[Watch] When Irfan Pathan Demolished Pakistan With Historical Hat-Trick In Karachi Test
Irfan Pathan celebrating wicket in Karachi | Source: X.com
Irfan Pathan turns 39 on Friday, October 27. This celebrated former cricketer, who transitioned to a successful commentator, was once a global cricket sensation.
His international cricket career was filled with memorable moments both with the ball and the bat. But there is one exceptional moment in his career that he is remembered for to this day.
Let's rewind and delve into that defining chapter in his professional cricket career:
Irfan Pathan's Historic Hat-trick vs Pakistan:
Now, let's rewind to the year 2006, when India embarked on a historic tour of Pakistan for a three-match Test series. After two drawn matches, the teams clashed once more in Karachi.
This time, they encountered a more demanding scenario. In contrast to the previous two Tests, where the pitches were batter’s paradises, the Karachi pitch for the third Test had a green tinge, providing assistance to the fast bowlers.
Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, won a crucial toss and immediately opted to bowl first. The Karachi pitch had some nice green grass, and Rahul didn't waste a sec before handing the ball to Irfan Pathan, the swing wizard, and bam, history in the making!
Pathan started with a bang, sending opener Salman Butt packing for a duck, caught at first slip on the fourth delivery of the over. He continued his magic by getting the better of opposition skipper Younis Khan with a sensational in-swinging delivery, and then he capped it off with a hat-trick, cleaning up the wickets of the seasoned batter Mohammad Yousuf with another exquisite delivery.
Following this, a hushed silence enveloped the Pakistan camp, and the Karachi crowd remained glued to their seats, struggling to fathom the rapid turn of events. Meanwhile, the visiting team couldn't contain their pride, their eyes fixed on Irfan Pathan, knowing full well that he had etched his name in history on Pakistani turf.
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The versatile all-rounder joined the 'Hat-Trick Heroes' club with Harbhajan Singh as the only other Indian to claim a Test hat-trick. In addition to this, he had also become the first-ever to pull off a hat-trick in the very first over of a Test match.
Despite Irfan Pathan's heroic display, India had to swallow a bitter defeat in that Test, losing by a staggering 341 runs as Pakistan made a stunning comeback to snatch the series 1-0. Yet, the Karachi Test will forever be enshrined in the memories of Indian fans, primarily for Irfan Pathan's iconic hat-trick.
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