for Pakistan from 2003, yet haven't been part of a World Cup or World T20-winning team... To be part of history would, as they say, be the icing on the cake.

Your teammates and you have been in Calcutta since Saturday... Plenty of time to settle down before the Big Match...

Indeed, yes.

How do you rate India's T20 team?

The Indian team has never been light on any account, has always been formidable. This is a good side... That said, India have to handle the favourites' tag given to them before this World T20... That label increases the load of expectations which, in any case, must be high as the tournament is being played in India... The favourites' tag brings with it additional pressure and I don't envy the Indian players on this count. The fans want India to win every match, but is that possible? Aisa hota nahin hai ... It's a challenge for the Indian players to live up to the expectations of the entire country.

Did you watch the India vs New Zealand match?

The hype in the build-up left me bemused... I was surprised that nobody even bothered to rate New Zealand... Ajeeb laga. New Zealand, after all, have been playing good cricket for the past year or year-and-a-half. I feel New Zealand are a very fine package and it's best not to underestimate them. They are equipped to play in the subcontinent. That they defeated India didn't surprise me, for I don't consider New Zealand to be lightweights without Brendon McCullum.

What is New Zealand's strength?

New Zealand have maximised their talent, got the talent to play to potential. That, for me, is their USP.

Many are of the opinion that this Pakistan team has a very good bowling attack, but isn't that strong in batting. I assume you won't agree...

I don't subscribe to this assessment, though I respect the right of others to hold the view they have. Don't take our batting lightly... We have plenty of variety in our bowling, yet I wouldn't declare we have the best attack. Others teams, too, have good bowlers and a good bowling unit. It's all about how the 40 overs go for bowlers and batsmen.

The public at large doesn't seem to think that T20 demands a lot from players. What are your thoughts?

Look, T20 bahut hi mushkil format hai. Many may see it only as entertainment, but it is very tough... In some ways, the most difficult of the three formats. This T20 is such that reputations are made or unmade in minutes. Hero se zero ya zero se hero... Generally, the feedback I get is that most don't treat this format seriously. Believe me, it's not fun only... It's serious cricket. Players get picked/dropped on the strength of their T20 performances... We get hailed or criticised on the basis of what we do in this format. The T20 format both exposes one quickly and fast-tracks stardom.

In a tournament, what makes the difference both for individual players and teams?

Momentum plays a role, the ability to adapt is a big factor. However, both don't guarantee anything. Team A may have had a great 12 months, but if the same side can't get it right in the course of two-three weeks, then it has to take the earliest flight home. Clearly, T20 doesn't give you a second chance. Even in ODIs, you get a small window of opportunity to get back into the game. Forget getting that chance in a T20 match. Which is why, bahut hi mushkil format hai.

Pakistan played on Wednesday, but did you get the chance to watch at least a part of Chris Gayle's blazing innings against England?

Don't we all know that Gayle, on his day, could help the West Indies chase down even 300? For Gayle, nothing is impossible.

Who is the most complete T20 batsman?

One batsman? You've asked a tough question... There's Gayle, there's Virat Kohli... There are quite a few. Every team has one or two batsmen with that X factor. They have the capability to single-handedly win matches.

To talk of your career... Your first appearance for Pakistan was in 2003, after the World Cup, yet you became a regular from around 2010/2011... Isn't that a regret?

What is past is past... Why dwell on that? I blame myself for not being the player I could have become from 2003... Till 2007 or so, I would blame everybody except myself for my failures, which wasn't the way to learn from mistakes... I began improving when I realised it was time I looked at the mirror and analysed my shortcomings... Uske baad mera career improve hone laga. To improve, one must be self-critical... I wasn't mentally or technically that strong in the early years of my Pakistan career. Early on, I never quite accepted my failures... Was happy blaming others... Perhaps, it was all destined that way.

What brought about that realisation?

No one incident or one performance... When life gives you the hard blows, the realisation comes on its own... Kisi ko kuch bolna nahin parta... I'm aware that a lot of people had written me off, but I was able to prove them wrong. I took it as a challenge and, today, you're interviewing me. My advice would be: Accept the reality and move forward.

Currently, you are banned from bowling off-spin... Has it been hard to accept?

I have a few points to make... If my action is illegal, then it must have been illegal from 2003... Mujhe samajh me nahin aata ... If there are guidelines, then every bowler should be tested and allowed to bowl after being certified as clean. I'm totally against this business of picking and choosing bowlers.

You've been a regular across formats for some years now... Is success guaranteed?

( Smiles) Never... But, if you follow the processes, put in the long hours, you will be rewarded. It's so rightly said that you reap exactly what you sow.

Lastly... Initially, you weren't comfortable having Mohammed Aamir in your midst... Your stand was applauded by many across the fraternity...

Jo guzar gaya, woh guzar gaya ... My stand was on principles I cherish... However, once a player wears the Pakistan shirt, he gets my support, my affection. I don't frame policies, so it's not for me to comment further.