Irfan Pathan Archives

Former India all-rounder picks Pakistan as T20 World Cup semi-finalist

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has predicted that Pakistan would reach the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.

Irfan’s unveiled his choice on Star Sports, alongside several other Indian cricketers, who also named their semi-finalists team for the mega event.

Among the panel comprising former Indian cricketers — Robin Uthappa, Anil Kumble, Aakash Chopra, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina,
only Irfan Pathan included Pakistan in his list of teams expected to reach the last four.

Besides, Pakistan, the all-rounder chose Australia, India and England to reach the semi-final.

The marquee event will run until March 8, featuring 20 teams competing across a packed schedule of 55 matches, including the semi-finals and final.

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The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage, where the race to the knockout rounds will intensify.

The opening match of the marquee event is scheduled between Pakistan and the Netherlands in Colombo.

Pakistan is drawn into Group A alongside India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia, with their all matches scheduled in Sri Lanka as per hybrid model.

Pakistan will play their second fixture against the USA on 10 February, followed by the highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India, set to be held on 15 February in Colombo.

The winner of the 2009 edition, last group stage match will be against Namibia on 18 February.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan World Cup fixtures

Pakistan vs Netherlands: February 7, Colombo

Pakistan vs USA: February 10, Colombo

Pakistan vs India: February 15, Colombo

Pakistan vs Namibia: February 18, Colombo

READ: Pakistan-Australia T20I series trophy unveiled

Irfan Pathan backs THIS bowler as India’s next pace star

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has thrown his support behind left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, identifying him as a bowler who could become a vital part of India’s pace arsenal in the coming years.

In an interview with Indian media, Pathan hailed Arshdeep Singh as the country’s premier white-ball fast bowler but stressed the importance of building a strong backup.

He believes Khaleel, with his pace, swing, and improved control, fits the bill perfectly.

“Arshdeep is undoubtedly India’s No.1 bowler in white-ball cricket,” Pathan said.

“But after him, if we’re talking about someone who has the skills, it’s Khaleel. As a left-arm fast bowler, you need to hit 135-140 kph, swing the ball both ways, and use the bouncer effectively. Khaleel ticks all those boxes and is getting better.”

The 40-year-old highlighted the progress Khaleel has made in recent seasons, pointing out refinements in his seam position, the addition of a sharper, slower bouncer, and significant fitness improvements.

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“He has the potential to play at his peak now and for the next four to five years. It’s about being in the right place at the right time and delivering in key moments,” Pathan noted.

“He also had a very good season with CSK, and being in that environment helps. Hopefully, he’ll make it big in the next five to six years.”

Khaleel, 27, last represented India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2023, where he went wicketless.

Overall, he has 16 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 35.12.

Since then, he has revived his career through consistent IPL performances, finishing the 2024 season with 15 wickets in 14 games for Chennai Super Kings at an average of 29.80.

READ: Madushanka joins Malinga, Vaas in elite club with ODI hat-trick

Former pacer questions Virat Kohli’s place in Indian team

Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has questioned the position of star batter Virat Kohli in the national cricket team due to his prolonged struggle in red-ball cricket.

Kohli has faced criticism recently due to his disappointing performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. While he did score a century in the first Test, which India won in Perth, he has since posted a series of low scores: 7, 11, 3, 36, and 5.

Irfan Pathan, during a discussion on Star Sports after India’s defeat in the fourth Test, criticised Kohli for his performances in red-ball cricket in the last five years.

“It’s been five years. You are such a big player, and your average in the last five years has been close to 28,” said Pathan. “Does Indian cricket deserve this? Absolutely not. They deserve better than this.”

“He has an average of 21 since October 2023. The Indian team doesn’t deserve that. Even a young player will give you an average of 21.

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“You expect more than this from Virat Kohli. If your career average is close to 50, these are numbers to be ashamed of.”

Pathan elaborated on the concerning trend of Kohli’s dismissals in the ongoing series, drawing attention to how often the batter has succumbed to balls pitched outside the off-stump.

“If you look at his dismissals, all the balls were outside the stumps. If you don’t touch them, the balls will go to the wicket-keeper, and the bowler will definitely try something else,” he stated.

“Good players increase the gap between two similar mistakes. Virat is making similar mistakes repeatedly. Australia are not even moving from Plan A to Plan B. He is getting out to Plan A itself.”

READ: 2024 — a rollercoaster year for Pakistan cricket

Irfan Pathan furious over England players leaving IPL for Pakistan series

Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has lashed out at England players over their early exit from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to partake in the T20I series against Pakistan.

Pathan took to his official X account and criticised English players, urging them to complete their full commitment. “Either be available for full season or don’t come!” Irfan Pathan posted.

Either be available for full season or don’t come!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 15, 2024

Prior to Pathan, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar also echoed similar sentiments, demanding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take action and penalise the players for pulling off from the playoff stages of the IPL.

“I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don’t earn in a few seasons with their country,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day.

“The franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a substantial amount from the fee that the player was bought for but also not give the Board, to which the player belongs, the stated 10 per cent commission of the fee that each player gets.”

England are set to play a four-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting from May 22 at Headingley.

England squad for Pakistan series and T20 World Cup

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (vc), Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

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