Irfan Pathan's Outstanding Hat-Trick Against Pakistan (Source: @ICC/x.com)
As excitement never fades away from cricket, the thrills of the India-Pakistan rivalry can’t be taken off, even if the match is not going on or not. Every encounter between these arch-rivals sparks magic, as players from both sides light up the game with unforgettable moments.
The last Asia Cup 2025 encounter was no different as the spark of the intense rivalry spread like wildfire off the field, too. After the recent clash, the social media war between the former Indian player Irfan Pathan and former Pakistan star Mohammad Yousuf is taking the hype to another level.
The Cold War between these two stars is not new, as Yousuf was Pathan’s hat-trick wicket. Let’s rewind to the unforgettable moment when Irfan Pathan’s brilliance tore through Pakistan’s lineup.
Irfan Pathan Hunts Down Mohammad Yousuf As His Hat-Trick Scalp
The India-Pakistan rivalry has thrived across every format, Test cricket’s patience, ODI’s thrill, and T20’s fire all fuel its magic. Over the years, it has delivered countless unforgettable moments, and the recent clash between Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Yousuf has once again grabbed attention. But their deep-rooted rivalry started when Irfan Pathan removed Yousuf in a Test encounter and secured a hat-trick.
In 2006, India travelled to Pakistan for a three-match Test series, and the last Test took place in Karachi. Opting to bat first, Pakistan faced a setback they had never imagined. Bowling first, Irfan Pathan opened the spell for India, and the first over remained iconic in the India-Pakistan rivalry forever.
In the fourth delivery of the first over, Salman Butt walked away on a duck. In the next ball, Pathan bowled an exceptional delivery, swinging in. Younis Khan played it in the wrong line, and the Indian bowler never lost a minute for the loud appeal, and it ended up in a dismissal.
The next delivery was a chance for the Indian star to seal the first hat-trick of his career, and he never let the moment go away. With a flawless delivery that left Mohammad Yousuf stunned, the ball hit its mark perfectly. As Yousuf trudged back, Irfan Pathan celebrated a sensational hat-trick, becoming only the second Indian ever to achieve this remarkable feat.
Pathan’s Fifer Eclipses Pakistan’s First Innings
Even after the sensational hat-trick, Irfan Pathan was not done yet, as something big was waiting for him. Pakistan bounced back from the early stumbles as Kamran Akmal flipped the script with an exceptional hundred.
Just as he dominated India’s bowlers, Pathan struck in the 57th over, dismissing Akmal for 113. He didn’t stop there, claiming the vital wicket of Shoaib Akhtar to complete a brilliant five-wicket haul, leaving fans in awe of his all-round mastery.
Pakistan Seizes The Victory With Dominance
After Pakistan put on a fighting total of 245 runs, Team India ended their innings on 238 runs. In the second innings, Pakistani batters tore apart Team India’s bowling lineup. Faisal Iqbal’s 139, Younis Khan’s 77, and Mohammad Yousuf’s 97 pushed Pakistan to put on a massive total of 599/7.
After struggling with the ball, Team India’s batting order collapsed in front of Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack. Among that disaster, Yuvraj Singh stepped up and tried to turn the tide. With an exceptional hundred, he smashed the Pakistani bowlers all over the ground.
His valiant 122 eventually ended at the hands of Abdul Razzaq, but by then, Pakistan had seized full control, posting a massive 341-run total and leaving India reeling. As long as the India-Pakistan rivalry lives on, Irfan Pathan’s iconic spell will remain etched in the hearts of cricket fans.
