MOHALI : Cricket is a game of failures. So says Greg Chappell. Even Sir Don Bradman failed in 38 Test innings. Why then this fuss and over-analysis over Irfan Pathan, just 22, innocent cricketer, wanting to perform, but not able to do so, for many reasons.

It is not that he has not performed. He has won contests with ferocity, famously scripted a Test hat-trick in the first over of the match, and then struggled. It is this struggle that has stoked the debate among many former stars who cannot fathom why Pathan cannot fire all the time.

"I am not a superman," declares Pathan. Well, we know he is not. But was he not sometime ago. He could bat with authority, more importantly bowl with fire, swinging the ball menacingly, bending it at bizarre angles. The infectious smile; sometimes snarl too, at every conquest added to the young man's buoyant character.

Take a peep into his maturity. "I think this failure early in my career, despite working hard, was overall good for me. I will now be aware of what to do. I am positive and confident and people around me know that. I am trying to perform to the best of my abilities."

Does he believe there has been no changes? "I was no different in Pakistan, when I got the hat-trick and now. I used to react earlier. Now I am learning to cope with criticism and difficult times. Let them (former cricketers) say what they have to. It does not really matter. It is not in my control to stop them. But I know no one can stop me from doing well except myself. And that is the reason why I still have the smile on my face."

Many supporters

His supporters, according to his list, are many. "My team, my coach, the support staff, my captain, my colleagues. He (Dravid) told me to keep working hard. Greg (Chappell) told me positive things to learn from failures. Greg saw me as a No. 1 bowler and was obviously disappointed when I did not perform. I know it is my job to take wickets and I have to work well. But I am so happy the team has always supported me."

Still confident

Pathan emphasises he has not lost his confidence. "I am feeling good. It may sound strange to some people but I know what I have within myself. I know what I can do. Sometimes things don't go your way even when you bowl well. I may have performed below expectations but then failure happens to everyone."

Pathan is known to punish himself after every bad performance. "I work harder and set new benchmarks, new challenges. I have my ambitions. I want to be a very good cricketer. There is no doubt that one day I will."

How does he cope with failure? "It is not difficult. Look, a batsman is dropped at ten, makes a hundred and is hailed, but what if he had not been dropped. We all are one step away from failure and success. And that is why everyone needs luck as well. We all make mistakes, and we all learn from them."

Even as opinions differ on Pathan being persisted at No. 3, the composed youngster looks ahead. "To be honest, batting has improved my bowling. When batting, I try to read the bowler; so when I bowl I can know what the batsman would be thinking. I have a different role at No. 3 and different at No. 8 and it helps me plan how I would bowl to a number three and number eight. I feel I have improved my cricket. Responsibilities have helped me grow as a cricketer."

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