'We won't repeat Kolkata mistake'- Inzy
Inzamam-ul-Haq came to the press conference visibly tired after his 21stcentury, in his 100th Test match
Amit Varma in Bangalore
24-Mar-2005
Inzamam-ul-Haq came to the press conference visibly tired after his
21st
century, in his 100th Test match. He did not seem openly satisfied, though, and clearly felt that his job wasn't done yet. Here's what he had to say on the various issues on which he was asked to comment:
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On his innings
I'm happy with my performance. I played well, so did the team. We must use this opportunity to put up a big total on the board. A score of 500-plus will be a good target.
I'm happy with my performance. I played well, so did the team. We must use this opportunity to put up a big total on the board. A score of 500-plus will be a good target.
This was one of my best innings because of the circumstances. This is
a crucial Test, and I walked out to bat when the score was 7 for 2.
The team needed me to stay at the crease, and see out the new ball.
329 [his highest score] is far away, but I will try to add more runs
tomorrow.
On the pitch
It's a good pitch for batting. The bowlers will have to work very hard to take wickets. It was a good toss to win, because the pitch might help the spinners on the fourth and fifth days.
It's a good pitch for batting. The bowlers will have to work very hard to take wickets. It was a good toss to win, because the pitch might help the spinners on the fourth and fifth days.
On the conditions
It was very hot. I was cramping after tea, but the physio gave me some medicines and I recovered. It was very important to concentrate on every ball, because for a batsman, one ball is enough to get you out.
It was very hot. I was cramping after tea, but the physio gave me some medicines and I recovered. It was very important to concentrate on every ball, because for a batsman, one ball is enough to get you out.
On Younis Khan's innings
Younis played a better innings than me. This was his second century in two Tests, and the team needs this kind of consistency and responsibility.
Younis played a better innings than me. This was his second century in two Tests, and the team needs this kind of consistency and responsibility.
On the altercation between Younis and Harbhajan Singh
They were chatting.
They were chatting.
On the second day
We won't make the same mistake as we did in Kolkata. [Younis and Yousuf Youhana had made unbeaten centuries on the second day, but Pakistan had collapsed on the third.] We will carry on from here and put up a big score.
We won't make the same mistake as we did in Kolkata. [Younis and Yousuf Youhana had made unbeaten centuries on the second day, but Pakistan had collapsed on the third.] We will carry on from here and put up a big score.
Amit Varma is contributing editor of Cricinfo. He writes the
independent blogs, India
Uncut and The Middle
Stage.