Pathan vs Pathan ploy worked, says Dhoni

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni heaped praise on Irfan Pathan saying it was a ploy to open with him to silence Shahid Afridi8217;s blazing blade. Dhoni was all smiles when he said at the post-match press conference how the team management had planned not to allow Afridi to fire on all cylinders. 8220;We knew they would check the record book and field Afridi as an opener. So we decided to give the new ball to Irfan. He8217;s among the more accurate bowlers and he proved it today,8221; Dhoni said.

Dhoni, however, insisted that though Butt was going great guns, at no stage did he fear about losing the match. 8220;In fact, I never really thought they came close to winning. The pitch was on the slower side, the ball was not coming to the bat, the wicket was assisting the spinners and Bhajji was bowling so well. It was very difficult to score off him. Zak Zaheer also bowled well and there really was no stage when I would fear that the match was slipping from us,8221; he said.

And he admitted that Yuvraj8217;s compact innings had its effect in India posting a huge total.

Rival skipper Shoaib Malik said that dropping Yuvraj Singh early in his innings and letting him forge a century stand with Mahendra Singh Dhoni cost Pakistan the match.