PTI

New Delhi, May 10: Irfan Pathan on Wednesday said if he had reached the top of all-rounders' rankings it was because he never bothered to be there.

"I am the number three all-rounder in the world now. If it has happened, it's because I never thought about it," the Indian pace spearhead said.

"I don't believe in rankings and that has helped me perform well. So, I am going to continue that way, I don't want to think about the rankings."

Pathan is third in the ODI all-rounders' list, behind Shaun Pollock and Andrew Flintoff, and fourth after Flintoff, Jacques Kallis and Pollock in Tests in the ICC Players' rankings.

Pathan, here on a promotional visit, said he had a similar approach about talks of being the best all-rounder India has ever produced.

"I started as a bowler but even when I was playing first-class cricket and junior cricket, I have always enjoyed my batting. But I always say to myself, consider myself as a bowler (first)," said the 21-year-old Bardoa player.

"I want to be leading the fast bowling attack, give the team the breakthroughs early and whenever needed."

On the burnout issue, Pathan said "we are contracted to the BCCI, so whatever the BCCI schedule says, we have to play accordingly."

On the upcoming tour of the West Indies, Pathan said he was looking forward to his first visit to the Caribbean.

"It is going to be very important especially because this will be the first time I will be going there. Everything is going to be different over there to what I have seen so far," Pathan said.

"We are going to play the World Cup there next year, so we can have a taste of the conditions.

"The wickets, the culture, everything is going to be new to me. I want to have some fun as well. At the same time, it is going to be a good series, tough series, not easy."

The left-arm pacer, who has 89 wickets in 24 Tests and 102 scalps in 59 one-dayers, said giving his best in whatever he did was the simple way of balancing his batting and bowling responsibilities.

"I tell myself to give 100 per cent in whatever I do. When I am bowling, I tell myself that I have to give the team the breakthrough. It is the same when I am batting. It doesn't always (turn out) like that but I try my best."

Pathan wished he continued to perform the way he has done since making his debut in Australia in 2004.

"I am leading the attack now. I have contributed to the Indian team well in the last two years and have worked hard to reach where I am now. I want to continue that."