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I had not planned my celebration, says Islamabad United's Hussain

Dubai - Hussain brilliantly constructed his innings to take Islamabad out of trouble

Any performance that pulls a team out of the woods has to be the best, reckons Hussain Talat, who fashioned Islamabad United's first win in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
"For me when your innings helps the team come out of trouble at any level, it could be for the national team or a club team, it has to be your best knock," Hussain, 22, said in reply to a question if his match-winning knock against Multan Sultans was his best.
Hussain brilliantly constructed his innings to take Islamabad out of trouble and added 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Faheem Ashraf.
"When I went in, things looked settled but then we lost two wickets(in two successive balls) and that brought pressure. So I thought I will play a long innings and selectively play my shots," he revealed at the post-match media briefing.
About his approach in the tricky chase of 114 runs for win, he said that it was important to mix aggression and caution. "To dominate I needed to play attacking game but when I missed a couple of shots I decided to a bit circumspect. But, after hitting Shoaib (Malik), my confidence level was up to go for my big shots."
When asked was he confident of pulling off the win, he said: "It is all about confidence. I have been with the team from first season and the manner in which the coaching staff and the team management infuse confidence is remarkable. That also helps players gain confidence and perform under pressure."
After hitting the winning boundary, Hussain pointed out at the back of his jersey and then removed his helmet and kissed the team logo. "I had not planned my celebration. I want to contribute for the team, for Islamabad United. The whole celebration was for the Islamabad United team," he explained.
He reposed confidence in stand-in captain Rumman Raees. " I Have been playing with Rumman (Raees) in domestic tournaments, he has been with the team for three years and he is doing well." He also added: "We need to do well in the absence of Misbahbhai (Misbah-ul-Haq)."
Before Hussain took charge for Islamabad, South African tweaker Imran Tahir rattled the United team with two wickets in two balls by removing Asif Ali and Andre Russell to reduce Islamabad to 63 for 5. And, the leg spinner performed his customary run around the ground to celebrate each wicket.
"No particular reason for my celebrations," he said when asked if there was any reason by running for so long after taking a wicket.
"I think every game is very important for me. I have worked very hard for where I am therefore I must respect (the game). I believe that if I respect the game, I will get respect. I don't take it for granted," he added while explaining that he celebrates his wickets in same manner at every level of competition.
He gave credit to Islamabad for bowling well to exploit conditions that were in their favour after winning the toss. "Good toss to win for them," he said.
"At the end of game, we fought well and that is good for the team going forward in the competition," he believes.
Terming West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard's wicket as a turning point he said: "Pollard was the key wickets. If Pollard had stayed three more overs, it could have been a different story."
sunilvaidya@khaleejtimes.com