Pathan recalled, asked to play domestic cricket

Irfan Pathan's turbulent career received a further setback when it was decided that the young Baroda paceman would be sent back home to rediscover his forgotten craft.

"We, the team management, chairman of selectors and Irfan himself have decided that it is in his best interest that he goes to India and plays the next two Ranji Trophy matches on January 2 and 10," captain Rahul Dravid said while insisting that the youngster was important to India's plans in the near and long-term future.

Pathan has picked 91 Test wickets from 25 matches at an average of 30.79, and is only the second Indian bowler to pick up a hat-trick, but his recent slide has been too dramatic to be ignored any longer.

Pathan was not picked for the first test at the Wanderers, missed three tests in the West Indies, and was not picked in all the games in the one-day series on the present South Africa tour. (PTI)