Brilliant Pathan leads a Middlesex fightback

Irfan Pathan is widely considered to be the most talented swing and seam bowler to emerge from India since Kapil Dev.

With a batting average just shy of 20 from his 13 Tests, the 20-year-old also has great potential with the bat and he gave a glimpse of his huge talent for Middlesex against Surrey at Lord's today. Resuming on 33 overnight, Pathan cruised to his highest first class score as he put a dampener on Surrey's hopes of wrapping up the home side's innings before lunch.

Driving fluently and dispatching the short bowling with contemptuous ease, Pathan looked in complete control before he was bowled having a charge at compatriot Harbhajan Singh.

His entertaining knock of 68, which spanned 93 balls and included 11 fours, took Middlesex to 380 for eight, an excellent recovery from 148 for five.

Meanwhile, Mark Butcher is losing his battle to prove his fitness before the Ashes begin.

The Surrey captain is continuing to have daily physio treatment, but he is still experiencing discomfort and is waiting for the all-clear from the specialist to begin specific batting practice again.

Surrey have confirmed the sides for the Twenty20 Tsunami match at the Oval on 20 June. Brian Lara's International XI, including Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Stephen Fleming, will face Rahul Dravid's Asia XI, featuring Harbhajan Singh, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya.

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