Pathan strikes form !

Y Pathan never struck form in ODIs or T20s for India, though he had played some sterling knocks in IPL matches. But yesterday was the day when he struck form.

The hour findeth the man and Y Pathan was the man of the hour. In a great display of scintillating batting, Pathan blasted 7 sixes and 7 fours in a great matchwinning innings of 123 not out.

India were 188/5, needing 316, when S Tiwari walked in to partner Pathan. An unconquered 133 partnership between the two saw India home.

Earlier, a glorious innings by Franklin ( 98 no ) saw NZ finishing at 315/7. The NZ batsmen, away from pressure, attacked the Indian bowlers and 315 is a good score indeed.

India lost two quick wickets, that of the inform Gambhir and Kohli at 68. Yuvraj was out when the score was 103 and Parthiv Patel was out for 53, when the score was 108. Rohit scored a useful 44, but then holed out to Vettori and the score was an abysmal 188.

Then the great partnership began. Tiwari was 37 no off 39 balls, with 2 fours and a six. Pathan's blazing ton, 123 no, was off 96 balls, with seven fours and seven sixes.

Indians are glad Pathan has struck form. His potential is now acutalised and we expect more such thunderous innings from him. As for the young Tiwari, he has withstood immense pressure and came out with flying colors !