Gautam Gambhir Mentions Irfan Pathan As A True Champion
Jan 5, 2020 at 1:19 AM
On Saturday (4th January), the 35-year-old left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from every cricket format. Many of his past fellow cricketers have sent best wishes for him for his new journey, and the former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is one of them. Gambhir also called Pathan as a true champion.
When Irfan Pathan made his international cricket debut in December 2003 during Australia tour, he was believed as the future star. Though the cricket experts and fans were not wrong, Pathan failed to stretch his international career for the longer period majorly due to weak fitness.
Irfan Pathan started his international career as a left-arm pacer who had the brilliant skills of swing bowling. However, with time progress, he developed his batting skills and evolved himself as a pace-bowling all-rounder which the Indian national cricket team was searching for a long time. He was one of the playing XI members who represented India in its T20I debut (against South Africa at Johannesburg on 1st December 2006).
In his international career, Irfan Pathan achieved many top successes, including winning the inaugural ICC World T20 (2007). Pathan won the Player of the Match award in the final of that tournament against Pakistan after delivering an unforgettable match-winning bowling performance of 4-0-16-3. Incidentally, Gautam Gambhir (75) was the highest run-scorer in that match.
Irfan Pathan was one of the best all-rounders I have played with: Gautam Gambhir
From 2003 to 2012, Irfan Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is where he took 100, 173 and 28 wickets respectively. Also, the left-handed batsman scored 1,105 Test runs (average 31.57), 1,544 ODI runs (average 23.39) and 172 T20I runs (average 24.57). Though Pathan was active in domestic cricket, he didn’t get another chance for the national team since October 2012.
On this retirement occasion, Gautam Gambhir tweeted, “So many match winning spells, numerous match winning innings, one of the best all arounders I have played with. You are a true champion @IrfanPathan my friend. Good luck for your second innings. Cheers #irfanpathan”
So many match winning spells, numerous match winning innings, one of the best all arounders I have played with. You are a true champion @IrfanPathan my friend. Good luck for your second innings. Cheers #irfanpathan pic.twitter.com/J5GyGhhQ6g
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 4, 2020
Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan played together in 85 international matches (12 Tests, 50 ODIs and 23 T20Is). Even in four international innings, Gambhir and Pathan were the opening partners.