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Happy Birthday Irfan Pathan: Relive His Iconic Test Hattrick That Dismantled Pakistan

Debashis Sarangi

Irfan Pathan took a Test hattrick vs Pakistan [Source: @RCBTweets/X]Irfan Pathan took a Test hattrick vs Pakistan [Source: @RCBTweets/X]

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One of India's finest all-rounders, Irfan Pathan, is celebrating his 40th birthday today. The cricketer was born on October 27, 1984, in Baroda and went to represent India in 173 international matches, including 29 Tests, 120 One-Day Internationals and 24 T20 Internationals. 

Although Irfan Pathan scripted many memorable wins for India with his incredible all-round attributes, his memorable Test hattrick against Pakistan still remains the most significant highlight of his illustrious career. So, on the auspicious occasion of Irfan Pathan's birthday, here's a tribute to his clinical bowling spell in Karachi. 

A Throwback To Irfan Pathan's Phenomenal Hattrick Vs Pakistan

After two consecutive Tests ended in a stalemate, arch-rivals India and Pakistan locked horns with each other in the series decider at the iconic National Stadium in Karachi. Indian captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to field first, considering the seam-friendly conditions at the venue. 


His decision turned out to be a masterstroke, as India's premier new-ball bowler Irfan Pathan lived up to the expectations in style. The left-arm pacer registered a magnificent Test hattrick, becoming the first-ever Indian pacer to achieve the milestone. 

From over the wicket, Pathan bowled a gentle out-swinger to get Pakistani opener Salman Butt caught behind in the slips. On his very next ball, Pathan surprised the legendary Younis Khan with an in-swinger, getting him trapped plumb in front of the stumps. 

However, the fast bowler preserved his best for Pakistan's trump card Mohammad Yousuf. He bowled another picture-perfect in-swinger that went straight through the gate, uprooting Yousuf's middle stump. Thus, Pathan completed a magical hattrick, sending shivers down the spine of India's arch-rivals. 

Akmal And Asif Script Pakistan's Remarkable Win

Although Irfan Pathan's hattrick put India in a commanding position, Pakistan recovered from the early jitters, thanks to a magnificent stand between Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq. After taking a seven-run lead in the first innings, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 599 runs in the second before bowling India out for 265 runs. Thus, despite being on the back foot, the home team bounced back in style and claimed the series by 1-0.