Cricket

A hard hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan, These are the facts you need to know about him

Jeremy Caroll

Here’s a look inside the life of this modern-day cricket ball smacker:

Beginning: Yusuf Pathan was born to a Pashtun (Pathan) Pathan family in Gujarat on November 17, 1982. His father, Muezzin Mehmood Khan Pathan, was the muezzin. Yusuf and his brother acquired a liking for cricket against their parents’ wishes for them to become Islamic scholars.

The Hardwork:

It’s never simple to be successful. Yusuf Pathan is an excellent example of this. Before being taught by former Indian captain Datta Gaekwad, he went through 6 hours of intense training each day. His first-class debut happened in the 2001-2002 season.

Career:

Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan’s younger brother, had made huge gains and had even scored a hat-trick for the national team. Yusuf Pathan, on the other hand, made steady and modest improvement. Yusuf Pathan’s outstanding exploits in the 2007 Deodhar Trophy delighted the selectors, and he was called up to the Indian squad for the first T20 World Cup in 2007. Yusuf Pathan made his ODI debut for India against Pakistan in Dhaka on June 10, 2008. Yusuf Pathan was not picked for the test team.

A debut that went unnoticed:

Many people were unaware that Yusuf Pathan made his T20I debut against Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 finals. He drove in 15 runs and hit a six-run home run.

The victory of Pathans:

In 2009, India was on the verge of losing a T20I against Sri Lanka until the Pathan brothers banded together to pull off a stunning triumph. India were set a difficult 172 to win, and they were struggling at 115-7 when Yusuf and Irfan put up a 59-run partnership off 25 balls, bringing India home with four balls to spare.

IPL’s fastest century:

Yusuf Pathan was in fine form during the IPL’s maiden season. Yusuf Pathan of Rajasthan Royals scored a century off just 37 balls against Mumbai Indians. Yusuf Pathan held the record for the fastest century until Chris Gayle destroyed it with a 30-ball century four years later.

22-ball 72-run knock:

Pathan was at his peak in the 2014 season of the IPL. Yusuf Pathan helped Kolkata Knight Riders win a critical match against Sunrisers Hyderabad by scoring 72 runs off 22 balls. KKR went on to win the IPL that year. He hit a 15-ball fifty on the way, the equal second-fastest half-century in IPL history.

Ranji Trophy’s fastest 50:

Yusuf Pathan held the Ranji Trophy record for the quickest 50 (in 18 balls) until the 2015 season. Bandeep Singh broke his own record by reaching a half-century in just 15 deliveries.

List A’s (Cricket) fastest century by an Indian:

Yusuf scored 108 runs off 42 balls in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Baroda and Maharashtra in 2010. In only 40 balls, he raced to a three-figure score, setting a new record for the quickest century by an Indian in List-A cricket. Even now, the record stands.

The strange expulsion:

Yusuf Pathan, while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2013 versus Pune Warriors India, became the first batter to be sent for blocking the field in T20 cricket.

Slapgate:

During a Ranji Trophy match between Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir in 2014, Yusuf Pathan slapped a fan for uttering vulgar remarks. Yusuf Pathan was given a match suspension for his incident with the jeering spectator.

Ton vs South Africa:

Prior to the 2011 World Cup, he stood out in the ODI series against South Africa, scoring a stunning 105 in 70 deliveries in a match in Pretoria (comprising 8 fours and 8 sixes).Despite the fact that India lost the match, he was hailed for his effort. He was the second fastest Indian outside the subcontinent to reach a century in 68 balls.

An Indian’s second-best ODI strike-rate

Yusuf Pathan has the second-highest ODI strike rate among Indians who have played at least 500 ODIs, at 113.60. In this regard, he only trails Hardik Panday (115.43).

Innings against New Zealand:

Yusuf Pathan hit his first century against New Zealand in Bangalore’s Chinaswamy Stadium in 2010. India took a 4-0 series lead thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s 123 runs off 96 balls.

First-class history’s most successful run chase:

Pathan led West Zone to a three-wicket triumph against South Zone in the 2010 Duleep Trophy final, scoring 108 in the first innings and 210* in 190 balls in the second. This established a new world record for the most successful run chase in first-class cricket history.

When love came in life:

Yusuf Pathan married Afreen on March 27, 2013. She is a physiotherapist by profession. Pathan Jr: Yusuf & Afreen had their first child on April 17, 2014. He is now the delighted father of a newborn boy.

Pathans Cricket Academy:

Yusuf and Irfan recently created Cricket Academy of Pathans, a dream project based in their hometown of Baroda.

Love of the fans:

According to accounts, Yusuf Pathan participated in the triangular series in Nairobi, Kenya, and represented Baroda in international matches against Gujarat and Kenya. A local admirer described him as “the number one player in cricket behind the great Sachin Tendulkar.”

Retirement

Yusuf Pathan’s career came to an end on February 26, 2021, when he retired from all aspects of the game. He has stated, however, that if the chance arises, he will play in overseas T10 and T20 competitions.

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