From a kid who grew up in an impoverished family in a mosque in Vadodara to becoming one of the finest talents <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India</strong></a>n cricket has witnessed, Irfan Pathan has come a fairly long way. He is now a happy husband and father, but somewhere down the line, he&#8217;s vexed with a fact that he couldn&#8217;t contribute significantly to Indian cricket in the last 5-6 years.

Nevertheless, not a lot of fans can forget a curly-haired youngster running towards the crease and bending the ball like Beckham. It didn&#8217;t take long for Irfan to establish himself as the successor to the immortal Kapil Dev and with over 300 International wickets and over 2,800 International runs, he did have his say in the gentleman&#8217;s game.

One thing that has always been impressive about Pathan is the very reason he has earned so much respect. He was always a big match player, who could soak in all the pressure in a high-magnitude game and deliver the goods for the side. During his illustrious and eventful International career, the left-hander had some unforgettable moments which would live fresh in the memory of many for an eternity.

As the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/irfan-pathan-and-his-son-imran-are-father-son-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>all-rounder from Baroda</strong></a> turns 34 today, there cannot be a more auspicious occasion to look back at his best moments in International cricket.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289500" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gilchrist-wicket.jpg" alt="Gilchrist wicket" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289500" class="wp-caption-text">Gilchrist wicket. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)</figcaption>

For a teenage sensation who made his way to the Indian side for the Test series against the mighty Aussies, to have made an instant impact was something absolutely astounding. He received his International cap in the 2003/04 series against Ricky Ponting&#8217;s ruthless army and it didn&#8217;t take long to showcase what he possessed.

In the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a Test famously remembered for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sachin-tendulkar-to-inaugurate-mumbai-odi-between-india-and-windies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sachin Tendulkar</strong></a>&#8216;s unbeaten effort of 241, India had registered a total in excess of 700 for the first time in their Test history. The stage was set for the bowlers to pull off something brilliant and they almost registered a sensational series win in Steve Waugh&#8217;s farewell game.

Coming to the birthday boy&#8217;s moment, towards the fag end of the 3rd day, the Australian batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich were trying their best to weather the bowling storm in the final few overs. But then, the unthinkable happened as Gilchrist&#8217;s stumps went for a toss with an absolute beauty from Pathan. The ball curled in the air and blocked the southpaw, giving him no chance to get a bat on it.

Here&#8217;s the video of that sensational delivery

<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SATURDAY SEED</p><p>There wasn&#39;t much Adam Gilchrist could do about this ripper from Irfan Pathan! <a href="https://t.co/Ih2tkFfZ4l">pic.twitter.com/Ih2tkFfZ4l</a></p><p>&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1010469204334559232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></p>

<br>4. Final over in the Commonwealth bank series final 2007/08

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289501" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Commonwealth-bank-series-final.jpg" alt="Commonwealth bank series final" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289501" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan of India celebrates. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption>

History was at stake as a young Indian side was at the cusp of achieving no other Indian side had ever achieved in the history, an ODI series win in <strong>Australia</strong>. After winning the first final of the tri-series in Sydney, Brisbane hosted the second of the best of three finals with India registering 258 runs batting first.

It was a tricky run-chase, but Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden nullified the brilliant effort from Praveen Kumar to put the hosts on top. Some quick wickets derailed their path eventually, but James Hopes stroked a half-century and it was all down to the final over where India needed two wickets to win and the Aussies needed 13 runs.

Irfan Pathan, who had been outstanding in the whole series for India, was handed the responsibility. After giving a single to Hopes off the first ball, he dismissed Nathan Bracken and the visitors were in touching distance. Then came one of the most iconic moments in Indian history as Hopes was caught at mid-wicket and Pathan delivered the knockout punch. Till date, this remains India&#8217;s best performance Down Under.<br>

3. Match-winning show in the World T20 final

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitterati-not-pleased-with-ms-dhoni-s-absence-from-the-t20i-squads-against-windies-and-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni&#8217;</strong></a>s first assignment as a captain was the inaugural ICC World T20 and we all know how that panned out. In the final against Pakistan, both Yusuf and Irfan Pathan were roped into the XI and it was a big moment for their family. Batting first, India registered 157 runs banking on a breathtaking 75-run knock from Gautam Gambhir.

