In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Indian batting sensation Yusuf Pathan propelled the Joburg Buffaloes into the final of the Zim Zim Afro T10, held at the Harare Sports Club. Facing the Durban Qalandars in the Qualifier 1, Pathan’s unbeaten 80 off just 26 deliveries, including 8 sixes and five boundaries, proved to be the cornerstone of the Buffaloes’ victory.
Addressing his performance, Pathan remarked, “Chasing a target of 140 runs, you don’t think of anything else. You need to be calm and go for the big hits, be the man for the team. This innings was one of my special performances for sure.”
The joyous celebrations that followed the win were further enriched for Pathan, as his son witnessed the momentous occasion from the royal box. Expressing his emotions, Yusuf stated, “This was a very special moment for sure. I wanted my son to see this and feel proud of his father. Hopefully, he gets inspired by these scenes and goes on to play for India someday.”
Pathan, fondly called ‘Shumba’ (Lion) by his teammates, highlighted the collective effort of the squad in reaching the final. He took it upon himself to motivate the young Zimbabwean players, and their impressive performances have left him pleased, considering their bright prospects.
Emphasizing the role of senior players, Pathan said, “We, as seniors, are responsible for giving confidence to the young guns. Their performance in crucial matches takes us forward, and when they perform well under difficult conditions, it bodes well for their career. We learned the same from our seniors when we were young.”
The Joburg Buffaloes, led by Pathan’s leadership, will now face the Durban Qalandars in the highly anticipated final of the Zim Afro T10 at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Both teams finished as the top two on the points table during the league stage, promising an enthralling clash for the inaugural championship.
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