On Saturday (January 4), Irfan Pathan bid adieu to all forms of international cricket after having played his last game for India in 2012.
The cricketing fraternity qued up to congratulate Pathan for his glorious career. Irfan bid farewell to his international career during a special program at the Star Sports studio.
The Baroda-lad, who is the first and only bowler to pick up a hat-trick in the first over of a match, has helped the Indian team out of tricky situations, on numerous occasions. In fact, apart from his bowling abilities, Irfan also starred with the bat on several occasions as he amassed 1544 runs off the 87 innings that he played in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
In his cricketing career which lasted for almost a decade, Pathan was a part of many of India’s famous triumphs which include the historic tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, T20 World Cup 2007, the Australian tri-series in 2007-08, etc. He played his last international match against South Africa in the ICC World T20 2012.
Cricket fraternity flooded in their messages for Irfan Pathan on social media wishing him a happy retirement.
Here are some of the best reactions:
So many match winning spells, numerous match winning innings, one of the best all arounders I have played with. You are a true champion @IrfanPathan my friend. Good luck for your second innings. Cheers #irfanpathan pic.twitter.com/J5GyGhhQ6g
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 4, 2020
Wish you great 2nd inn my brother @IrfanPathan what a champion bowler and a fighter on the field.. god bless you brother.. lots of love #irfanpathan #irfanretired pic.twitter.com/h3vQ8Ttd4w
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 4, 2020
Was such a joy to see #IrfanPathan evolve from a aspiring 17yr old cricketer when I first saw him into a mature International Cricketer. You can be very proud of what u have achieved not only as a cricketer but also in mentoring young cricketers from J&K. A very happy 2nd innings pic.twitter.com/T63yF3G7z7
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 4, 2020
Always tough to call it a day but you have made a right decision @IrfanPathan mate. I can assure you👍 so many old memories with you from our U19 days to Team India. Best wishes for your second innings in commentary box and beyond. #IrfanPathan pic.twitter.com/O4FHPeeYvs
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 4, 2020
It has been such a pleasure playing with u since we were only 14..hard to believe 21 years have gone by…thank you @IrfanPathan for all the memories..congratulations on a wonderful career..enjoy the new chapter of your life… pic.twitter.com/2jUZtnqq2P
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) January 4, 2020
Congratulations on an excellent career @IrfanPathan . Man of the Match in the T20 World Cup finals and some outstanding performances over the years. Wishing you some amazing time at commentary, photography and a lot more. Stay Blessed ! pic.twitter.com/aFv1lHiYxR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 4, 2020
@IrfanPathan it's been pleasure & joy sharing the dressing room with you.
The way you have evolved & evolving is inspiration for youngsters. pic.twitter.com/owKMLBmb02— RAMESH POWAR (@imrameshpowar) January 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/Lbalaji55/status/1213462275719172096
Welcome to the club @IrfanPathan . Best of left arm swing bowlers our Nation has produced. Hat-trick against Pakistan, contribution with both bat & ball in 2007 T20 WC, Australia, Srilanka series e.t.c are still fresh. Time flies.. Wishing all the luck for your next phase buddy. pic.twitter.com/4IZZ5RUBML
— VenuGopala Rao (@IMVenuGopalRao) January 4, 2020
A true gentleman on and off the field @IrfanPathan bhai , wish you all the very best irfan bhai, very proud to share the dressing room with you .A true gem😊
— Sheldon Jackson (@ShelJackson27) January 4, 2020
This @IrfanPathan is History. Man of the Match in Finals of WT20 2007, Irfan Pathan. Thank you for all the amazing memories. Looking forward to see you around the sport. #IrfanPathan #ThankyouIrfan @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/ktI22wIDjL
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) January 4, 2020
Congratulations @IrfanPathan on an excellent career. So many landmarks, so many highlights. Remember the wide eyed young man at the breakfast table in Australia growing to play a key role in so many memorable moments for India. Tab gend bolti thi ab zubaan bolegi! Mubarak.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2020
Well played @IrfanPathan 👏👏 all the best for your second innings
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 4, 2020
Congratulations on ur wonderful cricket journey @IrfanPathan bhai god bless u always 😊🙌🇮🇳
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) January 4, 2020
Irfan Pathan's hat-tricks for India:
In Under-15: vs Thailand in ACC Trophy, 2000
In Under-19: vs Bangladesh in Youth Asia Cup, 2003
In Test Cricket: vs Pakistan in Karachi, 2006#ThankYouIrfan #ThankYouIrfanPathan— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 4, 2020
Congratulations @IrfanPathan for a fantastic international career.
-Hat-trick in the first over v Pakistan at Karachi
-Player of the Match in the final of WT20 2007
-All-round performance at Perth in 2008
A few memories that stand out
All the best for the next phase of life 🤗— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 4, 2020
It was not just your contribution in the middle but also your conduct.. The way you carried yourself through the most adverse moments of life @IrfanPathan that makes you a champion. Many Congratulations on a glorious career #irfanpathan !! One filled with respect & resolve.
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) January 4, 2020
