Five memorable Yusuf Pathan performances in international cricket

On February 26 2021, Yusuf Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He represented India in 57 ODIs and 22 T20 Internationals. The biggest international feat of the 38-year-old all-rounder is winning two ICC Cricket World Cups.

His first series at the international level was the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa, where India emerged victorious. He was a part of the Indian side that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup at home.

Pathan was one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball and could clear boundaries with ease. His strike-rate of 113.6 in ODIs and 146.58 in T20Is reflects his attacking instinct. He was handy with the ball too, picking up 33 and 13 wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

However, he did not score consistently in international cricket and was dropped by the selectors in 2012. Thereafter, he could not return to the international stage.

Despite that, there have been a few special performances from Pathan for the national side. Here is a look at five such instances.

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#1 123* and 3-49 against New Zealand in Bengaluru, 2010

Yusuf Pathan had many special moments in his international career

The fourth ODI between India and New Zealand in 2010 witnessed an excellent all-around performance from Pathan.

On a flat wicket in Bengaluru, New Zealand smacked 315 runs in their 50 overs. They could have gotten even more if not for a crucial spell from Yusuf - he picked up figures of 3-49 in nine overs. His victims included Styris, Vettori, and Mills.

He came in to bat with India in trouble at 108-4. He remained unperturbed and smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground. He hit seven boundaries and as many sixes in an unbeaten knock of 123 off just 96 balls.

An experienced bowling attack comprising of Mills, Southee, Mckay, Styris, and Vettori had no answer to the onslaught from Pathan. He single-handedly won India the game with seven balls to spare.

#2 105 against South Africa in Centurion, 2011

Yusuf scored a brilliant 105 against a strong South African bowling attack in Centurion

The SuperSport Park in Centurion witnessed a special innings from Pathan in January 2011. It was the fifth and final ODI, with the series well poised at a 2-2 scoreline.

India were down in the dumps after losing half of their side for just 60 while chasing the 251-run target. In came Pathan, and what followed was indeed special.

Though he kept losing partners, he kept going. Pathan started his innings cautiously and thereafter added 100 runs with Zaheer Khan for the penultimate wicket. He scored a brilliant 105 of just 70 balls, which included eight boundaries and as many sixes. The likes of Steyn, Morkel, Botha, and Tsotsobe had no answer to Pathan.

He gave India fans hope later in the game, but was ultimately dismissed for 105 as South Africa won by 33 runs as per the D/L method.

Pathan's innings is one of the best counter-attacking ODI knocks by an Indian batsman on South African soil in recent times.

#3 59 against South Africa in Cape Town, 2011

Yusuf Pathan scored a match-winning half-century at Newlands in 2011

The third ODI of the five-match series between India and South Africa in 2011 saw another special innings from Pathan.

On a difficult batting wicket, the hosts scored 220 runs in their 50 overs.

India lost half of their side for just 93 runs before Yusuf Pathan joined Suresh Raina at the crease. The duo put on 75 runs together before Raina was dismissed. Pathan dominated the partnership while still playing responsibly.

He notched up 59 runs off 50 balls, slamming six fours and three sixes. The right-hander departed with India on 182. Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan then guided India to a famous win. Yusuf, one of the architects of the victory, was deservedly named the Man of the Match.

#4 15 against Pakistan in Johannesburg, 2007 (Pathan's international debut)

Yusuf Pathan scored 15 in the finals of the 2007 ICC World T20

Although 15 is not a big score, this cameo from Pathan on his debut in a massive game was crucial.

Pathan replaced the injured Sehwag in the playing XI in the final of the 2007 World T20 in South Africa, against arch-rivals Pakistan. He played an aggressive knock of 15 runs in just eight balls, which included a boundary and a six. He put on 25 runs with Gautam Gambhir in just 2.5 overs and set the momentum for the rest of India's innings. Pathan was the third-highest scorer for India in the finals.

India scored 157 in their 20 overs and won the final by 5 runs.

#5 50* against England in Indore, 2008

Yusuf Pathan crossed 50 five times in international cricket

In an ODI between India and England at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in 2008, Pathan played an aggressive knock of 50* and guided India to a match-winning total.

The hard-hitting all-rounder played the role of a finisher perfectly and helped India to a total of 292 in 50 overs. Yuvraj Singh also scored a brilliant century.

Pathan thrashed the English bowling in the death overs, smashing maiden half-century in international cricket in just 29 balls.

He also picked up the wicket of Ravi Bopara in the chase. India won the match by 54 runs.