Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan criticized Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Noor Ahmed after the defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Pathan termed the Afghan bowlers as the biggest problem during their recent IPL 2026 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, April 5.
Chennai Super Kings suffered their third consecutive defeat of the season. While chasing the target of 250 runs, they were out for 207 runs. Royal Challengers Bangalore achieved their second consecutive win and reached the top of the points table. Ruturaj Gaikwad and his team are at the bottom without a single win.
Noor Ahmed is CSK’s biggest problem – Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan said that Noor Ahmed has failed to take even a single wicket in three matches and his economy rate is 11.10. Pathan said that the young spinner needs to improve his bowling alignment and adjust his run-up angle to get better results.
“He (Noor) is CSK’s biggest problem at the moment. He has bowled about 10 overs this season and given away more than 100 runs. He doesn’t have a single wicket. I believe if he corrects the angle of his run-up, the alignment will improve, and his arm, which is falling to one side, will also straighten.”
Noor had a tough performance and returned figures of 4-0-49-0. During the last season, he took 24 wickets in 14 innings and was the second-highest wicket-taker.
Irfan Pathan disappointed with Matt Henry’s bowling strategy
Irfan Pathan also expressed disappointment over Matt Henry’s performance against Virat Kohli. Pathan said that an experienced foreign fast bowler should not bowl full balls when the batsman is out.
“I am very disappointed with his bowling because he has come with a lot of experience. He has good bowling and good economy, but he has not been able to perform like that in this league.”
“An experienced bowler does not bowl half volleys. Anshul Kamboj bowled a bouncer after seeing Virat Kohli out. Matt Henry bowled a full ball even after seeing Virat out.”
Chennai Super Kings can’t afford no-balls against Tim David
Irfan Pathan advised the bowlers to continuously target the middle and leg stump of Tim David. In the 18th over, Anshul Kamboj bowled Tim David with a yorker, but the no-ball siren gave a big relief to the batsman. David took full advantage of this and scored unbeaten 70 runs in 25 balls with the help of eight sixes.
“He (David) got bowled on the no-ball. Anshul Kamboj bluffed him, but giving a free hit to Tim David means you become a danger player. Tim David usually stands outside the leg stump. So, bowling on the off stump is giving him width.”
“If the bowler is thinking that he will not give him room by bowling on the off stump, he is actually giving him room. You have to bowl on the middle stump and leg stump; otherwise, he will hit you.”
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