The Hindu : Sport : Second innings effort better: Pathan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 13, 2004

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Second innings effort better: Pathan

DHAKA, DEC. 12. Nobody ever doubted Irfan Pathan's abilities since the day he cleaned up Adam Gilchrist's furniture with that inswinging yorker in Sydney in January this year. Yet, the left-arm paceman took a giant stride in his evolution as an international bowler on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today by claiming his first ten-wicket haul of his fledgling career.

Pathan made no secret of his emotions at the end of the day's play. "It's a great feeling to follow my maiden five-wicket haul with 10 wickets in the match," he said. "I guess you need one five-wicket haul to get you started. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly though."

There is certainly nobody as formidable as Gilchrist among the ranks of Pathan's opponents today, but, it was the in-swinger again that did the trick. "It was easy for me because I was able to bowl the in-swingers, especially with the new ball. It's difficult for any batsman to play against big swing. I don't think they batted badly at all," said Pathan, who is playing in his ninth Test.

"I bowled a lot better in the second innings. I was bowling with a bit more pace. I rate this effort higher than the first innings. The most satisfying was the wicket I got in the first over."

When asked the reason behind changing ends in the second innings, Pathan said, "I was bowling with the wind in the first innings. In the second there was no wind so I thought I would try the other end."

About the conditions, he said, "It's a bit different here. The ball swings more here than in India. I think this is the best pitch I've played in Asia." — Our Principal Correspondent

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