West Indies' Marlon Samuels (left) plays a shot off Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Multan yesterday. Samuels scored a century off 99 balls to lead the West Indies to a 7-wicket victory. Pakistan lead the 5-match series 2-1 December 13, 2006. /Mian Khursheed (PAKISTAN) - reuters

multan, pakistan

Marlon Samuels scored a sizzling unbeaten 100 propelling the West Indies to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the fourth one-day-international in Multan yesterday.

Pakistan, who won the toss and elected to bat, were bundled out for 209 in 49.5 overs and the West Indies, inspired by Samuels, cruised to 212-3 (34.5 overs).

Samuels, whose only previous century came four years ago against India at Vijaywada, had not passed 50 in a one-day innings since 2003.

He struck a six and 17 fours in his 100 not out off 99 balls as the West Indies won with 15 overs to spare.

Samuels, one of the most talented and gifted players around, said he considers his inning a special knock and is relieved to get the opportunity to bat early in the innings.

Following are comments from Samuels on the evening after the game and just before the team departed Multan for Karachi where the final ODI will be played on Saturday.

On whether scoring his second one-day-international century was a big relief:

The big relief was not scoring the hundred but it is that I have been getting the opportunity to bat at four now. I'm just trying to make the best use of it right now.

On whether he would like to remain at number four in the batting order:

I don't have a problem batting anywhere in the order, it's what the team requires at the time. I don't mind going out there and trying to pull off games, especially when the situation gets tight but most of the time you fail more than succeed at number seven. At number three or four where I have been batting for Jamaica, you get to assess the situation and it's always good for a batsman to assess the situation and know what the pitch is doing and know what shots to play and what shots not to play.

On whether he was always confident even after having a challenging period with the bat:

I'm always confident even though I wasn't getting any runs down the order in the last couple of innings especially in ICC Champions Trophy and the DLF Cup in Malaysia, but I back myself in the field and when bowling. I was just waiting for the opportunity to get an early knock to use up the confidence I have in the field.

On whether he agree that his 99-ball century was a special innings:

It's a special knock because of the situation and because to still be there at the end as the team pulls it off. It was a special team effort and it's a lovely feeling to play an innings like that.

On what he would like to see for himself moving forward:

I'd like to continue to get the opportunity to bat early and my confidence will continue to grow from strength to strength and I'll definite continue to use these opportunities and make good use of it.

On whether he thinks his bowling is important to his game:

My bowling is very important to me, it is lovely to know you do three things on a cricket field. It is difficult to stay out of the game that way. My bowling is in good form, my fielding as well is in good form and I was just waiting for my batting to come back.

On focusing on the World Cup in 2007:

We've been playing very good (one-day-international) cricket as a team this year and the team spirit is high, we have a few games against India before the World Cup, so we will look to win those games, prepare properly and go to Sabina Park in Jamaica, and start the first game against Pakistan on a high.