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On This Day In 2006: Despite Irfan Pathan’s heroics, Pakistan won the Test by 341 runs.
On This Day In 2006: Irfan Pathan became the second Indian bowler, after Harbhajan Singh, to claim a hat-trick in Tests. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2006: On January 29, 2006, Irfan Pathan became the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to claim a hat-trick in the first over of a match. Pathan achieved this feat during the third Test of the series between India and Pakistan.
At the National Stadium in Karachi, the left-arm pacer claimed back-to-back three wickets in the first over of the innings to earn a solid start for the visitors. Despite Pathan’s heroics, Pakistan went on to win the Test by 341 runs.
Winning the toss, then India skipper Rahul Dravid decided to bowl first. The decision proved to be an effective one, with Pathan claiming three back-to-back wickets without conceding a run. Salman Butt was the first to be dismissed, caught by Dravid on the fourth ball of the over.
Younis Khan, the then Pakistan captain, came out next but also failed to score a run. Facing the penultimate delivery of the first over, Younis was adjudged LBW (Leg Before Wicket). Mohammad Yousuf appeared next to face the hat-trick ball. Pathan came up with a peach of a delivery to send Yousuf back to the dressing room for a duck. With this, Pathan became the second Indian bowler, after Harbhajan Singh, to claim a hat-trick in Tests.
Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother, down three wickets without scoring a run. Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal weathered the storm with a valiant knock of 113, helping the hosts reach a respectable total.
Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar contributed significantly with the bat, each adding 45 runs to the scoreboard. Pakistan ended their first innings at 245.
India, in response, managed to score 238 in the first innings.
Irfan Pathan bagged another wicket in the second innings as Pakistan declared after posting a mammoth total of 599 at the loss of seven wickets. India came out to bat in the second innings with a target of 607 to chase. Abdul Razzaq picked up four wickets to bowl out India for 265 in the second innings.
