Discarded big-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan keen to return to Indian team

Rajkot: Expressing confidence over his return to national squad, Baroda skipper Yusuf Pathan today said he was working hard to achieve this goal.

"My focus is to play good cricket and I have done well with the bat this season. I know if I play good cricket then it would be better for me (to come back in Indian side)," said the 31-year-old.

Yusuf's Baroda will be playing Mumbai in West Zone One-day match for Vijay Hazare Trophy beginning here tomorrow.

"If I play good cricket then message would automatically reach to the concern people," said Pathan who last played an ODI for India against Pakistan in 2012.

On tomorrow's match, he said, "Every player of the team is in good form, which is a positive sign for the team."

"Everybody has been contributing well this season and tomorrow's match would be important match for us," Pathan said.

Yusuf said his younger brother, Irfan, is fit to bowl in tomorrow's match.

"Irfan is fully fit to bowl in tomorrow's match. Irfan is back from National Cricket Academy (NCA) and he would bowl in tomorrow's match," he said.