Imran Nazir&#8217;s blazing start put the opponents in the driver&#8217;s seat. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end and owing to an injury, Nazir too was dismissed and Pakistan were on the backfoot. But the big breakthroughs were provided by Irfan Pathan, who came up with a stupendous spell in the middle overs.

He picked up three huge wickets of Shoaib Malik, the in-form Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat as India narrowly won the game by 5 runs, he was adjudged the player of the match for his sensational figures of 3/16 in four overs. Irfan&#8217;s contribution to this flabbergasting encounter can never be summed up in a few paragraphs.<br>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289505" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-Yusuf-Pathan.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289505" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

It was the only T20 of India&#8217;s Sri Lanka tour in 2009 and batting first, the Islanders registered an above par total of 171 for the loss of four wickets. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/yusuf-and-irfan-pathan-dance-like-desi-boys-at-their-sisters-pre-wedding-ceremony/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yusuf Pathan</strong></a> picked up two wickets in that game, giving away just 23 runs whilst Irfan Pathan was impressive with his 1/34.

The brothers of destruction were not satisfied with their bowling rendition and hence, came to haunt the Lankans with the bat as well. At 115/7 in 15 overs, India needed 57 runs off the last five overs with Yusuf and Irfan at the crease. Yusuf Pathan gave the early blitz in the partnership, smashing 2 sixes and a four in the 16th over.

The next two overs were very crucial as Malinga and Dilhara Fernando, the two premium Lankan bowlers were in operation. The batting duo did a fantastic job to accumulate 22 runs of these two overs which had just one boundary. Irfan then smashed a six and a four in the penultimate over which left only five runs to get in the final over.

Irfan hit the winning towards mid-wicket off Malinga and their 59-run partnership helped them replicate what they must&#8217;ve been dreaming for a long period of time. Hands down, this was the most amazing moment these two cricketers shared on the field. The elder of the Pathan brothers was adjudged Man of the Match, but the game belonged solely to their brotherhood.<br>

1. A hat-trick never to be forgotten for ages

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289506" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Hat-trick-against-Pakistan-2006-Test-match.jpg" alt="Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289506" class="wp-caption-text">Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match. (Photo credit should read RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the third and final Test against <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/pakistan-vs-australia-third-umpires-controversial-decision-costs-the-visitors-darcy-short-s-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan</strong></a> in 2006, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. In the very first over of the Test match, Irfan Pathan stunned the Karachi crowd with a spell that will never be forgotten by Indian cricket fans.

The fourth ball of the over swung like a banana from a middle stump line to Salman Butt&#8217;s fourth stump line, which induced an outside edge and Dravid was safe as a house in slips. This time to the right-hander Younis Khan, once again he hit the fourth stump line and swung it back into him. He was rapped on the pads and the legendary Simon Taufel had his finger raised.

Talk about the consistent execution of marvellous stuff, this was one of the prime examples. Once again, Irfan hit the same area to Mohammad Yousuf, who left too much gap between bat and pad, only to see the red cherry crash into the three sticks behind him. That was only the second hat-trick taken in Indian Test history and the first and only (till date) in the opening over of an innings.

Relive Irfan Pathan&#8217;s most iconic moment of his International career.

