1. 105 in 70 balls Vs South Africa at Centurion in 2011 It was the series decider at the Centurion in 2011. South Africa, courtesy a brilliant hundred from opener Hashim Amla posted a competitive 250. India’s target was revised to 268 in 46 overs courtesy rain intervention. The South African pacers led by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel reduced India to 60 for 5 when Yusuf Pathan walked out to bat. India kept losing wickets and were staring down the barrel at 119 for 8 before a sensational counter-attack by Pathan almost took them to the brink of victory.
He smashed a breathtaking 105 off just 70 deliveries including 8 fours and as many sixes against one of the best fast bowling attacks in the world in their own backyard. India were finally bowled out for 234 in the 41st over but not before Pathan had given South Africa a real run for their money in what was one of the best solo performances by an Indian batsman in ODI cricket.
2. 125 not out Vs New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2010 It was the fourth ODI between India and New Zealand at Bengaluru in 2010. India had already wrapped up the series and were 3-0 up in the five-match series. New Zealand posted a massive 315 for the loss of 7 wickets with James Franklin top-scoring with 98 off just 69 deliveries.
Yusuf Pathan walked out to bat with India in a spot of bother at 108 for 4 in the 20th over – they had lost too many wickets and were also behind in the run rate. What followed was the Yusuf Pathan show. He smashed a brilliant unbeaten 123 off just 96 deliveries including 7 fours and as many sixes taking India to a thumping five-wicket win in the 49th over. Pathan put together an 80-run stand for the fifth-wicket with Rohit Sharma and an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 133 with Saurabh Tiwary.3. 3-22 in 4 overs & 56 (39 balls)
Rajasthan Royals Vs Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai (IPL Final 2008) It was the big final of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008 between favourites Chennai Super Kings and underdogs Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai. Yusuf Pathan was the pick of the bowlers for the Royals as three timely interventions by him meant that Super Kings could not capitalize on a good start and kept losing a wicket whenever a partnership started to flourish. Pathan saw the back of Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, Parthiv Patel and the dangerous Albie Morkel. The off spinner was also very restrictive conceding just 22 runs in his 4 overs. It was largely due to his efforts that the Super Kings could not run away with the match and were restricted to a par total of 163 for 5 in their 20 overs.
But Pathan was not done! He came out to bat with the Royals in trouble at 42 for 3 in the seventh over. Pathan counter-attacked with a brilliant 56 off just 39 deliveries hammering three fours and four sixes during the course of his match-winning innings. He top-scored for the Royals and by the time he was dismissed had taken taken them to 143 in the 18th over. The lower-order of the Royals held their nerve to take their side to a thrilling three-wicket win off the last delivery of their innings! Yusuf Pathan was the hero, both with the bat and the ball.
