Looking forward to deliver well for Kolkata Knight Riders: Yusuf Pathan

Hardhitting Indian batsman Yusuf Pathan was a mighty pleased man when his side Baroda defeated Karnataka in the knockout match of Vijay Hazare trophy recently. Karnataka was undefeated coming into the match but were surely outplayed by Baroda who came up with a clinical performance. After the match, the senior Pathan had a conversation with the Indian Express in which he spoke at length about the team’s performance, his batting form and his plans for the upcoming edition of the IPL.

Yusuf Pathan remarked that the team did exceptionally well to beat a strong unit like Karnataka and thereby entering the semis. He credited the bowlers, including his younger brother Irfan Pathan, for keeping things tight in the match.

“Robin Uthappa and Mayank Agarwal gave them a substantial start. With 60-70 runs in first 10 overs, we could feel the heat. But the way Lukman Meriwala and Atit Seth bowled and provided us the breakthroughs it helped us come back in the game. Also, much credit goes to Irfan for keeping things tight and regulating the bowlers,” said Pathan.

“In the end it feels good to beat a team like Karnataka, especially when their side has players like Robin, Manish Pandey, Vinay Kumar and Stuart Binny. The way Kedar (78), Krunal (70) and Deepak batted that was exceptional. Now everybody needs to give their best in the upcoming matches,” Yusuf added further.

Earlier this year, there were news about Yusuf playing in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz. However, the board refused to give the NOC and hence his participation in the tournament was withdrawn. Reflecting on the missed chance, the Baroda batsman had no regrets and said that the entire scene is a part of the past now.

“I have no regrets of being denied to participate in the Hong Kong Blitz. It is a part of past now and we should stop thinking about it. Let’s not think more of it as I am concentrating on future now. With so many tournaments coming up in India, one does not have to focus on foreign tournaments,” quoted Yusuf Pathan.

Lastly, he expressed that he wishes to excel for his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders this year. He noted that he missed a few games this domestic season but has started getting in the right groove now. He knows that match practice is the best way to improve.

“I missed couple of games in the starting, however I have managed to get some runs under my bat. I think match practice is the best way to improve ones fitness. I have been a part of Kolkata Knight Riders for a long time and I look forward to deliver for them,” he conceded.