Irfan Pathan's woes continued as he struggled to make any impression in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh in Baroda on Thursday.

Playing for Baroda, the left-armer disappointed yet again, conceding 59 runs in 13 overs for a single wicket, to follow up on his 2 for 108 in 22 overs in UP's first innings.

Once again line and length were in disarray as he dished out two wides and four no-balls, in addition to the 14 no-balls in the first innings. Uttar Pradesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals before being bowled for 210 in their second innings.

Pathan started well in the second innings with a three-over spell before lunch during which he gave the UP batsmen some trouble with his in-swingers. He also enjoyed some bounce as he consistently beat both the right-handers and left-handers.

But in the post-lunch session he once again disappointed.

Baroda coach Ashok Mankad felt the 20-year-old tried a bit too hard today and hence lost his line and length.

"I think Pathan bowled a bit short today. He is trying to go for pace and maybe that is why he was struggling with his bowling," he said at the end of the day's play.

Pathan also was unable to control the flow of runs, but on that count Mankad sought to defend his bowler.

"We kept an attacking field and that is why he gave away a few runs and also the fact that the UP batsman played some good shots," he added.

However, the script was exactly the opposite for Baroda's other seamer Rakesh Patel, who enjoyed bowling on the same pitch and returned figures of 5 for 75 in his 20 overs.

Baroda, who need 172 for victory, were 17 for 1 at the close on the third day of the four-day Ranji match.

"The wicket was quite good, there was some bounce. It was swinging a bit and I just tried to bowl a consistent line," Patel said.

"I think fast bowlers enjoy when the wicket offers a bit of bounce," he added.

He also defended his younger bowling partner Pathan, saying that the left-armer showed considerable improvement in the second innings.

"What I have seen here is that he has definitely improved. He struggled in the first spell of the first innings, but in the second innings he bowled well. He got a bit of swing and his rhythm also looked better," Patel said.

Patel hoped that by the end of the next Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu, Pathan would regain his rhythm and confidence.

Well, that's what the whole of Baroda, and India, is hoping for!