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Finally, Irfan gets to play home match
There were two Pathans at the nets on Friday ? and both were Irfans bowling left-arm pace.
There were two Pathans at the nets on Friday — and both were Irfans bowling left-arm pace. The senior, who plays for Vadodara, bowled quite a few overs, giving batting practice to India’s cricketers away from the limelight. And the junior, with all the camera attention focussed on him, tried to sharpen his late outswingers.
Well, Irfan ‘Junior’ is all set to play his first one-day international in front of his home crowd, and for the hordes of his fans — who have lots to say about how they saw him play in the gullies — Saturday will be the day for reviving old memories.
It’s been three years since Pathan played his first match for India and finally his hometown gets to see him bowl. Can’t blame them, for of the 42 ODIs Pathan has played, only six have been in India.
“I am looking forward to playing here,” Pathan said. “Playing in front of your home crowd is something different.
It’s a great feeling. There isn’t any pressure on me but I would love to put up a match-winning performance here. There’s nothing like you playing well and your team winning.”