<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy Birthday <a href="https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IrfanPathan</a> 🎂😎<br>Here&#39;s reliving his famous hat-trick against Pakistan. This one&#39;s from the archives <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/CG3sV47aDU">pic.twitter.com/CG3sV47aDU</a></p><p>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1056028966493044738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></p>

Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match

<p>From a kid who grew up in an impoverished family in a mosque in Vadodara to becoming one of the finest talents <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India</strong></a>n cricket has witnessed, Irfan Pathan has come a fairly long way. He is now a happy husband and father, but somewhere down the line, he’s vexed with a fact that he couldn’t contribute significantly to Indian cricket in the last 5-6 years.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, not a lot of fans can forget a curly-haired youngster running towards the crease and bending the ball like Beckham. It didn’t take long for Irfan to establish himself as the successor to the immortal Kapil Dev and with over 300 International wickets and over 2,800 International runs, he did have his say in the gentleman’s game.</p>
<p>One thing that has always been impressive about Pathan is the very reason he has earned so much respect. He was always a big match player, who could soak in all the pressure in a high-magnitude game and deliver the goods for the side. During his illustrious and eventful International career, the left-hander had some unforgettable moments which would live fresh in the memory of many for an eternity.</p>
<p>As the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/irfan-pathan-and-his-son-imran-are-father-son-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>all-rounder from Baroda</strong></a> turns 34 today, there cannot be a more auspicious occasion to look back at his best moments in International cricket.</p>
<h3>5. A gobsmacking in-swinger to Gilchrist</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289500" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289500" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-289500" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gilchrist-wicket.jpg" alt="Gilchrist wicket" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289500" class="wp-caption-text">Gilchrist wicket. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>For a teenage sensation who made his way to the Indian side for the Test series against the mighty Aussies, to have made an instant impact was something absolutely astounding. He received his International cap in the 2003/04 series against Ricky Ponting’s ruthless army and it didn’t take long to showcase what he possessed.</p>
<p>In the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a Test famously remembered for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sachin-tendulkar-to-inaugurate-mumbai-odi-between-india-and-windies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sachin Tendulkar</strong></a>‘s unbeaten effort of 241, India had registered a total in excess of 700 for the first time in their Test history. The stage was set for the bowlers to pull off something brilliant and they almost registered a sensational series win in Steve Waugh’s farewell game.</p>
<p>Coming to the birthday boy’s moment, towards the fag end of the 3rd day, the Australian batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich were trying their best to weather the bowling storm in the final few overs. But then, the unthinkable happened as Gilchrist’s stumps went for a toss with an absolute beauty from Pathan. The ball curled in the air and blocked the southpaw, giving him no chance to get a bat on it.</p>
<h4>Here’s the video of that sensational delivery</h4>
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="1010469204334559232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>
<p></p>
<h3><br>
4. Final over in the Commonwealth bank series final 2007/08</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289501" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289501" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-289501" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Commonwealth-bank-series-final.jpg" alt="Commonwealth bank series final" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289501" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan of India celebrates. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>History was at stake as a young Indian side was at the cusp of achieving no other Indian side had ever achieved in the history, an ODI series win in <strong>Australia</strong>. After winning the first final of the tri-series in Sydney, Brisbane hosted the second of the best of three finals with India registering 258 runs batting first.</p>
<p>It was a tricky run-chase, but Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden nullified the brilliant effort from Praveen Kumar to put the hosts on top. Some quick wickets derailed their path eventually, but James Hopes stroked a half-century and it was all down to the final over where India needed two wickets to win and the Aussies needed 13 runs.</p>
