IND vs SL 2023: Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan make appearance together as experts during first T20I

Former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan made an appearance on Star Sports’ guest panel for the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka. The former all-rounder joined Irfan Pathan, former India all-rounder, and his brother, in the panel. India and Sri Lanka locked horns at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the first T20I of the three-match series.

The Pathan brothers batted together during India’s game against Sri Lanka in Colombo back in 2009, a game that many Indian fans remember. They helped India clinch a three-wicket victory in the final over with just four balls remaining while chasing a 172-run target in the T20I, and Yusuf Pathan bagged the Player of the Match award for his heroics with both the bat and the ball.

Almost 14 years down the line, the two brothers are witnessing an India vs Sri Lanka fixture, but as experts in the game. The duo has had some memorable outings against the Islanders, and some of their finest performances came against Sri Lanka. Thus, being on the expert panel together surely is a special moment for them.

Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel take India to a decent total

Speaking of the ongoing game, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ishan Kishan provided India with a terrific start but Sri Lanka drew the first blood by dismissing debutant Shubman Gill early. The in-form Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson too could not have an impact in the game as were dismissed cheaply.

Skipper Hardik Pandya played a decent knock, but India reached a defendable total because of Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel’s heroics. The two all-rounders shared a magnificent 68-run partnership in 36 deliveries for the sixth wicket and wreaked havoc on the field. Hooda’s unbeaten 23-ball 41* and Patel’s unbeaten 20-ball 31 took India to 162/5 in the first innings.

India had been struggling at 94/5 after Pandya’s wicket at the start of the 15^th over, but the two all-rounders fired up and kept India in contention to win the opening contest.

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