Deodhar Trophy match to decide Pathan's World Cup fate

Ahmedabad, Feb 24 (UNI) Irfan Pathan's chances of playing in next month's World Cup hang in balance as he sets out to prove his fitness in the opening match of the Deodhar Trophy to be played at the Motera Stadium here tomorrow.

The pacer, who is playing for West Zone, will have to prove whether he is ''fit'' for the Indian squad which leaves for West Indies next week.

Selection Committee Chairman Dilip Vengsarkar will keep a strict watch on pathan's performance in the opening day-night match against Central Zone.

Speculation is rife on Pathan's fitness before the World Cup.

While Pathan has stated that he was ''fit'' to play, Vengsarkar has maintained until he proves himself in the Deodhar Trophy match, he would not go to the World Cup.

Last evening, Pathan was seen practising in the nets here and West Zone team coach Chandrakant Pandit has expressed his satisfaction with his performance.

The 10 match Deodhar Trophy tournament will begin here from tomorrow and teams from five zones will be participating in it.

The first three matches will be held at Motera Stadium and the latter stages of the tournament, to be played in the league format, will be held in Mumbai at the Brabourne and Wankhede stadiums.

All the teams have reached here and players of West Zone and Central Zone were doing net practice this afternoon.

Pathan has played just one match at the international level after he was unceremoniously sent back home from South Africa before the conclusion of the Test series. He had missed the last two matches of the series against Sri Lanka due to a sore shoulder.

UNI