Irfan Pathan, Former Indian all-rounder couldn’t contain his admiration for Mohammed Siraj‘s extraordinary performance in the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. Mohammed Siraj‘s mesmerizing spell dismantled the Proteas’ batting lineup, showcasing his prowess with a sensational six-wicket haul – 6/15, marking his best figures in Test cricket.
Pathan was effusive in his praise, remarking that he had never witnessed a spell quite like Siraj’s. On Star Sports, he highlighted Siraj’s impeccable rhythm and remarkable precision with his fuller-length deliveries, which troubled the South African batters significantly. In an unbroken nine-over spell, Siraj exploited the pitch conditions, swinging the ball both ways, resulting in South Africa’s dismal total of 55 runs – their lowest Test score post-readmission.
Dean Elgar, standing in as the South African captain, emphasized the importance of a strong start as they aimed to defend their 1-0 lead in the series. However, it was India that dictated the morning’s play, capitalizing on a pitch offering significant bounce and seam movement. The Indian paceman’s relentless performance drew Pathan’s admiration for his crafty use of outswingers, especially in setting up the centurion from the previous game, Dean Elgar.
Irfan Pathan impressed with the bowling of Mohammed Siraj
Irfan Pathan was having an interaction with Star Sports and analyzed the gameplan of Mohammed Siraj in the 2nd innings against South Africa. Irfan Pathan stated that Siraj bowled quite wicket to wicket and hardly gave any room to the batters which resulted in a dramatic collapse.
“Siraj’s outswing worked really well today. The days where his outswing clicks, Siraj’s bowling does wonders. The bowling was relentless. When he bowled the first over to Dean Elgar, he did not bowl outside of off stump. Siraj attacked his body, bowled bouncers to him and just when Elgar went into his shell, he bowled on the off side and forced Elgar into a mistake. The planning was stunning today,”said Irfan Pathan.
The commentary team marveled at Siraj’s impressive use of outswingers, acknowledging the impact of his relentless and well-planned bowling. He induced discomfort and uncertainty among the South African batsmen, eventually leading to their downfall. The display of seam movement and disciplined bowling by Siraj put India in a commanding position early in the match. Pathan was particularly impressed with Siraj’s ability to use the conditions to his advantage and set up key batsmen strategically.
The sensational performance by Mohammed Siraj in the Cape Town Test not only showcased his immense talent but also set a new benchmark in his Test career, earning accolades from pundits and former cricketers like Irfan Pathan.