Pakistani Cricket Players: Mohammad Irfan

Mohammad Irfan Biography

source(google.com.pk)

Mohammad Irfan in born 6 June 1982 is a Pakistani left-arm fast bowler, hailing from a Aulakh Jatt family of Punjab. In an interview with Pakpassion, Irfan has confirmed his height is indeed 7'3 inches, after speculations. This makes him the tallest player to play first class and International cricket.

Confusion remains over Mohammad Irfan's actual height - the PCB has variously measured him at 6'8", 6'10" and 7'1". If he is indeed 7'1", he could be the tallest cricketer around, surpassing his idol Joel Garner. Irfan is a product of rural Pakistan, hailing from the eastern Pakistan town of Gaggu Mandi, which produced another tall former Pakistan quick, Mohammad Zahid. The lack of opportunities in his home town forced him to quit playing cricket and seek full-time employment to support his family. He was working in a plastic pipe factory and playing club cricket before Aaqib Javed had summoned him to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Aaqib was enthused by what he saw and soon after, he was playing first-class cricket for Khan Research Laboratories. He took nine wickets in his second game and ended the season with an impressive 43 wickets in ten games. He came close to national selection when he was named as a replacement for one of the injured seamers for the 2010 World Twenty20, but his name was withdrawn.

First Class contract

After impressing coaches at the NCA Irfan got several offers from First Class teams including Habib Bank and ZTBL. However it was KRL opener, Azhar Ali, who convinced KRL coach Rashid Iqbal to give Irfan a trial with Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). Azhar had seen Irfan take 4 wickets against Pakistan A and had immediately called KRL telling them that Irfan would be a good fit for their team. Irfan went for the trial and got selected, the first part of his dream was complete.

He made his first class debut in the QEA Trophy in October 2009 playing for Khan Research Laboratories. He bowled economically but was unable to take any wickets in a high scoring game. In his second first class game, Irfan took 7-113 in the second innings and 9 wickets overall in the match. His first wicket in professional cricket was of young Pakistani international batsmen Ahmed Shehzad. He also took the wicket of Imran Farhat and injured Hasan Raza with a bouncer before taking his wicket.

Irfan continued to impress early on in his first class career. In his third match he grabbed 11 wickets to help his side to the first win of the championship. He recorded 5/27 in the first innings and 6/96 in the second innings.

Before he was offered a lucrative break in cricket, Irfan contemplated giving up the game and was working for a plastic pipe company. His exact height is as yet undertermined with ranges around the 7'1 mark accredited. This height would make him the tallest first-class cricketer of all time above county players Anthony Allom, Paul Dunkels and Will Jefferson, all variously measured at 6'10.

The timeline of Irfan's journey can be found at pakpassion.net blog

Irfan has an official 'fan page' on the popular social networking site FaceBook, and also a fan blog on cricistan.com where it provides frequent updates about Irfan and his career.

IPL - Kolkata Knight Riders (2011-)

Irfan and announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to represent them in season 2011 IPL. This deal is only valid as long as the chlorine and the Bank of Credit and Commerce to give consent. The main reason for gratitude to obtain a trial with KKR because the former Pakistani pace - Wasim Akram aimed recommended Irfan management KKR. Irfan and held him to earn $ 75,000 plus another $ 2000 for each game played with, but the contract needs to be approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India Irfan contract also requires the approval of the Pakistan Cricket Board

International Debut (2010)

While the Pakistani team were touring England in 2010 Irfan was announced as a replacement for the two bowlers who were accused of spot-fixing allegations Mohammad Amir & Mohammad Asif [11] Irfan made his debut in the first ODI against England in England in 2010 however rain saw the match reduced to 41 overs. He finished with bowling figures of 0-37 off 5.3 overs, before going off the pitch with cramp. 15 of those runs coming from his first over in International Cricket. England later went on to win the game by 24 runs.