Jammu, Jan 4, TEN Network | India all-rounder Irfan Pathan announced on Saturday he will be retiring from professional cricket with immediate effect.
Irfan Pathan, who made his international debut in 2003, played professional cricket for 16 years. Despite not featuring in an international fixture since 2012, Irfan was playing domestic cricket until February 2019.
“I am announcing retirement from all forms of cricket. I have been fortunate to share the dressing room with greats of the game like Ganguly, Dravid, and Laxman. I am calling time on my career,” Irfan Pathan said.
“I would like to thank my family for providing much-needed support. I would like to thank my fans. They have always hoped for my comeback. Their support has kept me going.”
A sensational hat-trick against Pakistan in Karachi
Irfan Pathan made his international debut against Australia in Adelaide in 2003 and caught the attention of the world with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Pathan got the wicket of Matthew Hayden in his first outing as India went on to clinch a famous win.
Irfan became only the 2nd Indian bowler to pick up a Test hat-trick when he achieved the feat in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 2006. Pathan removed Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf with 3 unplayable deliveries and became the only bowler to pick up a hat-trick in the 1st over a Test match.
Irfan was also the Man of the Match in the T20 World Cup final in 2007. He had picked up 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding just 16 runs in a high-voltage contest against Pakistan.
Notably, Irfan Pathan’s only hundred also came against Pakistan when he reached the 3-figure mark against India’s arch-rivals in Bengaluru in 2007.
While Irfan’s batting ability was seen as a big boost to India’s balance, constant injuries did not allow him to become the bowler that the world wanted him to be.
Will always keep contributing to Indian cricket: Irfan
“I will keep contributing to Indian cricket, but it is always better if someone else takes my place in domestic cricket. There are a lot of other things in store for me and I will keep focusing on them,” Pathan told Star Sports on Saturday.
“In domestic cricket, too, I have been part of Jammu and Kashmir cricket and after last season, I thought what’s the motivation to play any more?”
Irfan Pathan’s last competitive outing was for Jammu and Kashmir in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament against Kerala on February 27, 2019.
Ever since Irfan Pathan has been busy with commentary stints and role as an analyst with television broadcasters. In April last year, Irfan Pathan joined Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team as coach-cum-mentor.
Irfan Pathan, who won the inaugural T20 World Cup with India in 2007, represented the senior national team in 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is. The all-rounder picked up 301 international wickets and scored more than 2500 runs across all 3 formats of the game. (IT)
