Legendary Irfan Pathan Opens Up About Mentoring Young Players at Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10

One of the legends of Indian cricket, Irfan Pathan has been in good form during the ongoing inaugural edition of the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10. Turning out for the Harare Hurricanes, who are led by the former England captain Eoin Morgan, the Indian all-rounder has played a couple of game-changing hands for his side.

Irfan, who comes with plenty of experience in terms of franchise and white-ball cricket, spoke at length about the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10, noting that it is one of the best things to have happened to the Zimbabwean cricket calendar.

“It (Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10) is so good for Zimbabwe cricket. And what I saw, especially with the crowd, I love coming to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is one of my favorite places to come and play because I've had some fond memories playing for India here. When I see the happiness around the people. I just feel so good because everywhere you go on the field of the field at this stadium, people are smiling. So, when you when you see that you. Always want good for them,” Irfan said.

The ace Indian all-rounder further added, “Matches like these and a tournament like the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 will help Zimbabwe cricket to grow because every team needs to play a certain number of Zimbabwean players, young players, so that will eventually help the Zimbabwean cricket. Zimbabwe cricket will definitely reap the benefit of this tournament and set-up.” 

The very well-travelled and experienced Irfan also opened up about how a tournament such as the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 will benefit the younger players from the Zimbabwean cricket family. The always smiling Irfan, remember, broke into the Indian team at the age of 19, and was very quickly drawing comparisons to the likes of the legendary Wasim Akram.

He said, “I have always felt that what youngsters need is not so much of technical analysis, especially at that time when the game is moving so fast, but you just need to put an arm around them and give them couple of words to boost their confidence. But, make sure that you help make them a leader. Don't tell them what to do, but make a situation for them, where you actually allow them to lift the game and I personally think this is what I can do as a senior player.”

Understandably, given the experience that Irfan has behind him, there is plenty of insight that players can take from him, and the southpaw touched upon how he felt was the best way to tackle the fastest format in the game.

“I have never played T10 before, so it is a challenge for me. But you need to be fearless in this format, like fearless in the sense that if you get out trying to hit big sixes and you get out like that in a couple of games, in the third game when you come back, you need to do the same thing. So, it's all about trusting your abilities. It's all about coming back every day and making sure you can add value to your team. This is what I'll say to another player as well – always keep coming back with the same effort,” Irfan signed off.