Celebrating Irfan Pathan's Birthday: A Look at the Star Cricketer's Memorable Records and Pakistan's Sufferings

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Irfan Pathan is celebrating his 40th birthday today (27 October). It has been a while since Irfan retired from international cricket, but he continues to make his presence felt on the field. Irfan frequently showcases his talent in various T20 leagues around the world. Despite his retirement, his remarkable achievements in international cricket will always be cherished. In this article, we will highlight three of his most unforgettable feats.

1. Taking seven wickets on the first day of a Test match:

Irfan took seven wickets on the first day of the second Test of the Zimbabwe tour in 2005. He is still the only Indian fast bowler to take seven wickets on the first day of a Test match. Overall, six Indian bowlers have taken seven or more wickets on the first day of a Test so far. Out of six, five have taken seven and one has taken nine wickets on the first day.

2. Opening in both batting and bowling (both Test and ODI):

Irfan is only the second Indian to open both batting and bowling in both Test and ODI. Irfan has done this thrice in a Test and once in the ODI. A total of 15 Indians have been able to do this in Test cricket while only four Indians have been able to do this in ODI.

3. Hat-trick in the first over of the Test:

Irfan did a historic feat in the third Test played in Karachi during the Pakistan tour in January 2006. He took a hat-trick in the first over itself by dismissing Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf. Irfan got Salman caught by Rahul Dravid in the slip on the first ball. After this, he got Younis out LBW on an incoming ball.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IRFAN PATHAN…!!!

– The only bowler to take a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test. The POTM in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/GL5XJzExJf

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 27, 2024

Yusuf came to face the hat-trick ball. Irfan completed his hat trick by clean-bowling him with an incoming ball. He is the only bowler in the world to take a Test hat-trick in the first over. Along with this, he is one of only three Indians to take a Test hat-trick.