21 wickets in two Tests against Zimbabwe

Irfan Pathan was barely a year into international cricket when India made a full tour to Zimbabwe in 2005, which will be remembered as Irfan Pathan’s Test series. He picked a total of 21 wickets in two Test matches and was easily the Player of the Series and the Man of the Match in both the matches.

In the first Test in Bulawayo, Pathan picked 5/58 and 4/53 and scored 52 runs in India’s only innings, as they slammed 554 with Laxman making 140 and Ganguly making 101. Zimbabwe was bowled out for 279 and 155 as India won the match by an innings and 90 runs.

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The second Test match at Harare proved to be the crowning glory for Irfan Pathan, as he got both swing and seam movement and destroyed Zimbabwe. He picked 7/59 in the first innings helping India bowl Zimbabwe out for 161 runs. India made 366 with Gambhir making 97 and Dravid making 98, while Pathan contributed 32.

Zimbabwe fared better in second innings, making 223, but Pathan picked 5/67, making it 12 wickets in the match for the all-rounder. India chased down the 19 runs required and India won by 10 wickets. This remains the best Test performance for the left-handed bowler in his Test career.