Yusuf Pathan’s maiden ODI hundred became even special when it helped India cruise past the daunting target of 316 set by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in the fourth One Day International of the five-match series at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on Tuesday.
Although the home side was chasing an intimidating total and was five down at 188 but the swashbuckling all-rounder said he was confident about India’s victory all through his match-winning innings of 123 runs.
"Never at any stage did I feel we were going to lose the game. With Rohit Sharma and Saurabh Tiwary, I rotated the strike well. We spoke to each other throughout to maintain the run rate and stay in the chase," said the step brother of Indian
pacer Irfan Pathan.
Yusuf, followed his brilliant performance with the ball with a whirlwind 96-ball 123 not out to script a memorable five-wicket victory for a new-look http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 last night.
Yusuf came to the crease after Parthiv Patel’s dismissal in the 20th over with only 108 on the board. He said that it was the best chance for him to prove his worth by hitting a big score and he ably utilised the opportunity by
staying at the crease for the next 28 overs sharing two productive stands with Rohit Sharma and Saurabh Tiwary.
"I am very happy for my first century in ODIs and even happier because we won the match. The fact that we are leading 4-0 in the series gives me great pleasure," said the 28-year-old all-rounder. "There were a lot of overs for me to bat
and fortunately I prove myself. I sensed an opportunity this time that I can play a long innings," he said.
Sharma shared an 80-run stand with Pathan before he holed out in the 33rd over when he tried to hit Tim Southee’s slow delivery through the mid-off but mistimed as the ball landed safely in Vettori’s hands to leave the hosts 188
for 5. Sharma ran short of just six runs to complete his sixth ODI fifty.
Sharma’s departure brought Saurabh Tiwary to the crease and in partnership with fluent Pathan, the duo shared match-winning partnership of worth 133 runs as India cruised past the daunting target with seven balls remaining.
The belligerent knock and 3 for 49 bowling stats earned Yusuf the man of the match award. Pathan dedicated his match-winning maiden ton to his parents and his half-brother http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601, the out-of-favour Indian pacer who was sitting in the
stadium to backup the all-rounder.
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