<p>Irfan Pathan, who had been outstanding in the whole series for India, was handed the responsibility. After giving a single to Hopes off the first ball, he dismissed Nathan Bracken and the visitors were in touching distance. Then came one of the most iconic moments in Indian history as Hopes was caught at mid-wicket and Pathan delivered the knockout punch. Till date, this remains India’s best performance Down Under.<br>
</p>
<h3>3. Match-winning show in the World T20 final</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitterati-not-pleased-with-ms-dhoni-s-absence-from-the-t20i-squads-against-windies-and-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni’</strong></a>s first assignment as a captain was the inaugural ICC World T20 and we all know how that panned out. In the final against Pakistan, both Yusuf and Irfan Pathan were roped into the XI and it was a big moment for their family. Batting first, India registered 157 runs banking on a breathtaking 75-run knock from Gautam Gambhir.</p>
<p>Imran Nazir’s blazing start put the opponents in the driver’s seat. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end and owing to an injury, Nazir too was dismissed and Pakistan were on the backfoot. But the big breakthroughs were provided by Irfan Pathan, who came up with a stupendous spell in the middle overs.</p>
<p>He picked up three huge wickets of Shoaib Malik, the in-form Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat as India narrowly won the game by 5 runs, he was adjudged the player of the match for his sensational figures of 3/16 in four overs. Irfan’s contribution to this flabbergasting encounter can never be summed up in a few paragraphs.<br>
</p>
<h3>2. Pathan brothers to the rescue!</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289505" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289505" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-289505" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-Yusuf-Pathan.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289505" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was the only T20 of India’s Sri Lanka tour in 2009 and batting first, the Islanders registered an above par total of 171 for the loss of four wickets. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/yusuf-and-irfan-pathan-dance-like-desi-boys-at-their-sisters-pre-wedding-ceremony/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yusuf Pathan</strong></a> picked up two wickets in that game, giving away just 23 runs whilst Irfan Pathan was impressive with his 1/34.</p>
<p>The brothers of destruction were not satisfied with their bowling rendition and hence, came to haunt the Lankans with the bat as well. At 115/7 in 15 overs, India needed 57 runs off the last five overs with Yusuf and Irfan at the crease. Yusuf Pathan gave the early blitz in the partnership, smashing 2 sixes and a four in the 16th over.</p>
<p>The next two overs were very crucial as Malinga and Dilhara Fernando, the two premium Lankan bowlers were in operation. The batting duo did a fantastic job to accumulate 22 runs of these two overs which had just one boundary. Irfan then smashed a six and a four in the penultimate over which left only five runs to get in the final over.</p>
<p>Irfan hit the winning towards mid-wicket off Malinga and their 59-run partnership helped them replicate what they must’ve been dreaming for a long period of time. Hands down, this was the most amazing moment these two cricketers shared on the field. The elder of the Pathan brothers was adjudged Man of the Match, but the game belonged solely to their brotherhood.<br>
</p>
<h3>1. A hat-trick never to be forgotten for ages</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289506" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289506" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-289506" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Hat-trick-against-Pakistan-2006-Test-match.jpg" alt="Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289506" class="wp-caption-text">Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match. (Photo credit should read RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the third and final Test against <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/pakistan-vs-australia-third-umpires-controversial-decision-costs-the-visitors-darcy-short-s-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan</strong></a> in 2006, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. In the very first over of the Test match, Irfan Pathan stunned the Karachi crowd with a spell that will never be forgotten by Indian cricket fans.</p>
<p>The fourth ball of the over swung like a banana from a middle stump line to Salman Butt’s fourth stump line, which induced an outside edge and Dravid was safe as a house in slips. This time to the right-hander Younis Khan, once again he hit the fourth stump line and swung it back into him. He was rapped on the pads and the legendary Simon Taufel had his finger raised.</p>
<p>Talk about the consistent execution of marvellous stuff, this was one of the prime examples. Once again, Irfan hit the same area to Mohammad Yousuf, who left too much gap between bat and pad, only to see the red cherry crash into the three sticks behind him. That was only the second hat-trick taken in Indian Test history and the first and only (till date) in the opening over of an innings.</p>
<h4>Relive Irfan Pathan’s most iconic moment of his International career.</h4>
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="1056028966493044738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>
<p></p>

