Mohammed Kaif said he would rate his unbeaten 87 at the Lord's in the NatWest trophy finalagainst England two months ago higher than his match-winning century at the Premadasa Stadium here this evening againstZimbabwe.
"I would say Lord's was my best. It was under different conditions. England were playing at home and beating themthere is a difficult task," Kaif told reporters after India's narrow 14 run win against Zimbabwe in a Group B match here.
The 21-year-old former captain of the Indian under-19 World Cup winning team said India were under pressure andchasing a stiff target in the NatWest final, which they eventually won by two wickets. "I'm quite happy that I couldplay the same job (as the NatWest final) today."
Advertisement
"It was a good wicket to bat on," Kaif said about his unbeaten 111 that pulled India out of the woods from aprecarious 87 for five to a healthy 288 for 6.
He said playing at number five was always a tough task as he would always get fewer overs to play or be in the midst ofa tight situation by coming in at that position.
"It's a matter of how to prepare oneself to play there," he said, explaining that he had been practising at the netswith his position in the batting order in mind.
Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said Kaif played a very composed innings and ran his singles well. In the company ofRahul Dravid, he had given India a perfect platform and "a cushion of runs" to bowl with.
Advertisement
"They played sensible cricket, but we also didn't put much pressure, bowled short and gave some width," he added.
PTI
