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The former Indian cricketer made his first-class debut in the 2001-02 season.
Irfan Pathan (left) and Yusuf Pathan (right) are a terrific brother duo, who have contributed greately to the Indian cricket. (Image: irfanpathan_official/Instagram)
One of the finest all-rounders to play for India, Irfan Pathan celebrates his 40th birthday today. Pathan was an instrumental figure in India’s inaugural T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007.
In international cricket, Pathan featured in 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is. Thanks to the habit of taking wickets in regular intervals and a big-hitting prowess, it did not take too much time for Pathan to cement his spot in the team. Seen as a prime candidate to succeed the great Kapil Dev, Pathan possessed a genuine ability to swing the ball both ways and a sound batting technique in his arsenal.
Irfan Pathan: Stats
Irfan Pathan made his first-class debut in the 2001-02 season. Pathan secured a maiden national call-up for the tour of Australia at the age of 19. He went on to make his international debut in the second Test against Australia at Adelaide in December 2003.
Irfan Pathan displayed one of his greatest spells against Pakistan in the Karachi Test back in 2006. In the very first over of the game, Pathan claimed a hat-trick to dismantle the Pakistan top-order. Pathan dismissed Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf to earn a solid start for the visitors.
In January 2004, Pathan featured in ODIs for the very first time. His T20I debut occurred against South Africa in December 2006.
In Test cricket, Irfan Pathan claimed 1105 runs, one century, six half centuries and 100 wickets. In ODIs, Pathan scored 1544 runs at a strike rate of 79.54. Pathan has 173 ODI wickets under his belt. In T20Is, Pathan enjoyed a strike rate of 119.44.
Irfan Pathan: Records
Irfan Pathan was adjudged the Player of the Match in the 2007 T20 World Cup final played against Pakistan. Thanks to Pathan’s supreme all-round abilities, Gautam Gambhir’s gritty knock and RP Singh’s lethal pace-bowling, India won the contest by five runs to lift the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy.
Irfan Pathan became only the second Indian player, after Harbhajan Singh, to claim a hat-trick in Tests. Pathan set this record against Pakistan in Karachi in 2006.
Irfan Pathan also holds a unique record for opening the batting and bowling in the same Test match. He replicated this feat in an ODI match against South Africa in 2005.
Irfan Pathan: Career Post-Retirement
Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in January 2020. Following his retirement, Pathan ventured into cricket commentary. He is currently one of the most prominent cricket analysts in the country.
