What do you do after setting a world record. Well, if you are Irfan Pathan you just go out and do some shopping! That is precisely what the Baroda speeedster did when contacted the 18-year-old in Lahore late yesterday evening. Pathan went shopping soon after his feat for ‘‘remembrance.’’ Finally when the India hopeful came on the line, he was pleasantly surprised when told that he had set a world record. ‘‘Is that true? I didn’t know about it. Only thing I thought was that it was good to get nine wickets and help the team reach the final,’’ he said. Recalling those moments after the match, Pathan revealed there were a few hugs and congratulations but everything else was quite normal. ‘‘Sab Allah ka shukr hai (Everything is because of Allah). To thank Him, I did a namaaz and, more importantly, also called home. They are also very happy.’’ But what about the teammates? ‘‘No, no there were no parties or anything.’’ The junior series conceptualised by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has been a dream for Pathan, who had finished among the top wicket-takers in the Academy tri-series. Pathan also realises that since he has played more cricket — Ranji under-19 and under-23 — than his teammates there is more pressure on him. ‘‘Robin Sir told me in Mumbai (before the team left) that I need to help my team by using my experience. I am happy I could do that.’’ That pep talk helped as the Baroda lad has even started playing a few useful knocks with the bat and has used the long handle to good effect. In fact, his knock made all the difference in the crunch game against hosts Pakistan. ‘‘Bowling is always my priority, but I wanted to concentrate on my batting as well. I am glad it has been coming good.’’ But, as Pathan says, his job is only half done. ‘‘If I can repeat that effort in the final against Lanka on Thursday and help the team win the trophy, then my job will be complete,’’ he said. Besides the title win tomorrow, the Baroda lad has another dream on his wishlist: Meeting his idol Wasim Akram. ‘‘For the moment, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.’’ The nine jewels in pathan’s crown Naeem Islam c Karthik b Pathan First ball of their innings was wide of the off-stump and he just left it alone. The second ball too was very wide, but it came back in sharply and surprises him. He was cramped and Dinesh (’keeper) did the rest. Nafis Iqbal b Pathan Just a ball before this he hit me for a four. The very next ball he was bowled between bat and pad. Was I happy! Najimuddin c Shukla b Pathan This ball was pitched up. The batsman fell for the bait and ended up scooping a catch to point. Rubaiyat Haq b Pathan Again I pitched up but this time it was an inswinger which was horribly misjudged by the batsman. Kamrul Islam b Pathan It was an action replay of Rubaiyat’s dismissal. Arafat Sunny lbw b Pathan The batsman played back to a ball which was pitched up and was plumb leg before. Sagir Hossain c Karthik b Pathan I tried to soften up the tailender with a short ball. He tried to defend but only ended edging it behind the stumps. Ziaur Rahman b Pathan He tried playing like a true batsman! Shouldered arms and was shattered to see his stumps flying. Shahadat Hossain b Pathan This was the ’trick ball. Again the ball crept through the gap between the bat and pad. I just ran to grab a stump.