<p>From a kid who grew up in an impoverished family in a mosque in Vadodara to becoming one of the finest talents <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India</strong></a>n cricket has witnessed, Irfan Pathan has come a fairly long way. He is now a happy husband and father, but somewhere down the line, he&#8217;s vexed with a fact that he couldn&#8217;t contribute significantly to Indian cricket in the last 5-6 years.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, not a lot of fans can forget a curly-haired youngster running towards the crease and bending the ball like Beckham. It didn&#8217;t take long for Irfan to establish himself as the successor to the immortal Kapil Dev and with over 300 International wickets and over 2,800 International runs, he did have his say in the gentleman&#8217;s game.</p>
<p>One thing that has always been impressive about Pathan is the very reason he has earned so much respect. He was always a big match player, who could soak in all the pressure in a high-magnitude game and deliver the goods for the side. During his illustrious and eventful International career, the left-hander had some unforgettable moments which would live fresh in the memory of many for an eternity.</p>
<p>As the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/irfan-pathan-and-his-son-imran-are-father-son-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>all-rounder from Baroda</strong></a> turns 34 today, there cannot be a more auspicious occasion to look back at his best moments in International cricket.</p>
<h3>5. A gobsmacking in-swinger to Gilchrist</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289500" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289500" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289500" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gilchrist-wicket.jpg" alt="Gilchrist wicket" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289500" class="wp-caption-text">Gilchrist wicket. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>For a teenage sensation who made his way to the Indian side for the Test series against the mighty Aussies, to have made an instant impact was something absolutely astounding. He received his International cap in the 2003/04 series against Ricky Ponting&#8217;s ruthless army and it didn&#8217;t take long to showcase what he possessed.</p>
<p>In the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a Test famously remembered for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sachin-tendulkar-to-inaugurate-mumbai-odi-between-india-and-windies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sachin Tendulkar</strong></a>&#8216;s unbeaten effort of 241, India had registered a total in excess of 700 for the first time in their Test history. The stage was set for the bowlers to pull off something brilliant and they almost registered a sensational series win in Steve Waugh&#8217;s farewell game.</p>
<p>Coming to the birthday boy&#8217;s moment, towards the fag end of the 3rd day, the Australian batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich were trying their best to weather the bowling storm in the final few overs. But then, the unthinkable happened as Gilchrist&#8217;s stumps went for a toss with an absolute beauty from Pathan. The ball curled in the air and blocked the southpaw, giving him no chance to get a bat on it.</p>
<h4>Here&#8217;s the video of that sensational delivery</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SATURDAY SEED</p>
<p>There wasn&#39;t much Adam Gilchrist could do about this ripper from Irfan Pathan! <a href="https://t.co/Ih2tkFfZ4l">pic.twitter.com/Ih2tkFfZ4l</a></p>
<p>&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1010469204334559232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><br>
4. Final over in the Commonwealth bank series final 2007/08</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289501" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289501" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289501" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Commonwealth-bank-series-final.jpg" alt="Commonwealth bank series final" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289501" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan of India celebrates. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>History was at stake as a young Indian side was at the cusp of achieving no other Indian side had ever achieved in the history, an ODI series win in <strong>Australia</strong>. After winning the first final of the tri-series in Sydney, Brisbane hosted the second of the best of three finals with India registering 258 runs batting first.</p>
<p>It was a tricky run-chase, but Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden nullified the brilliant effort from Praveen Kumar to put the hosts on top. Some quick wickets derailed their path eventually, but James Hopes stroked a half-century and it was all down to the final over where India needed two wickets to win and the Aussies needed 13 runs.</p>
<p>Irfan Pathan, who had been outstanding in the whole series for India, was handed the responsibility. After giving a single to Hopes off the first ball, he dismissed Nathan Bracken and the visitors were in touching distance. Then came one of the most iconic moments in Indian history as Hopes was caught at mid-wicket and Pathan delivered the knockout punch. Till date, this remains India&#8217;s best performance Down Under.<br>
</p>
