Younus plays down expectations

Younus plays down expectations

Younus Khan was quietly pleased with the manner in which his Pakistan side overcame India in the Champions Trophy.

However, he warned there is still a long way to go if they are to have any hope of lifting the title on October 5.

Shoaib Malik was named man of the match after his century helped turn over their Asian rivals at Supersport Park in what turned out to be a comfortable 54-run win.

Malik ton helps Pak see off India

The all-rounder made 128 in a massive 206-run partnership with Mohammad Yousuf (87) - a tournament record for any wicket - to help their side set a daunting 303 for victory.

In reply, the Indians were well ahead of the asking rate for at least 35 overs thanks to half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir (57) and Rahul Dravid (76) but they lost their way and eventually finished on 248 all out with 5.1 overs remaining.

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Younus was happy with the manner of the victory, their second in Group A, saying they will now turn their attentions towards Wednesday's opponents Australia as they bid to make the most of destiny being in their own hands.

"Actually, it's still too early to say," he said when asked about winning the tournament. "We are looking forward to the Australia game.

"We just wanted to make sure this time that we don't rely on other results. We want to go through clean (by winning all our games). It's my wish but for now we will worry about the Australia game."

"It was a good toss to win"

It was a good all-round display from the World Twenty20 champions and it left the skipper pleased, especially with the display of Malik and Yousuf.

He continued: "It was a professional performance. It was a good toss to win. In the conditions I thought that 260 or 270 (would be good enough) because, under lights, it is not easy to chase.

"We had a good start. Fantastic knocks from Yousuf and Malik. I thought we would reach 320 in the end but we didn't hit too many runs in the last powerplay.

"The boys were very keen. We are still hungry. If we can defeat Australia in the next game, it would be nice."

Malik, whose hundred was his seventh in one-day internationals, said: "The hundred was important but what is more important is when the team wins.

"That's what makes me happy and right now I am very happy because we won this match. I just want to carry my form now and I want to score more runs for the team."

We gave away too many runs, says Dhoni

India captain MS Dhoni felt his side should have done better considering the start given to them by the batsmen.

He said: "I think we got off to an excellent start even though we lost (Sachin) Tendulkar.

"Gautam and Rahul, they gave us a very good start, but we didn't capitalise on that, we lost wickets in quick succession.

"When you're chasing a total like 300, you always have to be at your best, and if you lose wickets in quick succession, it becomes really tough to chase those runs."

And he admitted his bowlers' failure to adapt was also costly, adding: "We gave away too many runs. We bowled a bit short and, frankly speaking, I've never seen so many runs scored backward of point.

"It's about adapting to the conditions. You have to be smart at international cricket but it's done and dusted, we could have done a lot better."

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