JOIN USBack in the spotlight after his awe-inspiring knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad, swashbuckling KKR batsman Yusuf Pathan attributed his success to team’s bowling coach Wasim Akram for his useful tips on understanding the psyche of opposition bowlers.
Yusuf, who smashed a scintillating 22-ball 72 to power Kolkata Knight Riders to finish second in the league table, said he “never went out of business” and was just “a little unlucky” as all cricketers go through a lean patch.
Thanking his bowling coach, Yusuf said “Wasim Bhai is a great inspiration and he has a lot of good advice from all his experience that any player can learn from.
He has helped me with the mental preparation and understanding a bowler’s mindset to the game,” said Pathan.
Needing 161 in under 15 overs to book a second spot ahead of the play-offs, Yusuf struck four fours and seven sixes to put KKR behind Kings XI Punjab.
Yusuf, 31, described the effort as his best IPL knock, owing to the cirsumstances going into the match and also the value of the result to KKR.
Struggling to strike form in this season, the Indian discard showed glimpses of his lost touch in the last few games.
In the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the KKR batsman played a blinder and was severe on South African quick Dale Steyn — hitting the pacer for three fours and two sixes in one over.
The elder of the Pathan brothers however denied targeting any particular bowler.”