"I'm a much better bowler than displays in England tour": Pak pacer Mohammad Irfan

Karachi, Oct 7: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, who made his international debut in the recent ODI series against England, feels that he could have done a lot better during the tour.

Irfan’s long-awaited debut at Chester-le-Street did not go according to plan, as his first over was dispatched for 15 runs.

He was immediately taken out of the attack, and eventually had figures of 0-37 off 5.3 overs before limping off the field with cramps.

“I received the call whilst playing for Pakistan A in Sri Lanka; Asad Shafiq and myself were informed we would be travelling to London straight away to join the National team,” PakPassion.net quoted Irfan, as saying.

“The temperature in Sri Lanka and England was very different and it was hard to acclimatise myself with no time to rest. We flew to Karachi and then to London, and we were playing the next day.”

“As it was Ramadan, I had also been fasting on non-match days in Sri Lanka which may have affected my fitness,” he added.

However, the initial experience has not dampened Irfan’s spirits, and he remains confident and focused to perform better when he gets his next opportunity.

“I know I have disappointed many of my fans worldwide who must be wondering what happened to the old Mohammad Irfan? I would like to reassure them that I am a much better bowler than my displays in England showed,” Irfan said.

“It’s just that the lack of rest on arrival and cold weather (compared to Sri Lanka) did not help,” he added.