'Scored 63* in my last Test against Steyn and Morkel' - Irfan Pathan feels he didn't get enough opportunities despite performing well

Irfan Pathan should’ve played more for India. Almost every fan and the cricket expert feels the same when they look at his numbers in international cricket. Despite playing his last match at the highest in 2012, the all-rounder kept on playing in the domestic arena waiting for that elusive call-up to the national side. But the selectors never considered him again and eventually, he retired from the game earlier this year in January.

Hailing from Baroda, Irfan Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20Is for India and went on to pick 301 wickets. But Greg Chappell spotted the batting talent in him and he should be credited for the runs he scored in his career. Rather a fan pointed out on Twitter on Saturday that Irfan batted well in his final game of all formats and also hinted at India missing out on a great all-rounder in him.

According to the fan’s tweet, the left-hander scored 64* (21* and 43*) in his last Test against South Africa in 2008, 29* in ODI against Sri Lanka in 2012 batting at eight and 31 (while opening) in his last batting innings against Australia in T20I in 2012. Irfan Pathan actually played his last T20I against South Africa in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

. @IrfanPathan's batting🏏in last innings in each format:

Test: Apr 5,2008 vs SA🇿🇦
Batted @ 7
1st innings : 21* (top scorer)
2nd innings: 43*

ODI: Aug 4,2012 vs SL🇱🇰
Batted at 8
Runs:29*

T20I: Sep 28,2012 vs AUS🇦🇺
Batted as opener
Runs:31 (top scorer)

It's our🇮🇳missfortune💔 pic.twitter.com/9TxFAG9IR4

— Amal Sudhakaran 🏏 (@amal_sachinism) May 16, 2020

Irfan Pathan comes across the tweet and responds

The fan clearly wanted to highlight Irfan Pathan’s batting prowess. And when the man himself came across the tweet, he couldn’t stop himself from lamenting over the lack of opportunities. He reiterated the fact that he scored 63* (64* to be precise) in his last Test facing the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and was still dropped from the team after that match.

“If you are playing as an all-rounder n score 63 not out in a test match against the likes of Steyn n Morkel then it would turn out to be your last game,” Irfan tweeted in response to the fan’s tweet.

If you are playing as an all rounder n score 63 not out in a test match againts the likes of Steyn n Morkel thn it would turn out to be your last game…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2020

The game was played in Ahmedabad when India were bowled out for just 76 runs in the first innings. He was the top-scorer for the hosts in the first innings with an unbeaten 21 and also scored an unbeaten 43 in the second essay. But he didn’t pick a wicket with the ball after delivering 21.2 overs.