Since making a return in India last year, Irfan has claimed 29 wickets in 17 ODIs at an average of 21.86. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan is confident that his age and fitness will not hinder his prospects of continuing to play for the national team in the future.
Despite fitness issues plaguing the 31-year-old, he said he was working hard to rectify them and is eyeing another four to five years in the side.
The towering left-arm pacer has represented Pakistan in two Tests, 19 One-day Internationals (ODIs) and four Twenty20s.
He has already been a revelation in his short career, troubling the best batsmen in world cricket with his speed, accuracy and vicious bounce and he aims to continue to do so.
“I’ve set a target of representing Pakistan for another four to five years,” Irfan told The Express Tribune.
“People do talk a lot about my fitness but I’m working very passionately on that aspect so that injuries don’t hinder my career anymore and I’m able to serve my country to the best of my abilities.
“There is nothing like winning matches for your country.”
‘I thought my career was over’
The seven-feet-one-inch tall bowler recalled that he feared he will never be able to play for Pakistan after he failed to impress against England in two ODIs in 2010.
After the England debacle, he went into wilderness for more than 18 months, completely sidelined from the national side.
“I never thought I’d be able to play again for Pakistan. People who I thought were close to me left me in that troubled period and that is where I got to know life,” he said.
‘Wasim made me more lethal’
The pacer also praised former great Wasim Akram for helping him develop an ‘inswinger’ during a two-week bowling camp.
“I was getting wickets with my pace and bounce but now there is a different aspect to my game. Now I can swing the ball both ways, thanks to Wasim, which has improved my efficiency.
“I’ve developed an inswinger to right-handers which is very lethal.”
Fawad helps Omer Associates sail into semis
Fawad Khan took three wickets and scored a crucial 33 runs to help Omer Associates stun Port Qasim with a 91-run win to book their place in the semi-finals of the 3rd Corporate T20 Cup at the Moin Khan Academy.
Batting first, Omer Associates were bowled out for 144 in 19.5 overs. In reply, Port Qasim were bundled out a paltry 53 in 14.4 overs. Off-spinner Misbah Khan took two wickets.
In another match, CandyLand shocked start-studded HBL beating them by 24 runs, courtesy Ali Murtaza’s four-wicket haul.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2013.
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PCB selectors should have spotted him early and had they not spotted him, they still had chance to groom him after that England tour. they wasted him for 18 months the administration shud have realised he was different from other and one bad outing should have not been the case for his exile.
He shud have been continued from there on and who knows he might have won the world cup for us. He is a precious talent and nobody can produce such players.
I doubt he can carry on playing for five more years because he has a huge structure and that puts a lot of pressure on his joints
He is yet to get injured and his real test will come when he might get an injury and will require recovery because that will be slow process with his age.
PCB is wasting Pakistani talent
Where were the PCB selectors when he was in his early 20s? -.-
Yup! Yup! swing is certainly there after Wasim Akram's coaching... We need to respect our past and current heroes both
Go on biggggggggggg Man destroy teams and help Pakistan win
He is certainly an asset for Pakistan and needs to be handled with great care