Middle-order batsman Yousuf Youhana has played down his rivalry with left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan which is likely to dominate the forthcoming Pakistan-India series.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no rivalry between Irfan and me but I can't say for him. Yes, he got me a few times when India were in Pakistan but that doesn't mean that the forthcoming series will be a tussle between Yousuf and Irfan," said the Pakistan vice-captain from Lahore.
Youhana became Pathan's bunny last year when the left-armer had the stylish batsman thrice in five one-day internationals, once in Peshawar and twice in Lahore. Later, in two of the five Test innings, Youhana fell to Pathan in the second innings at Multan after hitting 112 and in the second innings in Rawalpindi after scoring 13.
"Like any committed cricketer, Irfan likes to take wickets while I try to make runs. That's our job. Sometimes Irfan will succeed and sometimes I will dominate. I think it should be kept this way instead of labeling the series as a battle between Youhana and Pathan," said the player who averages 47.47 in 56 Tests and 42.19 in 189 one-dayers.
Youhana felt Abdul Razzaq has recently had Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar on more regular basis while Saqlain Mushtaq, during his playing days, made many cricketer his bunny.
"Irfan troubled me with his inswingers because he was in good form (in Pakistan) and the conditions were also in favour of his type of bowlers. But the coming series will be a new series, will be played under different conditions and with SG balls. So I would like to leave it right here," Youhana, who has scored 420 runs in six Tests and 682 runs in 20 one-day internationals against India, said.
On the forthcoming series, Youhana felt India were favourites because they had a balanced, experienced and a mature team.
"If you compare player-to-player, you will find that India has a very experienced team. And naturally recent victories have given them more confidence and self-belief.
"But we have won four straight matches against India and that too by big margins in one-sided contests. So that gives us the advantage. The tour of India will be difficult as always but I believe that the team playing better cricket on those playing days will emerge winners," Youhana said.
Youhana, looking back at the 1999 tour, said he had just stepped into international cricket and was "lost" in the company of legends like Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik.
"In those days, I was in a different orbit -- playing with these stalwarts was like a dream come true. But now, I feel I have the same role as they had on that tour -- lead from the front and by example. Inzamam-ul-Haq and I are the senior-most players and have to shoulder most of the responsibility but the youngsters cannot be absolved of their responsibilities", Youhana said.
"Cricket is a team game in which everyone is expected to perform or contribute. There will be one or two major innings or bowling spells but rest of the players will have to rally around those performances and make useful contributions to earn domination in the match," he said.
Youhana dismissed suggestions that Pakistan would be looking to avenge their last year' defeat in Pakistan.
"It's just a sport and we would like to keep it that way but yes, we would like to win all the eight international matches and we think we have a realistic chance of doing that."
He also hoped that Sania, who was accompanied by her parents and younger sister Anam, would bring more laurels for
her family and the country in future.
