00:02Now that the ODI series is over, the Westinies are hoping for better results in the 5T20
00:07internationals against home team India. Left arm spinner Akeel Hossein is a regular member
00:12of the Windy squad when it comes to the shortest format. For him, the objective is to analyze
00:17the situation game by game as the series progresses.
00:21I think for me, yes it's 5T20s and for me it's just about trying to do whatever the
00:28team requires. 5T20s mean if you're playing in every one, the opposition can plan better
00:32for you each time. So he's always trying to stay one step ahead of the batter, trying to
00:37be as clever as possible and just trying to get the job done for the team. I think that's
00:41my general game plan.
00:43Even though the Westinies have not had the better of the exchanges against India in T20
00:47cricket, Hossein is not too concerned about that. In fact, he says the men in Maroon should
00:52not be taken lightly going into the series.
00:54Even when we played in the World Cup, we gave them a hell of a run. And they know the
01:00fear
01:01that we bring to T20 cricket. They know the brand that we play. And they know we're not
01:05going to back down as well. Yes, we know they're a dangerous team, but we're not going to back
01:08down as well. So, you know, both sides, I would think both teams are looking forward
01:12to the challenge. And like I said, it's just about who plans the best and who executes
01:17the best. And that's all, you know, that's all we are going to do. That's all we're going
01:21to focus on. The 33-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago has played 40 ODIs, but far more
01:27T20 internationals. In fact, Hossein has 99 matches under his belt, which means he can
01:33reach triple figures should he play in Tuesday's T20 in Lucknow. So what does it mean to Hossein
01:39to reach thus far? It's an achievement in itself. It shows that you're dedicated, you're hungry.
01:45And it also shows that your performances has been up to par as well. So it's a good achievement.
01:51It's something to look back and smile on. And who knows if I can make 100 more. It's motivation
01:57to continue and to try and push and see how many games you can play. I think when you start
02:02understanding how many games a player is playing, it definitely shows that, you know, he's doing
02:06something well and he's performing consistently as well. So that's always a challenge for me,
02:11always trying to perform and help my team win cricket games.
02:15The T20 series between the two sides ends on October 17th with a last match taking place
02:21in Bengaluru. Vinod Nawani, Chiefs Export.
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