NEW DELHI: India, reeling at 115 for 7, were under tremendous pressure in the Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
All looked lost but the Pathan brothers - Yusuf and Irfan - had other ideas. They shared an explosive, unbeaten 59-run stand for the eighth wicket to take India home.
Naturally, the thrill of those heady minutes was fresh in their minds as the brothers touched down in the country on Wednesday. "It was a close match for sure, but we knew we could do it for the country," Yusuf told TOI.
"Our strategy was to play our natural games, which was that while Irfan would stay at the crease I would do all the hitting. But later, Irfan began getting more strike and we changed roles. He started hitting out to put pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers. Fortunately, our gameplan clicked."
"Ifran also told me that if he got out, I had to win it for the team. I'm glad that we did it together for India and my family was ecstatic," Yusuf said.
For Irfan, obviously, it was a memorable outing. "A situation where we two are battling together for India will come again in the future. I hope we can do it again," said the younger brother.
About his breathtaking hitting at the death which came as a pleasant surprise to many, Irfan said, "I never doubted my ability to hit those runs, but I don't get this kind of an opportunity always. I was also helped by Yusuf whose presence gave me a lot of confidence."
Pathan had dropped T Dilshan early in the game, but that only pumped him up, and raised his game. "It happens in a match. I told myself that I had to give more than 100 per cent for the team to make up for the dropped catch. God is great and in end, we won," Ifran said.
Will this performance help his bowling too? "I'm sure it will. But I am happy with my effort on Tuesday. I got Sanath Jayasuriya out for the third straight time," Irfan said.
How does he look at his elder brother's ability to finish games? "Yusuf is a special talent in this regard. He keeps his cool when the chips are down and going gets tough." Yusuf also complemented his captain MS Dhoni, coach Gary Kirsten and the support staff for their role in his success.
"I'm grateful to my family. Pressure will always be there when you take the field but you need the encouragement and backing of your team and family to come out a winner."
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Specials/India_in_Sri_Lanka/News/Yusufs_presence_gave_me_lot_of_confidence_Irfan/articleshow/4115093.cms
All looked lost but the Pathan brothers - Yusuf and Irfan - had other ideas. They shared an explosive, unbeaten 59-run stand for the eighth wicket to take India home.
Naturally, the thrill of those heady minutes was fresh in their minds as the brothers touched down in the country on Wednesday. "It was a close match for sure, but we knew we could do it for the country," Yusuf told TOI.
"Our strategy was to play our natural games, which was that while Irfan would stay at the crease I would do all the hitting. But later, Irfan began getting more strike and we changed roles. He started hitting out to put pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers. Fortunately, our gameplan clicked."
"Ifran also told me that if he got out, I had to win it for the team. I'm glad that we did it together for India and my family was ecstatic," Yusuf said.
For Irfan, obviously, it was a memorable outing. "A situation where we two are battling together for India will come again in the future. I hope we can do it again," said the younger brother.
About his breathtaking hitting at the death which came as a pleasant surprise to many, Irfan said, "I never doubted my ability to hit those runs, but I don't get this kind of an opportunity always. I was also helped by Yusuf whose presence gave me a lot of confidence."
Pathan had dropped T Dilshan early in the game, but that only pumped him up, and raised his game. "It happens in a match. I told myself that I had to give more than 100 per cent for the team to make up for the dropped catch. God is great and in end, we won," Ifran said.
Will this performance help his bowling too? "I'm sure it will. But I am happy with my effort on Tuesday. I got Sanath Jayasuriya out for the third straight time," Irfan said.
How does he look at his elder brother's ability to finish games? "Yusuf is a special talent in this regard. He keeps his cool when the chips are down and going gets tough." Yusuf also complemented his captain MS Dhoni, coach Gary Kirsten and the support staff for their role in his success.
"I'm grateful to my family. Pressure will always be there when you take the field but you need the encouragement and backing of your team and family to come out a winner."
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Specials/India_in_Sri_Lanka/News/Yusufs_presence_gave_me_lot_of_confidence_Irfan/articleshow/4115093.cms
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