Cricket: Pathan's push

Dubai: Relations between India and Pakistan, be it on the sports fields or off them, may be strained but Irfan Pathan is hopeful that the two cricket giants may get the opportunity to tackle each other in the UAE in the near future.

Cricket here has blossomed in recent times and so have the pitches, especially in Dubai. Last year saw the opening of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Sports City and earlier this week, The Sevens, owned by Emirates, unveiled their own cricket facilities which once fully complete will boast six pitches.

Pathan, who has played a role in several thrilling battles between India and Pakistan was present at the launch event on behalf of his Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab whom Emirates sponsor.

Going back in time

And speaking to XPRESS, the India all-rounder said: "I grew up watching Sharjah cricket. I remember we didn't have a TV at home and we used to go to someone else's house to watch India-Pakistan games. It used to be lot of fun. I never tasted that.

"Looking to the future, it all depends on the ICC, BCCI and the boards and what they decide. But if they did decide [to hold a series], I think it will be a big thing."

The 25-year-old Pathan was a notable omission from India's list of 30 probables for April's World Twenty20 Championship in the West Indies. But he believes too much has been read into his back injury which is thought to have led to his exclusion.

"Not being selected, being selected is part and parcel of the game. But I'm surprised at some of the people making news about my fitness," said Pathan.

"Maybe they haven't got the proper communication from me. I'm not saying the media is highlighting it but someone is.

"Somewhere down the line something is not right, because if I'm fit to play the IPL, then I'm fit to play any other tournament that comes after IPL. I'm just missing one or two games maximum," he added.

Then does he believe a good showing in the IPL might propel the selectors to rethink their decision? "I'm not thinking on that line. Whatever has been done and dusted is done and dusted.

"You just need to go forward and this is what I've done. I've been like that throughout my whole life and in my cricket career as well.

"I'm a fighter and I'll keep on fighting. I've done that before as well, it's not that it's happening for the first time," said Pathan, revealing he has found support in the form of his half-elder brother Yusuf who is on the 30-man list.

"Obviously as a brother he feels [for me] as you know how it is.

"But he told me, ‘You don't need to say much, keep playing and everything will fall into place, trust in yourself, trust in God and inshallah all will be fine'," said the younger Pathan.