Bengaluru, Dec 7: Yusuf Pathan butchered New Zealand with an outstanding innings of 123 runs to enable India post a 5 wicket win over New Zealand in the 4th One Day International and take a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.

The hard-hitting batsman described his knock as ‘special’ and admitted that it could be the turning point in his career as he looks to cement his place in the one day outfit.

Excerpts:

On how special was his innings

Mashallah very good innings for me and I think this is the turning point of my life and my career.

On his knock of 123 off 96

Obviously, it is very special for me and whenever I have played any good innings it has been special and this one too is special.

On his partnership with Saurabh Tiwary

We discussed that we need to take the game close. We did a good job in the end and Saurabh played a good knock.

On his strategy

Obviously, we needed some runs on the board as it was a deep [big] target for us. The ball was coming onto the bat very well but I was controlling myself.

On the discussion between him and Rohit Sharma

When I and Rohit [Sharma] were batting we decided that whatever be the situation we will bat 50 overs. And whoever stays will take the game away from New Zealand. We were very confident at that time but Rohit got out and Saurabh came in the middle. We continued with the same strategy.