'I'm getting there' - Irfan Pathan

In the following interview, which appeared in May issue of Wisden Asia Cricket, Irfan Pathan talks about his experiences in his brief international career so far.

Irfan Pathan led the Indian attack in Pakistan © Getty Images Enlarge

Did you expect to be bowling the first over for India so soon?
Not so soon, to tell you honestly. I knew that next year or next season, my time would come. To play for Baroda, that was my dream when I was young. I didn't think too much, but I knew that if I did well in the season ahead, I would definitely play for India. But not so fast.

Where were you when you learned about the selection for the Australian tour?
I was sleeping at home. Next day I had a Ranji Trophy match. The team was declared around 1.30am. I waited till around 12, then hit the bed. My mother woke me up; she was delighted. Some of my friends came and we had a little party. I offered special prayers. Went to the mosque, talked to my family and friends, then went to play the Ranji match. I was taking it one thing at a time, so I concentrated hard on that match.

Where do you think you've improved since playing for India?
I was bowling too many wides in one-day matches in Australia. I was getting swing, because essentially I am a swing bowler, but there were too many wides. I worked on that because in crucial matches it's very important not to bowl no-balls and wides. I would bowl a one-stump line for 30-45 minutes.

When did you first bowl with a new ball? Did you always have the ability to swing it into the right-hander?
The first time I took the new ball I was 11 or 12, and even then I had natural swing. But I didn't really know how to swing the ball, what the criteria were. I was just running in and bowling, the ball was pitching on off and ending up on leg. I asked the senior players what was going on. So many senior players and coaches helped me out.

How about the one that goes the other way?
That's an area I worked on in Australia quite a lot, and I am working here as well. Wasim Akram helped me a lot in this area. I still have to work a lot on it, but I am confident I will get there with effort and time.

Were you intimidated bowling to the Australian batting line-up?
Actually, after bowling to them my confidence was going up because I was playing against them for the first time and I knew they are a tough side. I learned a lot. They always give you a chance to get them out because they play their shots freely. You have to remember that you have to bowl consistently well to them - bowl a good line with decent swing and try the odd variation.

Talk us through that Gilchrist delivery.
That was actually because it was the last spell of the day. I had a feeling that if I got one ball in the right area, I definitely had a chance because I was getting some reverse swing as well. But I have to forget that and move ahead now.

How big is the difference between domestic or A-team cricket and international cricket?
Very big difference. You can get wickets or you can get away with a bad ball in U-19 and first-class cricket, but in international cricket you have to be very consistent. If you bowl a bad ball, you are going to get smacked for a boundary or a six.

Did you enjoy taking the new ball on the Pakistan tour?
Yes I did. But I had it in my mind that when I first came into the side it was as a first-change bowler. I know there are seniors in the team who are good, who have done very well for a long time for the country. It's just that they have a few injury problems, which is why I am bowling with the new ball. When you are playing for India, whatever the captain asks you to do, you have to be comfortable with that.

You come from a family of muezzins. Are you yourself very religious?
Yes. I try to do namaz five times, but it's not always possible. I do kaza. If you are struggling for time and miss namaz then you can come back and pray. That's kaza. I do that.

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