'Never Seen a Spell like Mohammed Siraj in my Life': Irfan Pathan Lauds Indian Pacer

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan heaped massive praise on paceman Mohammed Siraj for his brilliant spell against South Africa in the second Test match at Newlands, Cape Town. Siraj ran riot with the new ball on the opening day and claimed a six-wicket haul – 6/15 – his best bowling figures in Test cricket.

The premier pacer exploited the conditions in Cape Town and dismantled the Proteas batting line-up as the hosts were bundled out for just 55 – their lowest Test score since their readmission.

Siraj troubled the batters by swinging the ball both ways as the South African batters started the new year on an embarrassing note.

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Pathan lauded the Indian paceman and said he had never seen a spell like that in his life.

“Never seen a spell like Mohammed Siraj in my life. Mohammed Siraj definitely had better rhythm today. he was very sharp with his fuller length deliveries,” said Irfan Pathan on Star Sports after India bowled South Africa out in the first innings.

Siraj bowled superbly in an unchanged nine-over spell as South Africa’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly.

Stand-in South African captain Dean Elgar, playing in his last Test, stressed the need for his team to start well as they defended a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

But it was India who controlled the morning’s play on a pitch which offered bounce and seam movement.

Siraj exploited the conditions superbly, with none of the batsmen looking comfortable against him.

Pathan was impressed with the way Siraj used his outswings and hailed him for the way he set up the centurion from last game Dean Elgar.

“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,” Pathan further added.