Yusuf Pathan was the standout performer with the bat for the Joburg Buffaloes against the Durban Qalandars, with his exceptional batting display in the first qualifier of the ongoing Zimbabwe-Afro T10 league in Harare on Friday, July 28. His innings took the Buffaloes directly into the final of the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Tasked with chasing a target of 142, Pathan turned back the clock with his powerful batting performance. He scored an unbeaten 80 runs in just 26 deliveries at an exceptional strike rate of 307.69, including 8 sixes and 5 fours to his name. His innings powered the Joburg Buffaloes into the final match of the season.
Pathan had a slow start to the match, scoring 19 runs from 12 balls. However, he exploded midway through the innings, especially in the final three overs. The 40-year-old also smashed the Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir for 25 runs in the eighth over to guide his team to victory.
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In the inaugural edition of this T10 tournament, Pathan has scored 187 runs in eight matches, boasting a strike rate of 207.77. In this match in particular, the Durban Qalandars, after being put to bat first, managed to score 140/4 in 10 overs. Andre Fletcher was the top scorer with 39 runs from 14 balls, while Asif Ali and Nick Welch contributed 32* (12) and 24* (9) respectively.
For the Buffaloes' side, Noor Ahmed claimed two wickets, and Blessing Muzarabani and Victory Nyauchi each claimed one.
Having now reached the final, the Buffaloes will face the same rivals once again on Saturday evening after the Durban Qalandars pushed aside their disappointment from Qualifier 1 to beat the Harare Hurricanes and reach the final. However, it might take a colossal effort from the team to beat their opponents Joburg Buffaloes a second time.
Yusuf Pathan and his Glory Days
Yusuf Pathan is renowned for holding the record for the fastest century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by an Indian player. While representing Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in 2010, he scored a century in just 37 balls. His innings included eight sixes and nine fours at a strike rate of 270.
Over his IPL career, Pathan has played in 174 matches, scoring 3204 runs and taking 42 wickets. He is a three-time IPL champion, winning with Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014.
Pathan was also a member of the Indian teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup. The 40-year-old has represented India in 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is.
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