Bowlers Used To Fear Bowling To You: Irfan Pathan Lauds His Brother Yusuf Pathan Following His Retirement

Former Indian seam-bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan heaped high praise on his brother and destructive batsman Yusuf Pathan, who called time on his career on Friday.

An hour after Karnataka’s R Vinay Kumar announced his retirement from all forms of the game, Yusuf Pathan went on to shock the cricketing world after he put out a tweet to confirm that he too has decided to walk into the sunset.

In a heartwarming note that Yusuf shared on his Twitter, he expressed his gratitude towards his family, friends, all the captains he played under, the various teams he played for, his fans, and the entire country for their unrelenting support.

I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. #retirement

I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. #<!---->r<!---->e<!---->t<!---->i<!---->r<!---->e<!---->m<!---->e<!---->n<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->u<!---->s<!---->O<!---->z<!---->x<!---->e<!---->r<!---->9<!---->C<!---->E

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

On the same post, his brother Irfan Pathan hailed the swashbuckler as a champion player and someone whom the bowlers used to fear.

You have been a champion player Lala. Bowlers use to fear bowling to you

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

And, Irfan is absolutely right. In his prime, Yusuf Pathan was one of the fiercest hitters of a cricket ball, someone who pulverized the opposition bowling attack with absolute disdain.

And, there was enough evidence throughout his career to support the aforementioned fact. Yusuf Pathan’s finest hour in domestic cricket came in February 2010 when he smashed a barely believable 210 to help West Zone nail down 541 against South Zone in Duleep Trophy.

Yusuf Pathan made his international debut in the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup against Pakistan and he celebrated that with a first-ball six off Mohammad Asif.

His finest performances in India colors came during the 2010-11 season where he smashed a match-winning hundred against New Zealand in Bangalore to help his team chase down 316 and a couple of brilliant knocks during the ODI series in South Africa. His performances helped him earn a spot in India’s playing 11 ahead of Suresh Raina in the 2011 World Cup. However, his form deserted him in the tournament and he was eventually consigned to the bench following the group-stage defeat to South Africa.

He also played a key role in the titular triumphs that Rajasthan Royals [2008] and Kolkata Knight Riders [2012 & 2014] enjoyed in the IPL. He was the final in IPL 2008 [56 off 39 balls] besides holding the record of fastest IPL ton [in 37 balls] by an Indian and the fastest 50 [in 15 balls] by an Indian before KL Rahul broke it in 2018.

Besides the message, Irfan Pathan also shared a heartwarming post for his brother where he hailed him for his several achievements apart from expressing his gratitude for the things that he has learned from him. Not only this, but Irfan has also changed his display picture where he has put up an infographic that aptly captures all the shining points of Yusuf Pathan’s career.

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— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

#<!---->N<!---->e<!---->w<!---->P<!---->r<!---->o<!---->f<!---->i<!---->l<!---->e<!---->P<!---->i<!---->c p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->m<!---->P<!---->q<!---->M<!---->G<!---->5<!---->G<!---->J<!---->l<!---->0

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

As far as his memorable moment alongside his brother Irfan Pathan is concerned, one can’t look past the 2009 T20I between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. Needing 172 to win, India looked like staring down the barrel at 7/115 in 15.1 overs when the Pathan brother scripted a memorable heist. Irfan smashed a 16-ball 33 while Yusuf scored an equally enthralling 10-ball 22 to help India chase down the total with four balls to spare.

Also Read: Domestic Stalwart Vinay Kumar Announces Retirement From All Forms Of Cricket