Top 10 quotes by Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan

The first word that comes to your mind when you hear the name Irfan Pathan is ‘swing’. He redefined swing bowling like no other and posed troubles to even the best in the business. The way he baffled the likes of Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist with his reverse swinging deliveries is still a sight fresh in the minds of many cricket fans. It was always a delight to watch him bowl and set new records.

He used to curve the ball both ways and is one of those few bowlers who has got a Test cricket hat-trick. However, Irfan Pathan’s career didn’t really progress forward on the expected lines. While the start was as good as it could get, the career graph eventually fell apart. Form and injuries constantly hindered his progress and he was soon out of the reckoning.

Having last represented India in 2012, Irfan decided he’ll bid adieu to the game that he loved so much right at the start of 2020. Just as expressive as he was with the ball, Irfan Pathan was always quite vocal about his opinions too. As he is set to begin this new phase of his life, here are some of the best statements made by him.

Best quotes by Irfan Pathan during his playing days:

1. Don’t need permission in my own country to say what I feel

This is one of the more recent incidents when Irfan Pathan extended his support to the students of Jamia Militia with a tweet. As a result, he received a lot of criticism. That was when the cricket said that he doesn’t need anyone’s permission to speak what he feels in his own country.

Political blame game will go on forever but I and our country🇮🇳 is concerned about the students of #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 15, 2019

2. I’m an Indian before anything else

Adding to the previous quote, it was the same time when Irfan made this statement. He said that he never thought that he is a Muslim when he ran into bowl for India. He won several hearts when he said that he is an Indian before anything else.

3. Irfan Pathan defining the kind of player he is

Irfan Pathan started off as a bowler. But there was always a spark about his batting that attracted many. Thus, the expectations on his performances with the willow grew and he was even tried up the order. However, the Baroda cricketer has always maintained that he is a bowler who can bat. After winning the Man of the Match award in Perth Test in 2008, he reemphasised on this statement.

4. Individuals are never more important than the team

They say cricket is a team sport. Yet, there is so much weight for individuals and individual performances. Irfan, however, is one of those cricketers who put the team ahead of him. His statement after winning the Man of the Match award in the T20 World Cup 2007 final tells exactly why.

5. Giving back to the self-appointed custodians of culture

Irfan Pathan was heavily criticised by a few some time back for posting a picture with his wife. However, he hit back at them with a line from a famous song of the movie Amar Prem starred by Rajesh Khanna. In fact, he posted the same picture again along with this caption. He has always been a loving husband and proved his affection once again with this tweet.

Kuch to log kahenge logo ka kaam hai kehna but always #love #travel pic.twitter.com/aERzXr0g2j

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 17, 2017

6. Rubbishing the infamous perspicacity about Greg Chappell

It was always thought that former Indian coach Gregg Chappell had a hand in Pathan’s downfall. Many believed that the Australian ruined the southpaw‘s career by promoting him as an all-rounder and by hampering his bowling. However, the Junior Pathan rubbished all these claims and even told that he was selected as a batsman among the 30 probables representing India at the U15 level.

7. A Test hat-trick has to be right up there

Picking a five-wicket haul in a Test innings is considered a great achievement. In this perspective, just imagine what it’d be like to pick three wickets off three deliveries. Back in 2006, Irfan Pathan achieved this rare feat against Pakistan in Lahore and feels that the hat-trick has to be right up there in the highlights of his career.

8. The best snack with tea according to Irfan Pathan

Sharing an anecdote from his childhood, Irfan Pathan said that his mother used to fry the previous night’s roti and serve it with chai. According to him, this is the best snack he has ever had with tea.

9. Hang the rapists

Towards the end of 2019, a brutal rape and murder case came into light in Hyderabad. This shook the nation and there were protests all over. That was when Irfan Pathan came out with words of wisdom and voiced his opinion.

Mulk chaahe jiska bhi ho par jab insayiyat marti hay to saara jahan rota hay… #HangRapists

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 30, 2019

10. Coming out with words of support for the elder brother

Both Irfan and Yusuf Pathan have always shared a great camaraderie. They’ve even represented India together. When Yusuf went unsold at the IPL Auction 2020, Irfan tweeted that small hiccups don’t define his career. He called Yusuf a real match-winner.

Small hiccups doesn’t define your career,you have been outstanding thru out. A real match winner. Love you always Lala @iamyusufpathan pic.twitter.com/h3tw3AjoGS

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 19, 2019