Pathak played as a right-handed batsman who normally opened the innings, making his first-class debut in the 1990/91 season.
[1] Pathak went on to play 76 first-class and 56 List A matches, also making appearances for South Zone during his 15-season career.
His career-best score of 264 against Goa in the 2000–01 Ranji Trophy was the highest score by an Andhra batsman in first-class cricket until the record was broken by Srikar Bharat in 2015.
[3] After his playing career, Pathak turned to cricket coaching.
He worked as the assistant coach of Andhra and remains in that role as of the 2015/16 season.