Pathan powers India to victory

Yusuf Pathan produced an innings of great magic under tremendous pressure in the fourth one-dayer against New Zealand, making light of a daunting target, a rare top-order failure and an hour’s interruption for rain to bring up his maiden century.

The Baroda right-hander’s unconquered 123, off just 96 balls with seven fours and seven sixes, helped the hosts comfortably overhaul New Zealand’s daunting 315 for seven in a match that, for all practical purposes, was of little more than academic interest.

India had already sealed the series coming into this match, but that made no impression on Pathan. It was as if he was a man on a mission, determined to prove to the men who matter that he deserves his place in the World Cup squad.

His beautifully paced innings put to shade an equally well-crafted essay in the afternoon by James Franklin, who made an unbeaten 98, as India stormed to 321 for five with seven deliveries to spare, the five-wicket triumph giving Gautam Gambhir’s men a whopping 4-0 advantage with one match to play.

Pathan’s innings was of two parts. The first half was methodically constructed alongside Rohit Sharma when India needed to consolidate after losing four for 108; the second was breathtakingly aggressive, comprising a plethora of fours and sixes as Saurabh Tiwary enjoyed the entertainment from the best seat in the stadium.

Not all seats were taken, given that India had secured the series and that the big boys were missing, but close to 25,000 people still turned up. Franklin provided the early entertainment, and not even the rain delay dampened the fans’ enthusiasm as they waited patiently for hostilities to resume with India on 203 for five in 36 overs.