NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder
Irfan Pathan
shed light on the deep involvement of Punjab Kings co-owner and Bollywood actress
Preity Zinta
with the team, revealing intriguing details during a mid-innings discussion on Star Sports, before Punjab Kings' stunning run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Pathan, who represented Punjab Kings in the IPL for three years, spoke highly of Zinta's dedication and emotional investment in the team's performances.
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"She is a wonderful woman. She was quite involved with the team. Haarne pe pareshan ho jaati thi, bahut pareshan ho jaati hai [She gets very upset when the team loses]. But she knows how to control her emotions," Pathan remarked, offering insights into Zinta's passionate support for the team.
Drawing parallels from Zinta's acting career, Pathan emphasized her understanding of success and failure.
"Since she was a fantastic actor, very experienced and very successful, she knows it is not easy. She knows that every movie can't be a hit. Similarly, she understands that we can't win every match," Pathan elaborated, highlighting Zinta's ability to maintain composure despite the highs and lows of the cricketing arena.
Pathan reminisced about Zinta's calm demeanor, recalling only a few instances of her expressing disappointment after a defeat. He emphasized her professionalism and leadership, noting her rare displays of resentment in the face of adversity.
"So, when she had a conversation with us after a defeat. In my three years with the team, we played more than 40 matches and I have seen only 2 or 3 times she showed us some disappointment, otherwise she always remains calm," Irfan added.
Adding a lighter note to the discussion, Pathan shared a memorable anecdote about Zinta's gesture of celebrating victories by personally preparing paranthas for the team during their stint in South Africa.
"She once made parathas with her hands in South Africa for the team. Almost 40 parathas by hand, because we won against Chennai Super Kings. She is of a different level of
team owner
," Pathan concluded, highlighting Zinta's unique and hands-on approach to team management.
Punjab Kings' remarkable run chase against Kolkata Knight Riders, spearheaded by Jonny Bairstow's explosive century and Shashank Singh's impressive batting, marked a historic moment as they surpassed the highest successful run chase record in IPL and
T20 cricket
history. Despite the defeat, Kolkata Knight Riders' blistering start, fueled by Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, set the stage for a thrilling encounter at the Eden Gardens, showcasing the electrifying nature of T20 cricket.
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