There were finally some smiles for Irfan Pathan on the cricketing field. The left-armer produced a dominant batting display batting to lead Baroda to a thumping five-wicket victory over Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match in Baroda on Friday.

Pathan was in a rampaging mood, smashing 82 off 100 deliveries, inclusive of three boundaries and six sixes, to lead Baroda to an easy victory after the loss of a few early wickets.

- Ranji Trophy 2006-07

In fact, it could be said that his innings was the best of the match from both sides.

Promoted up the order, the 22-year-old got stuck into the Uttar Pradesh bowlers, hitting seamer Pravin Kumar for three sixes.

Piyush Chawla also suffered some punishment as he was hit for two sixes and two boundaries.

"I spoke to the coach and I decided that I would be positive and just play my shots," Pathan said.

It was his bowling that Pathan was supposed to work on after being sent back from South Africa mid-way during the Test series. But it didn't show any signs of improvement, except for a three-over spell in the second innings.

His match figures of three wickets for 167 runs tell the real story.

On his bowling in the match, Pathan said: "I was bowling in the nets but it was not helping me. I knew I needed some match practice. I felt a bit better in the second innings, the way I was swinging the ball. Its just a matter of getting more wickets."

The left-armer said he is feeling confident and is just a step away from his best.

It remains to be seen whether he will regain some of his rhythm in the next match against Tamil Nadu, starting on November 9.

It is the last opportunity for him to impress the selectors, as the team for the first two ODIs against the West Indies and the 30-man probables for the 2007 World Cup will be announced on January 12.

There is a theory going around that if Pathan doesn't improve his bowling, he could make it to the squad purely as a batsman.