Irfan Pathan Reveals He Didn't Want To Tour Pakistan For 2003 Under-19 Series

Former Indian seamer Irfan Pathan has opened up on his Under-19 tour of Pakistan in 2003 that was indeed the turning point of his career. Irfan Pathan has fond memories attached when it comes to the rival nation, having taken a Test hat-trick in Karachi back in 2006. He toured Pakistan for the first time in 2004 under Sourav Ganguly and delivered many match-winning performances against the Men in Green. But 2003 was also the year when there existed an unwillingness in him to tour Pakistan.

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It was the very first time when the opportunity to break into the senior Indian side came down, knocking at his door. During an Instagram live session with Suresh Raina, the left-arm bowler revealed that he didn’t want to tour the neighbouring country. Instead, Irfan Pathan wanted to be a part of the Ranji game against Mumbai, being in good form.

The left-arm pacer picked up as many as nine wickets during a match in Lahore as India beat Bangladesh by 189 runs after posting 223 on the board. Apart from bagging nine scalps, Irfan Pathan produced 34 runs in 31 deliveries with four boundaries and a maximum.

Pathan recalled telling Shetty sir that he is willing to play the Ranji match against Mumbai as he is in good form. However, his mentor insisted him to travel as India was touring Pakistan after 14 years and that he had played U-19 before. The retired Baroda swing bowler went on to claim he disappointingly went there without realizing what lay ahead. In response to the same, Suresh Raina was glad that he played in Pakistan after which Pathan toured Australia.

“I didn’t want to come on that Pakistan tour. We had a match against Mumbai in Ranji Trophy. I told Shetty sir that it’s a match against Mumbai, I’m in good form. So if I perform against them then my name will definitely start doing the rounds. But he said ‘no India are touring Pakistan for the first time in 14 years. You’ve played U19 before so you have to go.’ I went there disappointed to be honest but who knew what was in store for me.” the 35-year old said.

“I remember the Lahore match when you took 9 wickets with two hat tricks and everybody started talking about you. But you by God’s grace after you played that match in Pakistan you were selected for the Australia tour.” Raina stated.

Irfan Pathan claimed the wickets of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden for the first time down under:

Irfan Pathan’s stellar display in that U-19 fixture catapulted him to the Indian Test side for Australia tour at the age of 19. The southpaw rocked the mighty Kangaroos by dismissing Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. Raina remembered the famous moment when a reverse swinging yorker got the better of Gilchrist.

“I remember the reverse swinging Yorker to dismiss Gilly, you also got Haydos out.” Raina added.

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