Can Mohammad Irfan be the 'new' Mohammad Amir?
Following the ICC’s decision to suspend Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif over spot-fixing allegations, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to send reinforcements to England for the One-day International (ODI) squad which include batsman Asad Shafiq and fast bowler Mohammad Irfan.
One PCB officials said, “The PCB chairman (Ijaz Butt) approved the names of the two players on the request of the team management and selection committee,” He further added, “Both players are currently playing with the Pakistan A team in Sri Lanka and will now join the senior team by next week”.
After how things are panning out, rumours are rife that Pakistan’s test captain Salman Butt along with pacers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif are expected to be banned for life after the three players were charged on Thursday under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code. The 3 players were charged with various offences under “Article 2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for players and Player Support Personnel relating to alleged irregular behaviour during, and in relation to, the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s last month”, said an ICC press release prior to a PCB announcement that the 3 players had opted to voluntarily withdraw from the rest of the tour.
The updated and strengthened ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Players and Player Support Personnel has used its power of suspension for the first time since 2009, as it comes with the unanimous support of ICC members.
Shafiq is a right-handed batsman and can also bowl the occasional leg-break but has only played 1 ODI against Bangladesh in the 2010 Asia Cup. The 24-year-old youngster has scored over 2500 runs in Pakistan's first-class cricket at an average of 43.70.
On the other hand, Irfan’s inclusion will strengthen Pakistan’s bowling attack. He made his debut in first-class cricket for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in October 2009 after he impressed former fast bowlers Nadeem Iqbal and Aaqib Javed by taking 7 wickets in the second innings of a high-scoring first-class match. The 7 foot 1 inches tall first-class cricketer took 9 wickets in that test match - his victims included test batsmen Imran Farhat and Hasan Raza. The tall fast bowler continued to impress Pakistani selectors as he took a total of 11 wickets in his 3rd first-class match, recording 5 for 27 in the 1st innings and 6 for 96 in the 2nd innings.
His advent in international cricket will make him the tallest cricketer of all time alongside English cricketer Will Jefferson. Based on his first-class credentials and talent, the youngster was referred to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by veteran left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram. With Akram’s repute in the international arena, Irfan signed a contract with KKR for the 2011 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at US$75,000 plus another $2,000 dollars for every game he plays. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to approve his contract though.
Irfan’s credentials and talent have surely brought him into the spotlight. His first-class infant record has changed his line of work as the youngster is soon to become an international cricketer after working in a plastic pipe company. The 28-year-old bowler is expected to overcome the shortcomings in Pakistan's squad in England, as all eyes are on him to replace Mohammad Amir during the tour.
Amir dazzled the international arena at the age of 18 with his left-arm fast swing bowling, as he was frequently compared to the likes of former captain and fast bowler Wasim Akram. Furthermore, Akram himself had claimed that Amir was cleverer than him when he was at his age.
However, Irfan is 10 years older than Amir, and seems to be a more mature and confident player. As time will be the best judge of this decision taken by the PCB, many expect Irfan to fill the void left by Amir. One can only hope that Irfan will bring back Pakistan's lost glory and respect in the upcoming ODI’s against England.
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