Hyderabad, Feb 6: Yusuf Pathan is well known to produce the goods when it matters most. In the IPL-2, He chased down the target in the super-over making 16 runs off four balls. On Saturday, with West Zone chasing a 536-run world record target to win the Duleep Trophy, Yusuf showed his mettle and played perhaps his best innings, making his maiden double century in the process.Remaining unbeaten on a scintillating 210, Yusuf steered West Zone to a sensational win as they scored 541 for seven to lift the Duleep Trophy for the 16th time on an eventful final day's play.
The chase was the highest successful run chase in the history of first-class cricket.Riding on three chances, C Ganapathy being the lose twice, Yusuf played the innings his team needed. He built on his 84 runs score from yesterday and was ably supported by Pinal Shah who made 16 and then by Ramesh Powar who made 18 invaluable runs.Shah’s innings was sedate and he stood like a rock while the Baroda marauder let loose on the hapless South Zone bowlers.
Shah eventually departed after being judged lbw to Alfred Absolem, but not after his partnership with Yusuf produced 105 runs.Powar was more aggressive in his approach enabling Yusuf to let loose with successive sixes off the bowling of Rohan Prem. He finished the match with a six off Aravind, setting a world record run chase in the process.Yusuf’s 210 came off just 190 balls with 19 fours and an astounding 10 sixes at a strike rate of more than 110.