<h3>3. Match-winning show in the World T20 final</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitterati-not-pleased-with-ms-dhoni-s-absence-from-the-t20i-squads-against-windies-and-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni&#8217;</strong></a>s first assignment as a captain was the inaugural ICC World T20 and we all know how that panned out. In the final against Pakistan, both Yusuf and Irfan Pathan were roped into the XI and it was a big moment for their family. Batting first, India registered 157 runs banking on a breathtaking 75-run knock from Gautam Gambhir.</p>
<p>Imran Nazir&#8217;s blazing start put the opponents in the driver&#8217;s seat. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end and owing to an injury, Nazir too was dismissed and Pakistan were on the backfoot. But the big breakthroughs were provided by Irfan Pathan, who came up with a stupendous spell in the middle overs.</p>
<p>He picked up three huge wickets of Shoaib Malik, the in-form Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat as India narrowly won the game by 5 runs, he was adjudged the player of the match for his sensational figures of 3/16 in four overs. Irfan&#8217;s contribution to this flabbergasting encounter can never be summed up in a few paragraphs.<br>
</p>
<h3>2. Pathan brothers to the rescue!</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289505" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289505" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289505" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-Yusuf-Pathan.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289505" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was the only T20 of India&#8217;s Sri Lanka tour in 2009 and batting first, the Islanders registered an above par total of 171 for the loss of four wickets. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/yusuf-and-irfan-pathan-dance-like-desi-boys-at-their-sisters-pre-wedding-ceremony/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yusuf Pathan</strong></a> picked up two wickets in that game, giving away just 23 runs whilst Irfan Pathan was impressive with his 1/34.</p>
<p>The brothers of destruction were not satisfied with their bowling rendition and hence, came to haunt the Lankans with the bat as well. At 115/7 in 15 overs, India needed 57 runs off the last five overs with Yusuf and Irfan at the crease. Yusuf Pathan gave the early blitz in the partnership, smashing 2 sixes and a four in the 16th over.</p>
<p>The next two overs were very crucial as Malinga and Dilhara Fernando, the two premium Lankan bowlers were in operation. The batting duo did a fantastic job to accumulate 22 runs of these two overs which had just one boundary. Irfan then smashed a six and a four in the penultimate over which left only five runs to get in the final over.</p>
<p>Irfan hit the winning towards mid-wicket off Malinga and their 59-run partnership helped them replicate what they must&#8217;ve been dreaming for a long period of time. Hands down, this was the most amazing moment these two cricketers shared on the field. The elder of the Pathan brothers was adjudged Man of the Match, but the game belonged solely to their brotherhood.<br>
</p>
<h3>1. A hat-trick never to be forgotten for ages</h3>
<figure id="attachment_289506" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-289506" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-289506" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Hat-trick-against-Pakistan-2006-Test-match.jpg" alt="Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-289506" class="wp-caption-text">Hat-trick against Pakistan 2006 Test match. (Photo credit should read RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the third and final Test against <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/pakistan-vs-australia-third-umpires-controversial-decision-costs-the-visitors-darcy-short-s-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan</strong></a> in 2006, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. In the very first over of the Test match, Irfan Pathan stunned the Karachi crowd with a spell that will never be forgotten by Indian cricket fans.</p>
<p>The fourth ball of the over swung like a banana from a middle stump line to Salman Butt&#8217;s fourth stump line, which induced an outside edge and Dravid was safe as a house in slips. This time to the right-hander Younis Khan, once again he hit the fourth stump line and swung it back into him. He was rapped on the pads and the legendary Simon Taufel had his finger raised.</p>
<p>Talk about the consistent execution of marvellous stuff, this was one of the prime examples. Once again, Irfan hit the same area to Mohammad Yousuf, who left too much gap between bat and pad, only to see the red cherry crash into the three sticks behind him. That was only the second hat-trick taken in Indian Test history and the first and only (till date) in the opening over of an innings.</p>
<h4>Relive Irfan Pathan&#8217;s most iconic moment of his International career.</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy Birthday <a href="https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IrfanPathan</a> 🎂😎<br>Here&#39;s reliving his famous hat-trick against Pakistan. This one&#39;s from the archives <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/CG3sV47aDU">pic.twitter.com/CG3sV47aDU</a></p>
<p>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1056028966493044738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

As the all-rounder from Baroda turns 34 today, there cannot be a more auspicious occasion to look back at his best moments in International cricket.

5 best moments of Irfan Pathan's International career

Irfan Pathan has come a fairly long way. He is now a happy husband and a happy father, but somewhere down the line he's vexed with a fact that he