Irfan Pathan opened up to his fans as the India pacer announced his retirement from all forms of the game this Saturday (January 4), putting the end to an unfulfilled career after promising so much more than he could deliver.
However, there were still significant moments for Pathan's well-wishers to remember like his hat-trick in 2006 Karachi Test against Pakistan, the "Player-of-the-Match" performance in the final of the 2007 World T20, and a year later, an all-round contribution in India's historic Perth Test victory.
"Today, I am saying goodbye to cricket, about which I thought for day and night," PTI quoted Pathan as saying. "I last represented India in 2012 and after that I tried hard. Today in 2020, a thing comes up on social media 'make a comeback', so I want to thank the fans, who never left me alone. It's a time to start the next journey."
Making his debut at the age of just 19, Irfan went on to represent India until October 2012 in 29 Tests (1105 runs and 100 wickets), 120 ODIs (1544 runs and 173 wickets) and 24 T20 Internationals (172 runs and 28 wickets).
"There were many moments when I look back. Definitely getting (Matthew) Hayden as my first wicket is there. But when I got the cap, that was a special moment. It is close to my heart because you do everything for the cap," Pathan said.
"No one knows how your career will shape up, but going to play for the country first time, getting the cap from a senior player or the captain, that was special moment for me."
Injuries plagued the man's career as he lost his pace and swing after the initial burst, a period that coincided with the team management looking to make better use of his batting abilities, sending him higher up the order; perhaps Indian cricket is better positioned now than it was to ensure a talent like that doesn't go to waste.
Nevertheless, Irfan is playing a very crucial role these days in the growth of the sport in the country having joined Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 as a player-cum-mentor; Irfan last played for the team in early 2019 but remains there as a guide for the youth in the valley, the kind of hero they need. Irfan also does Hindi commentary for Star Sports, adding flair and cricketing wisdom to the voice behind the mic. Here's wishing him all the best for the second innings.
(Inputs from PTI)
