Irfan set to join Pakistan’s pace attack at Headingley

NOTTINGHAM: A fit-again Mohammad Irfan was raring to have a go at England in the fourth One-day International at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday (tomorrow).

Having joined the Pakistan squad in Nottingham as a replacement of the injured Mohammad Hafeez, Irfan took part in a pre-match warm-up session ahead of the third ODI here at Trent Bridge.

The 34-year-old Irfan was overlooked for Tuesday’s game but sources in the team management told ‘The News’ that there is a big likelihood that he will be included in the playing eleven for the fourth ODI in a bid to add some sting to an otherwise toothless Pakistan attack.

Pakistan’s bowlers including their pace trio of Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali have failed to impress much, allowing England batsman to have a cakewalk in this five-match series so far. Earlier, in the series-opening game in Southampton, Pakistan tried comeback pacer Umar Gul but to no avail. Gul was replaced by youngster Hasan but he is also yet to really make his presence felt in this series.

Irfan, who has taken 81 wickets from 59 ODI appearances, was initially ignored for the ongoing series against England because of suspect fitness. He was having problems with his fitness since been ruled out of World Cup 2015 because of stress fracture of the pelvis. He has made the odd come back but hasn’t been a regular part of the Pakistan line-up since then. Irfan’s last ODI appearance was on January 31 this year when he finished with unimpressive figures of 1-60 from eight overs against New Zealand.

“Irfan looks fitter and faster and seems set to be included in the playing eleven for the next match at Headingly. He didn’t have enough time to make the line-up for today’s game as he just joined the team on Monday night,” a source in the Pakistan team said.