Irfan Pathan retires | Throwback to his hat-trick against arch-rivals Pakistan in 2006

Irfan Pathan was one of Team India's lethal pacers during early and mid-2000s and has dismissed best batsmen in business. He has also played an instrumental role in winning a lot of matches for country with his left-arm swing. However, one of his best bowling performances came against arch-rivals Pakistan in a deciding Test match in 2006.

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Irfan Pathan's hat-trick against Pakistan

This had happened during series-deciding third and final Test match which was played at National Stadium in Karachi which was played between January 29 to February 1, 2006. previous two Tests had ended in a stalemate. Indian skipper Rahul Dravid won toss and elected to bowl first. Pathan, who was kwn to provide vital breakthroughs with new ball in hand provided a breakthrough early on.

After keeping left-hander Salman Butt on his toes in first three deliveries, he got better of him when he made southpaw play a false stroke as he got an outside edge and Dravid made mistake at slips. On following delivery, he trapped Younis Khan plumb in front of wicket with a fuller delivery that swung back in. On very next delivery, he castled Mohammad Yousuf with ar dream delivery to complete his hat-trick as Pakistan were reduced to 0/3 in very first over.

By virtue of this feat, Irfan Pathan only second Indian in history of game to register a hat-trick. Meanwhile, he is first and to date only player to register a hat-trick in first over of a Test match.

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Irfan Pathan's cricketing career

Irfan Pathan has represented India in 29 Tests, 102 One Day Internationals and 24 T20Is from 2003 to 2012. In his cricketing career which lasted for almost a decade, Pathan was a part of many of India's famous triumphs which include historic tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, ICC World T20 2007, Australian tri-series in 2007-08, ICC Champions Trophy 2013, etc. He had played his last international match against South Africa in ICC World T20 2012.  

Even though veteran pacer was selected in 2013 Champions Trophy squad, he did t feature in a single game as Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side went on to win tournament without tasting a defeat. This was also last time that Pathan would feature in Indian squad. 

Baroda cricketer has represented six teams in Indian Premier League (IPL). He had played for Kings XI Punjab from 2008 to 2010 after which he was roped in by w-defunct Delhi Daredevils where he had played from 2011-2013. In 2014 and 2015, he represented Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings and n went on to represent w-defunct franchises Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 respectively. 

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