By Qaiser Mohammad Ali
Bangalore, Dec 9 (IANS) Irfan Pathan, after scoring his maiden century in the third Test against Pakistan here Sunday, said he had never imagined he would score a Test hundred.
“Ever since I have comeback into the India team, whether it is the Twenty20 or one-day internationals, I have been bowling and batting pretty well. But when it came to Test cricket, I never thought I would score a hundred,” Pathan told reporters after scoring 102 on the second day of the match.
“It is a great feeling, Masha Allah, to get my first Test hundred,” he said at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Pathan and Sourav Ganguly, who scored his first double century in Tests, enabled India to reach 626 in the first innings. In reply, Pakistan were 86 for one bat stumps.
This was left-hander Pathan’s second century in first-class cricket and on both the occasions he reached the mark with a six.
“Ishant (Sharma) played those four deliveries quite well. But then I thought that if I take a single, then there are chances that Ishant could get out from the other end. It is not that he would have got out for sure; I have to trust my partner as well,” he said.
“The spinner (Danish Kaneria) was bowling, so I had a go. When I scored my first class hundred then, too, I had brought it up with a six. I went for the six because it is better to be dismissed on 96 rather than be 96 not out. I went for it and luckily it clicked.”
Pathan said that the knock had boosted his morale.
“Obviously, it is a big confidence boost if you score your first Test hundred. It also helps in your bowling. Selection is not in my hand and I don’t worry about it,” he said.
“I didn’t even think that I would play the third Test. Whatever is destined for you it will happen no matter what, and you just need to work hard.”
Pathan came into the side only because of injuries to Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Rudra Pratap Singh.
“It is a great feeling to be back in the India team, no matter what the circumstances were. I am happy bowling and I was looking pretty good in my nine overs,” he said.
“Whenever I bowl or bat I want to be like the way I was when I first came into the team. The thrill was very much there and I want to continue with it.”