Irfan Pathan was the most underrated all-rounder to represent Indian cricket team in 120 One Day International and 29 Tests and took 173 and 100 wickets in them. He also took and 24 T20Is for India, picking a total of 301 international wickets. Irfan became the poster boy of Indian cricket when he made his debut into international cricket. He became fan favourite due to his good looks, curly locks and a charming smile, above all he could make the ball talk. The world witnessed glimpses of his raw talent with a sensational in-swinging yorker that bowled out Australian Adam Gilchrist in a Test match in Sydney in 2003-04.
The memory is still etched in the mind of fans as its just yesterday produced a magic ball – a reverse-swinging yorker, curling in the air and smashing the base of the middle and leg-stumps to take his wicket. This brought to smile on faces Indian cricket enthusiasts all over the world and took notice of this new swing sensation. But it was sad that Indian cricket lost a genuinely talented match-winning fast bowler just when he should have been achieving his peak but Injuries played a major role in hampering his progress.
Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of the game after having an illustrious career which consisted of the inaugural World Twenty20 victory in South Africa. He also played a crucial role in the India’s historic win at Perth in 2008, where his all-round performances ensured India’s success.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is one of those cricketers who put the team ahead of him. The cricket fans witnessed the same in the ongoing Road Safety World Series where he not only scored an unbeaten knock of 57 runs and took five wickets too in doing so India Legends defeated Sri Lanka Legends. The match was held at D Y Patil Sports Stadium but began on bad note for India Legends as they lost Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in the very first over. Post that even Sehwag (3) and even Yuvraj Singh (1) were sent back to the pavilion. Indian Legend were reduced Team India to 19/3.
But the Indian legend were brought back on track by Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Bangar put on 43 runs, but when everyone was going as planned Banger (18) was bowled out Rangana Herath. It was uphill journey for Indian Legends as they needed 58 runs from 34 balls to win the match but Kaif gave away his wicket by trying to hit a boundary. But in the final overs Irfan Pathan changed the momentum of the innings. by hitting boundaries and got ample support in Manpreet Gony. The duo went on to put up a partnership of 58 runs, taking India to a triumph by five wickets and with eight balls remaining.
Another star of the game was Munaf Patel’s who took four-wicket haul which helped India Legends restrict Sri Lanka Legends to 138/8 in the allotted twenty overs.
Brief Scores:
India Legends 139/5 (Irfan Pathan 57*, Mohammad Kaif 46, Chaminda Vaas 2-5) defeat Sri Lanka Legends 138/8 (Tillakaratne Dilshan 23, Chamara Kapugedera 23, Munaf Patel 4-19) by five wickets.
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