IPL 2018: Becoming the First Team to Qualify for the Playoffs is Special - Yusuf Pathan

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Yusuf Pathan said it is a special feeling to become the first team to qualify for the playoffs stages.  The Orange army has won nine matches out of the eleven they have played to secure their spot in the final four.

Consequently, the Hyderabad team is the most consistent team thus far in the 11th season of the tournament.

Kane Williamson-led team has ridden on the back of their potent bowling line-up. However, their batting line-up had also come to the fore in the last match against Delhi Daredevils.

“Becoming the first team to enter the playoffs this season is really special. We have done well in all the three departments so far. The most important thing for any team is how they perform under pressure and we have done that consistently this season by defending low scores and chasing big totals as well,” Yusuf Pathan told India Today.

Pathan gave credit to the captain of the ship for guiding his team to the shore. Williamson has used his bowlers with guile. Thus, the best bowling battery has delivered the goods in the season thus far.

“Our bowlers have done really well and the skipper (Kane Williamson) has used them so intelligently. Look at someone like Siddharth (Kaul) who has even been selected in the Indian team for the tour of England. In that game vs Delhi the other night, the way Rishabh Pant was batting, their score could’ve reached beyond 230 but we restricted them,” says Yusuf.

Pathan hadn’t played first-class cricket in the last season. The all-rounder believes the time off the game has helped him.

However, Yusuf has played a couple off handy knocks for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Thus, Pathan added the think tank is happy with his contributions.

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“That is benefitting me now. My teammates, my management is happy with whatever I have contributed to so far and that is what really matters to me. The match-winning ability and performing under pressure has been key for me this season too. I am happy and so is my coaching staff,” Yusuf went on add.

The power-hitter added age is just a number, and it doesn’t matter, as long as one is contributing to the success of the team. The 36-year old is doing a fine job thus far.

“Age is talked a lot about in India but nobody mentions much about it in Australia or England. It is given a lot of mileage here but till the time you are performing, winning matches for your team, helping the next generation, it doesn’t matter at all,” Pathan noted.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad has ticked the right boxes so far in the tournament. If there is one thing that Kane Williamson would be pulling his hair out for, it would be his bleak middle order.

Manish Pandey hasn’t fired at all cylinders, and the team management will like to see him regain his form before the imperative matches.

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