Mohammad Irfan signs IPL contract

Pakistan left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan has been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL.

LAHORE: Pakistan left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan has been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The seven-foot and one inch tall bowler, yet to make his international debut, was recommended by former captain and coach of KKR Wasim Akram.

“I have signed for KKR for the fourth edition of IPL,” Irfan told The Express Tribune. “I was called by them to Sri Lanka on the recommendation of Wasim Akram and they were impressed by my performance in the three matches. I played two Twenty20s and a one-day match against a side that included a number of Sri Lankan international and A team players.”

Irfan took nine wickets in three games with economical figures that were enough to impress the KKR management, who decided to offer the fast bowler a contract.

“All of them were impressed with my bowling. My height helped me as well,” added Irfan, who came close to national selection when he was named as a replacement for one of the injured bowlers for the World Twenty20 earlier this year before his name was withdrawn.

He has also played 10 first-class matches for Khan Research Laboratories and claimed 43 wickets for them.

The participation of Pakistan players in the last IPL drew much controversy after the 11 players put up for auction were snubbed by the franchises amid concerns that the Pakistan government would refuse to give them clearance to play in India.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2010.