A pair in the first Test in Chittagong had put Wasim Jaffer under pressure, but the Mumbaikar came back in the best possible way, scoring an unbeaten hundred on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Friday. Jaffer said he was determined to get a good score after those two ill-fated outings.
"It is always nice to get a hundred in Test cricket; especially to come back and get one after a pair," Jaffer said here on Friday. "I am always determined no matter what the result is. I was that extra bit determined today after getting that pair. Obviously getting a pair is not a nice feeling. I am very happy that my determination paid off," he added.
On him not taking the first strike, Jaffer said, "Message from the dressing room for me was to get a hundred. I told Kaarthick to take the strike to get a bit relieved."
Jaffer also said he was happy with the support the team management had extended to him. "I am delighted that team management was behind me. They backed me after the first Test and if their backing was not there I would not have been playing this game and get this result."
He also gave credit to cricket manager Ravi Shastri for the day's knock. "Shastri was telling me to be more positive in mind; that do not worry about the past as such things happen to everybody. Openers will have to play the new ball and that too when the conditions are tough. You have to just go there and give your best."
Jaffer and Kaarthick shared a 175-run opening wicket partnership before the latter had to return to the pavilion due to cramps. This was the second hundred-run alliance the duo forged with the first being against South Africa in Cape Town. About their successful combination at the pole position, Jaffer said, "Dinesh and me are opening for the last three Tests and we got a hundred partnership in Cape Town. We are good friends and it helps when you bat together."
About the playing conditions, he said, "Playing or not playing (in such conditions) is not in my hands; it is up to the BCCI or Bangladesh Cricket Board to decide to play when and where. But obviously conditions are tough as you can see. I and Kaarthick had to come back due to cramps. But conditions are same for both the teams."