The 5 best moments of Irfan Pathan's career

Hailing from Baroda, Gujarat, Irfan Pathan was considered India's next Kapil Dev. In fact, comparisons had started a couple of years after his emergence.

At a tender age of 19, the left-handed all-rounder made his debut in the famous 2003 Adelaide Test, in which India made history by winning a Test on Australian soil after 23 years. Though he failed to make an impact in his debut Test series, he had a stellar ODI series that followed.

He took 16 wickets in 10 ODIs in the VB Tri-series, announcing himself on the international arena. He continued his form for the next couple of years, following which it dipped and he was dropped. Since then, he could never cement his place in the side and he was in and out of the team.

There was talent to back up the hype, but dips in form, constant injuries and fitness concerns never allowed him to fulfil his potential. However, he had his moments of glory including a momentous debut, a shining role in India's historic T20 World Cup win in 2007, and a massive role in India's golden run in ODIs in late 2005 and early 2006.

Let’s look at the five best moments of Irfan Pathan’s career.

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#5 His last ODI appearance in Indian colours (2012)

In 2012, India toured Sri Lanka for a short limited-over series (5 ODIs and 1 T20I). Having pocketed the series 3-1, India were looking to extend their dominance in the final ODI.

In the fifth one-day, Pathan’s brilliant all-round show helped India win from a very tricky position.

First, he combined with MS Dhoni to take India from a wobbly 213/6 to 294/7, scoring a quick 29. He then struck early with the new ball, dismissing both the openers. With Sri Lanka in a seemingly comfortable position at 204-5 in the 36th over, he came back to take three wickets to ensure India’s victory.

His 5/61 and 29 earned him the Man of the Match award as India clinched the series 4-1.

#4 12/126 against Zimbabwe at Harare (2005)

Irfan Pathan took 21 wickets in the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe

Irfan Pathan was in sublime form when India toured Zimbabwe in 2005. It was only his second tour outside the subcontinent and Pathan wreaked havoc in Zimbabwe.

Having already sounded a warning in the first Test, taking 5/58 and 4/53, he was all over the Zimbabwe batsmen once again, in the second Test. He was lethal, swinging the ball both ways and inducing mistakes from the batsmen. He took 7/59 in the first innings (which remains his best performance in an innings) to dismiss Zimbabwe for 161 and later returned in the second innings to take another fifer (5/67) as he finished with 12 wickets in the match and 21 wickets in the series.

#3 Test hat-trick against Pakistan (2006)

Pathan became the 2nd Indian to take a Test hat-trick

Irfan Pathan had already shown what he could do in helpful conditions when the ball was swinging. However, before the third Test in the series, Pathan had taken only two wickets.

But a green top was on offer for the third Test and Pakistan could never have imagined the shambles they would find themselves in at the end of the first over. Off his 4th, 5th and 6th deliveries, Pathan dismissed Salman Butt (caught at first slip), Younis Khan (LBW) and Mohammad Yousuf (bowled through the gate) to become the second Indian and first Indian pacer to take a Test hat-trick. He then went on to complete a fifer as he finished with 5/61.

#2 Heroics against Australia in Perth (2008)

Pathan's all-round show helped India win the famous Perth Test

A lot happened during the 2008/09 Australian summer. The monkey-gate, umpiring failures, India threatening to pull-out of the tour and a lot more. With the Aussies leading 2-0 in the Test series, India moved to Perth with a sense of anger.

Irfan Pathan was making a comeback to the national team and he produced a match-winning effort which resulted in India winning the Perth Test, becoming the first team to beat Australia in Australia in five years.

Pathan did everything the team asked of him. Playing as an all-rounder, he chipped in with useful runs – 28 and 46 in the first and second innings respectively. With the ball, he picked up 5 wickets, dismissing the Aussie openers in both innings. For his all-round performance, Irfan was awarded the Man of the Match.

#1 ICC World T20 Final (2007)

Irfan Pathan took 10 wickets in the T20 World Cup in 2007.

After a shocking first round exit in the 2007 World Cup, India needed a spark and a young Indian team played fearless cricket in the T20 World Cup, making it to the finals. Irfan Pathan was criticized for a dip in form, but he was still selected for the 2007 T20 World Cup due to his all-round abilities. He played all the games and had picked up 7 wickets in 6 games before the final.

Up against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, Irfan tore apart Pakistan’s middle-order as he took 3/16 (Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat all fell to him) to set up a sensational win for India, helping them lift the first ever T20 title. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award in the final.