I was determined to back the pair with a big one: Jaffer

Dhaka, May 25 (UNI) Elated at notching up his third Test ton after the pair at Chittagong, Wasim Jaffer said he was determined to reach the three-digit mark here.

Talking to the media after retiring hurt, following dehydration and nausea, Jaffer said, ''It is nice to get a hundred in Test cricket, especially to come back and get one after a pair.'' ''I am always determined no matter what the result is. I was that extra bit determined after getting that pair. Obviously getting a pair is not a nice feeling. I was determined to get a good score and I am very happy,'' he added.

Jaffer retired on 138 after completing a brilliant ton.

Asked about selectors showing faith in him after the pair, he said, ''Playing or not playing (in such conditions) is not in my hands. It is up to the BCCI or Bangladesh Cricket Board to decide to play when and where.

''But obviously conditions are tough as you can see. Me and Kaarthick had to come back due to cramps. But conditions are same for both the teams.'' What was the message from inside? ''Internal message was to get a hundred. I told Kaarthick to take the strike,'' he added.

''I am delighted that team management was behind me. They backed me after the first Test and if thier backing was not there I would not have been playing this game and get this result,'' he said.

The Mumbaikar known for his talent and consistency, had hit a ton in Cape Town and a double hundred against West Indies last year.

He said it was good to open with Kaarthick. ''Dinesh and me are opening for the last three Tests and we got a hundred partnership in Cape Town. We are good friends and it helps when you bat together,'' he said.

Whether Ravi Shastri advised him after the pair at Chittagoing, ''Ravi Shastri was telling me to be more positive in mind. He told me not to worry about the past as such things happened to everybody.'' Ravi told me, ''Openers will have to play the new ball and that too when the conditions are tough. You have to just go there and give your best.'' On the wicket, ''Wickets are not supporting Bangladesh bowlers, but they were trying their best.'' ''The condition was so tough that I had to come back to the pavilion. I had scored couple of double hundreds before, but this is the first time I am returning without getting out, conditions are really tough,'' he concluded.

UNI