With the one-day squad soon to be shortlisted for the ongoing Australian tour, Baroda’s Yusuf Pathan just reminded the selectors that he is due for a promotion. The Twenty20 World Cup winning player showed that he is ready for the ODIs too.

Pathan’s blistering, unbeaten 86 from 61 balls helped Baroda end the day on a healthy 281/6 in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals match against Delhi on Monday. This means Baroda lead by 209 with four wickets in hand. And with the pitch expected to aid spinners, Pathan the offie will have the focus on him during the last two days of the game.

Pathan’s blitzkrieg finally increased the pace of the game that has been dominated by the bowlers so far. Three quick wickets meant, Baroda urgently needed a partnership. That was when southpaw Rakesh Solanki and Pathan forged an association that helped Baroda come out of the woods. Pathan walked in with the last session just two balls old and added 118 runs with Solanki in just 22 overs. Interestingly, out of the first 100 runs scored by the pair Solanki managed 32. Pathan’s three sixes and 13 boundaries, meant Delhi who seemed to have a tight grip on the game were suddenly in trouble. Pathan’s hit two sixes off Aditya Jain and one off Chaitnya Nanda.

With a sizeable lead, Baroda have high hopes from Pathan when he walks out to bat on Tuesday along with Rajesh Pawar (2). If Barado able to put up a reasonable score to chase, Delhi will face an uphill task in the fourth innings of the match.

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