'This wicket is the best I've played on in Asia'

Young Indian left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan successfully appeals for an lbw decision on way to his first 10-wicket haul in a match. PHOTO: Anisur Rahman

Irfan Pathan can not be faulted for falling in love with the Banga-bandhu National Stadium wicket.

This is where he achieved his first five-for in Tests on Friday and less than 48 hours later, the 20-year-old was celebrating a remarkable 10-wicket haul as his fantastic spell on the afternoon of Day Three had Bangladesh hanging by a thread.

Pathan did not reserve his praise for the BNS pitch which has been a revelation. Gone is the traditional slow and low nature which has been replaced by a lively even-bounced track that has plenty of encouragement for genuine seam bowlers even after three days and Pathan acknowledged the assistance.

"This is a perfect track for a seam bowler like me. I really enjoyed bowling here. The ball swings more here than in India. Pitches in Pakistan also offers assistance but I think this wicket is the best I've played on in Asia," said the exciting left-arm quick after the third day's play.

Pathan did not blame the Bangladeshi batsmen for the way they capitulated in both innings' as he thought they had their work cut out. He was also not surprised at the number of LBW decisions (seven) that went in his favour.

"It was easy for me because I was able to bowl the inswingers, especially with the new ball. It is difficult for any batsman to play against such a swinging ball. I don't think they played badly, the bowling was just very good."

Pathan said he was surprised at getting ten wickets in the match.

"It's a great feeling for me. I took my first five-wicket haul after 14 months in international cricket but I did not expect to get another five so soon. Actually you need one five-wicket return to get you started," said Pathan.

Pathan rated his performance as a top one and refused to entertain ideas that the wickets came cheap because of the quality of the opposition.

"I think I bowled a lot better in the second innings than in the first. In the afternoon you generally don't get that much swing."

Pathan was asked whether it was a conscious decision to bowl from umpire Jeremy Lloyds' end in both innings as he has given no less than nine leg before verdicts in the match already.

"I was bowling with the wind in the first innings. In the second there was no wind so I thought I would try his end," came the honest reply.

Meanwhile, a subdued Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar was lost for reasons to explain another awful collapse.

"I think the pitch behaved far better today than on the first day. We failed to stay in the middle. I don't know what is the real reason behind our top order's failure," said Bashar.

The country's premier batsman said that he did not consider his dismissals in both innings' to attempted pull shots as irresponsible shot making.

"I love to play the pull shot and I have scored maximum runs playing this shot. I have fallen at times for this but that doesn't meant I played irresponsibly."