Legends League Cricket: Irfan Pathan rolls back the clock with two wickets of Pakistan batters in his first over

Former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan picked two wickets in his first over of the Legends League Cricket in the opening game of the tournament. Pathan is representing India Maharajas and took two wickets of Asia Lions players – Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammed Yousuf. The left-arm bowler came into bowl the 10th over of the innings when the scorecard read 77/2. He gave away only three runs and took the wickets of two former Pakistan batting greats.

On the first ball of his over, Hafeez tried to cut the ball towards the point region but the ball took the outside edge and carried to Munaf Patel at short third man. He took his second wicket on the fourth ball when Yousuf tried to play the ball towards third man but could only edge it to the wicket-keeper Naman Ojha.

Notably, when Pathan took the famous Test hattrick against Pakistan in 2006, Yousuf was his third victim. He couldn’t keep out the late in-swinger from the left-armer and his stumps were shattered. Coming back to his performance against Asia Lions, the 37-year-old bowled with an economy of 5.50 as he gave away only 22 runs in his four-over spell. He also played a cameo of unbeaten 21 runs off just 10 balls. His spell certainly rolled back the clock after he accounted for two Pakistan batters in his very first over of the game.

Here’s the video:

pic.twitter.com/yXNozQE8c7

— Sports Hustle (@SportsHustle3) January 20, 2022

Irfan Pathan dismissing Mohammad Yousuf. pic.twitter.com/NW8DC2HMwR

— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) January 20, 2022

India Maharajas beat Asia Lions in the tournament opener

India started their campaign with a win over Asia Lions by six wickets and five balls to spare. Batting first, the Misbah-ul-Haq led side posted 175/7 in their 20 overs. Former Sri Lanka skipper Upul Tharanga scored 66 runs off just 46 balls with sevn fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 143.47. Misbah also chipped in with 44 off 30 with one boundary and four hits over the ropes. For India, Manpreet Gony took three wickets while Stuart Binny and Munaf Patel took one apiece.

In reply, the Mohammad Kaif-led side had a poor start as they lost the wickets of Naman Ojha (20), Stuart Binny (10) and S. Badrinath (0) early. They were tottering at 34/3 at on stage. Yusuf Pathan (80 off 40) and Kaif (42*) stitched a partnership of 117 runs to ensure their team goes over the line with ease. Both the team will locks horns again on January 24 in the return fixture.