Irfan Khan Pathan was born on October 27, 1984 in Baroda, Gujarat. Primarily a left-arm medium fast bowler he also bats well. Irfan Pathan is a good all-rounder with many memorable achievements on the field. He has played for Baroda, English county Middlesex and India.
He had a wonderful Under-19 Asian championship in Pakistan where he managed to provide crucial breakthroughs. He got plenty of wickets and showed his ability to bat. His impressive performance earned him entry in Indian cricket team in the 2003-04 Australia series. Irfan Pathan made his Test debut against Australia in Australia in that series.
His impressive debut earned him a place in Indian ODI squad as well and he emerged as the highest wicket taker in the subsequent VB ODI tournament. Pathan is known for his lethal inswingers which has been often been the most lethal weapon in his bowling armory.
He has also played many crucial knocks coming lower in the batting order. He has also been used as an opener and pinch-hitter. He was awarded ICCI Emerging Player of the Year 2004 for his outstanding performance. Pathan also played an important part in India’s success in ICC Twenty20 world cup. He was awarded man of the Match in the final where India defeated Pakistan.
Irfan Pathan has also a unique record of being the first bowler to claim a hat-trick in the first over of a test match. This feat was performed against Pakistan in their own backyard. He was the first Indian fast bowler to do this and also the first Indian to do it on foreign soil.
Irfan Pathan had a topsy-turvy international career. Lately he has suffered from lack of pace in his bowling and that cost him place in the Indian Test as well as ODI side. However, his talent is unquestionable and sooner or later he is bound to make a strong comeback to the Indian side.