Wish to get rid of T20 specialist tag: Yusuf

Pathan's unbeaten 210, his maiden double century, helped West overhaul a mammoth 536-run target, a feat never achieved before while chasing in world cricket, and the Baroda batsman termed the knock his best ever.

"Definitely it is the best innings of my career so far and I scored a hundred in the first innings as well. I had played a 187-run knock in first class cricket before and also took 10 wickets in the same. I hope this Twenty20 specialist tag goes out now," said Yusuf.

Pathan is baffled how the tag got attached to his name when he has performed well enough in the four-day games in domestic cricket. "I don't know why this Twenty20 tag is there with my name? We play four-day matches in first class cricket. Although there are 50-50 and Twenty20 games in first class cricket but Ranji and Duleep Trophy are long format games," he said.

Yusuf, a prominent member of the inaugural Indian Premier League winners Rajasthan Royals, last played an ODI for India in September last year.

The Baroda batsman conceded that being out of the national team hurts and making a comeback is difficult. "You feel bad when you get dropped. So I focus on my performance, it's our job to impress selectors. There is stiff competition for every place in the team as there is lot of talent around," he said.

"I will be playing Deodhar Trophy next and there are a few Twenty20 matches. I want to continue this good performance and attract selectors," he added.

Talking about the recent ball tampering incident involving all rounder Shahid Afridi, Yusuf said he had no clue about Pakistani all-rounder's claim that all teams indulge in it.

"I don't know why he said so. I can't say anything about that since I have not seen anyone biting the ball like that. I have not seen anything like that in international cricket," he said.