Yusuf Pathan has been heavily criticised in the recent years for not living up to the expectations in the international cricket.
Tuesday was his time to silence his critics when he led the Indian side to a victory against the visitors http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at the silicon valley of India, Bangalore. A performance of this calibre is not something new for Yusuf Pathan. He is known to play like
this for his Indian Premiere League, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals. India now lead the series 4-0 and are certainly looking for a series whitewash.
Pathan, the younger brother of the Indian left-arm fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601 proved to be the trump card in the Indian side. Yusuf Pathan scored his maiden One day International century in a superb display of aggressive batting and took 3 wickets.
When Yusuf Pathan arrived at the crease, the home side was in doldrums and needed him to produce a gem of an innings. Yusuf did produce that innings of a life time to seal the deal for the home side. He ended up with 123 not out with 7 fours and 7 sixes.
He was named man of the match for his heroics. Pathan is now considered as an integral part of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s world cup squad and a lot more will be expected from him.
Indian Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 won the toss and elected to field. The kiwi openers played in a very aggressive manner and scored all around the park.
The opening stand of 62 runs was broken by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashish-Nehra-c46293 in the 9th over of the innings when he dismissed Martin Guptill. Jamie How and Brendon McCullum soon followed. Later on, the kiwi middle order showed some good resilience and batted well.
The Indian bowlers were having no luck against their batting. James Franklin who is better known for his bowling played a magical innings. His innings were well crafted and aided New Zealand to post a huge total of 315 runs in the allotted 50 overs. James
Franklin remained unbeaten on 98. Franklin hit 12 fours and 3 sixes in his quick fire innings.
With a good total on the board, the visitors fancied their chances of finally registering a win in the series. But Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Parthiv-Patel-c2159 displayed some good aggressive batting at the start of the run chase.
India lost two wickets in the 10th over of their innings when Gambhir and Kohli well victim to Andy McKay.
After the dismissal of Yuvraj Singh, the onus fell on the broad shoulders of Yusuf Pathan. Yusuf Pathan batted to perfection and led India to victory from an improbably position.
Pathan was well supported by Saurabh Tiwary who kept on scoring runs from the other end and played a good supporting role. Saurabh Tiwary scored 37 not out as India cruised to victory in the 49th over.
To sum it up, the crowd at Bangalore got full value for money. It was James Franklin who entertained them in the first innings and late on Yusuf Pathan stole the show.
Tags: