'I appreciate everything the team did for me'
Younis Khan's place in the team was in doubt after his woeful performance at Mohali
Anand Vasu in Kolkata
17-Mar-2005
Younis Khan's place in the team was in doubt after his woeful performance at Mohali. The team-management kept their faith in him, and he repaid them with a magnificent century. Here's what he had to say after close of play on the second day at Kolkata:
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On whether he was under pressure coming into this game
There is no doubt I was under pressure coming into this game. That pressure had nothing to do with being made the vice-captain. After all, I am only the deputy, and I am not even sure if a captain is under pressure because he is leading the side. There was pressure because I didn't bat well or catch and field well in the first Test. I just decided to go out with a positive outlook. I wanted to enjoy myself out in the middle, and so I courted success today - as simple as that.
There is no doubt I was under pressure coming into this game. That pressure had nothing to do with being made the vice-captain. After all, I am only the deputy, and I am not even sure if a captain is under pressure because he is leading the side. There was pressure because I didn't bat well or catch and field well in the first Test. I just decided to go out with a positive outlook. I wanted to enjoy myself out in the middle, and so I courted success today - as simple as that.
On being backed by his team
That's what pleased and touched me no end. Everyone in the team backed me, and a day before the Test here, Inzamam sat me down and had a long chat. I appreciate everything the team did for me, and in return, I wanted to make sure that I did not let them down. That I have managed to repay them for the faith they showed in me is my most important achievement today.
That's what pleased and touched me no end. Everyone in the team backed me, and a day before the Test here, Inzamam sat me down and had a long chat. I appreciate everything the team did for me, and in return, I wanted to make sure that I did not let them down. That I have managed to repay them for the faith they showed in me is my most important achievement today.
On whether he has made any technical changes from Mohali to
now
A little bit, nothing too much. I am the same Younis who played the first Test. A lot of people have said in the past that I bat very slowly, but I have always played positively. In this innings, I wanted to bat out the whole day, wanted to spend time in the middle, and at the end of the day, that helped.
A little bit, nothing too much. I am the same Younis who played the first Test. A lot of people have said in the past that I bat very slowly, but I have always played positively. In this innings, I wanted to bat out the whole day, wanted to spend time in the middle, and at the end of the day, that helped.
On running singles with Youhana
Yousuf and I are not like Sehwag or Afridi who can blast the bowlers around. We look for singles all the time. Afridi got us off to a great start today, and we kept looking for singles even if we played good balls in the gap, so the run-rate was up right through. We just made sure we carried on from where Afridi's short knock put us.
Yousuf and I are not like Sehwag or Afridi who can blast the bowlers around. We look for singles all the time. Afridi got us off to a great start today, and we kept looking for singles even if we played good balls in the gap, so the run-rate was up right through. We just made sure we carried on from where Afridi's short knock put us.
On whether Pakistan are on top
It's a little too early for that. We have had only two days' play, and everything will depend on how things go tomorrow. If we can bat out the whole day and snatch a lead of between 150 and 200, we will definitely be well placed. At the moment, though, it is 50-50.
It's a little too early for that. We have had only two days' play, and everything will depend on how things go tomorrow. If we can bat out the whole day and snatch a lead of between 150 and 200, we will definitely be well placed. At the moment, though, it is 50-50.
Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo.