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Pathan shuns all-rounder tag

By Deepti Patwardhan in Mohali
March 12, 2006 19:49 IST
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It's becoming a trend that Irfan Pathan prefers to ignore.

In 2006 alone he has scored 171 runs and taken 13 wickets in four Tests, but the all-rounder tag still sits uncomfortably on his shoulders. The Baroda speedster likes to believe that he is primarily a bowler, who can bat a bit.

"I may believe I have become an all-rounder when I score a couple of hundreds. There is still a long way to go," said Pathan sternly, after scoring yet another crucial 52 in 58 balls during India's first innings against England on day 4 in the second Test in Mohali on Sunday.

"You can write whatever you want to but I know my limitations. And I try to work within them."

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Though Pathan didn't get any wickets in England's second innings, which closed on 112 for five on the fourth day, he was happy with the performance and said the bowlers had put India in the driver's seat.

"All the bowlers did really well. We had a very good day today. Munaf (Patel) and I started well and then the spinners did the damage."

England lead India by 74 runs, but have only five wickets in hand. With the Indian spinners getting grip and bounce on this surface, the susceptibility of the English batsmen is starting to show.

England middle-order batsman Ian Bell showed some fight by playing out for more than two hours and scoring 57 runs. His 137-ball innings came to an end at a crucial stage for England, under fading light, when he got a faint edge to Anil Kumble.

"I was disappointed to get out then. After doing all the hard work I wanted to be out there tomorrow," said Bell later. "The ball (which got him out) just sat on the wicket. It didn't get to me as quickly as I thought it would.

"This is why teams consider it such a challenge to play in India."

With 98 overs still to go in the match, England will struggle to keep India under the lid. At the end of the fourth day, they had Andrew Flintoff (16) and Geraint Jones at the wicket.

"Freddie and Jones have had some good partnerships before and I'm sure they will fight it out.

"The team is taking time to think about tomorrow. I'm sure the guys will be ready with new ideas."

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Deepti Patwardhan in Mohali

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