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I should have stayed on, says Jaffer

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S. Subramanium

GOOD KNOCK: Wasim Jaffer gave India a good start, but was disappointed that he didn’t finish off the job.

NEW DELHI: Wasim Jaffer wanted to stay a little longer at the crease and possibly finish the job.

Even after helping the team’s cause well, the opener sounded a tinge disappointed on losing out on a big innings. But the prospect of India’s impending victory made him smile and speak with confidence.

“I think, once we got Pakistan out early this morning, the target of 203 was well within reach, considering our batting line-up,” said Jaffer at the media conference here on Sunday.

Crucial strikes

He chose to pick Sourav Ganguly’s over, that saw the dismissals of Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Sami, as the big one for India.

He said the team never looked at chasing the runs in a hurry in order to finish the match on Sunday itself. “Anil (Kumble) said to me at the start of the innings to stay positive and play my natural game. I am sad that I could not stay longer,” said Jaffer.

The soft-spoken batsman was also quick to sympathise with fellow-opener Dinesh Karthik.

“He played so well in England and we had a few good partnerships. He may not have done well in this Test but needs to be given all the confidence for the matches ahead. I am sure he’ll be back among the runs soon.”

Earlier, Pakistan’s debutant all-rounder Sohail Tanvir admitted that once Pakistan lost early wickets in the pre-lunch session, the match turned in India’s favour.

“I think the wickets of Kamran Akmal and mine made the difference,” Tanvir said.

‘Not yet over’

He said the “match is not yet over” and defended Misbah-ul-Haq’s shot that cost him his wicket. “It is not fair to say that Misbah gets out at crucial times for Pakistan. Misbah was looking for runs and therefore he was fully justified in attempting the shot,” he said.

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