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Job not finished yet: Younis

Source:PTI
January 13, 2006 20:30 IST

India's tormentor Younis Khan says his job is not finished with a century and he wants to put Pakistan in a position from where it can dictate terms to the archrivals in the first Test.

"It has been a good day for batting and I am glad to make full use of the conditions. Of course it is a nice feeling to be back among runs after a lean series against England, but my job is still not over," Younis said after his unbeaten 147 on the opening day of the first Test.

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"I need to bat as long as possible so that we can reach a position from where we can dictate terms."

It was Younis Khan's third century against India, the batsman having accumulated 508 runs in India last year.

"It is not a special century. It is neither my first nor, hopefully, my last. I understand that batting has been a little easy but my objective was not to slow down the proceedings and keep the scoreboard ticking with ones and twos.

"We are in a good position because we have managed to save wickets. There has been talk about the friendly nature of the pitch because we are just two wickets down but probably not many questions would had been asked if we had lost four or five wickets," Younis said.

His team, he said, would now like to build a couple of more big partnerships in the match.

"The key had been the second and third wicket partnerships. And if we succeed in building a couple of more big partnerships, we will certainly be in a strong position. Cricket is all about building partnerships and we have succeeded in doing that today."

Younis said the Indian bowlers tried there best but it was Pakistan's day.

"It would be unjustified to say that the Indians bowled poorly. I think they gave their best but it was Pakistan's day. These are the same Indian bowlers who bowled their team to victory against South Africa and Sri Lanka."

Younis said he was advised by coach Bob Woolmer to play Anil Kumble as a leg-spin in-swinging bowler.

"After the first Test in India (at Mohali), I was advised by Bob to play Anil (Kumble) as leg-spin in swinging bowler and that helped me a lot. I defensively played the deliveries that pitched up and waited for the loose balls to punish." Younis emphasised that the Lahore track was no different from other modern-day wickets and added that he had struggled for runs against England on similar surfaces.

"Cricket is a funny game. Against England, I managed 80-odd runs in the one-dayers and today I am unbeaten on 147."

Younis said the current Pakistani team does not rely on individual brilliance.

"This team believes in even contributions instead of personal achievements. I enjoy batting with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf because they are quick between the wickets."

Younis attributed his return to form to the support and backing of his teammates.

"I was backed and supported all the way by the team management. And it's because we care for each other and there is lot of unity and harmony in the team.

"When I was struggling against England, the team provided me the comfort cushion that every batsman requires at that time and for that I am thankful to my team. "

Source: PTI
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