Cape Town, Jan 18: Part of the 15-member team selected for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011, Yusuf Pathan straightaway showed his significance to the side when picked for the third ODI against South Africa. On a pitch where batting seemed a laborious job, Pathan’s 59 runs looked like a walk in the park. Pathan was included in the playing XI on account of Sachin Tendulkar’s absence due to injury.

While speaking to the media after receiving the Man-of-the-Match award, the towering all-rounder shared his thoughts on the win.

Excerpts from the interview.

On receiving the Man-of-the-Match award again

Yeah, obviously [I’m happy]. [It’s a] good win for us.

On whether the century against New Zealand helped his confidence

Obviously that innings played a big role [in] my career and also [in boosting] my confidence. And I am very confident here [as well] that if I [am able to] hold myself […], then I can make it again.

On his thoughts while batting on an unfriendly pitch

Actually I was just looking [at] the ball and [thinking] that if I got [a ball that pitched in] my area, then I [would] go for it. And I have done [the] same thing.

On his partnership with Suresh Raina

Obviously [Suresh] Raina stayed there and Bhajji paa [Harbhajan Singh], Zaheer paa [Zaheer Khan] and Ashish [Nehra] finished the game [at the] end of the day.

On Morne Morkel’s catch that got him out

It was a brilliant catch. He’s got [the] height [for such catches]. He [was] bowling from the other end and he [also] got [the] catch.