LAHORE - Lanky fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is geared up to prove his credentials in the upcoming tour of India with his show to win a permanent place in Pakistan Test team for South Africa tour.
Irfan made his international debut in 2010 during controversial tour of England but failed to make an impression as he remained wicket-less in the two One-Day Internationals at Chester-le-Street and Leeds and was dropped from the team due to fitness and poor fielding. But due to his superb performance in Grade-I President’s Trophy by getting 27 wickets in seven matches, compelled selectors to include him in the Pakistan Twenty20 squad for India tour. Irfan has so far grabbed 128 wickets in 35 first-class matches with an average of about 26 runs per scalp.
Irfan expressed that Dav Whatmore has given him immense confidence and hopes to deliver goods for Pakistan in the upcoming Twenty20 series against India. He further said the national team’s head-coach has keenly observed his bowling during President’s Trophy 2012-13 and gave valuable advices. Irfan has been consistently getting help from Pakistan’s bowling coach Waseem Akram.
“Whatmore came to see my games in Islamabad during the President’s Trophy and spoke to me there. He provided me with a lot of confidence for which I am really thankful to him,” Irfan said. “I have spoken to Akram on many occasions. They have been very happy with my bowling and also given advice me on my physical fitness and bowling.”
Pakistan will also tour South Africa from last week of January 2013, where the pitches are likely to assist fast bowlers. The series against India provides Irfan a chance to impress selectors with bowling and earn a place in Test team as well. Taking into account his height (7 feet 1 inch), the speedster can be extremely handy on the South African pitches.
The two-match Twenty20 series will be a big test of Irfan’s skills against Indian batsmen in their home conditions. Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Poojara, MS Dhoni, Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh have the ability to tear apart any bowling line-up of the world on their days.
However, Irfan said that he had started his home work to be successful in India and vowed to work hard during the training camp, which is going to begin this week.
“I have seen some videos of Indian batsmen to monitor their weaknesses and started planning to take benefit from their flaws but the real work will come when I would join the preparatory camp,” Irfan claimed.
 “This is a big opportunity for me and I hope I can contribute and become a regular member of Pakistan team. I also know that I wouldn’t be here in the first place without the help of the Almighty Allah and the good wishes from the fans,” Irfan added.