Irfan throws down gauntlet to World Cup batters

ADELAIDE, Australia: Towering over both his own teammates and rival players, it is one World Cup sight that is hard to miss: Mohammad Irfan terrifying batters with his pace and bounce.
The tallest man to play international cricket, Irfan is among the most outstanding players competing at World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.
And it’s not just because he is over seven feet tall.
The left-armer has proved that he is among the most lethal bowlers in this 14-nation tournament with two game-changing performances in must-win Pool B games against Zimbabwe in Brisbane and South Africa in Auckland.
And now the gentle giant is challenging batters in Pakistan’s remaining World Cup game to have a go at him.
“I like it when the batsmen try to attack me” he told reporters here at the picturesque St Peter’s College ground in the Hackney area of Adelaide. “That’s because when the batsmen are attacking me it gives me the best chance to take wickets and help Pakistan win matches,” he added.
“I also get into attack mode when they are trying to hit me for boundaries and that helps me become more aggressive,” said the 32-year-old from Gaggu Mandi.
Irfan, who has taken 65 wickets from 45 ODI appearances, conceded that his performance in the first two World Cup games against India and West Indies wasn’t up to the mark.
“I was unable to do well in the first two matches as the batsmen were defensive and didn’t allow me much room,” he said referring to the games against India and West Indies. Pakistan lost by substantial margins in both the matches.
But he was quick to add that things have changed for him and for Pakistan, who have won their last three games on the trot.
“Now we have a good combination,” he said. “And that’s helping all the bowlers including myself.”
He rejected the impression that having beaten formidable South Africa, Pakistan now face an easier opponent in Ireland in their sixth and final group game here at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
“No match at this World Cup is easy,” he said. “We will be completely focused and will give our best against Ireland because we have o win the match to secure our place in the quarter-finals.”
When asked as to what was the reason behind the fact that his best showing yet at this World Cup came in the crunch game against South Africa Irfan said: “I always try to give my best regardless of which team we are playing against. But against South Africa I knew that our score wasn’t big and we didn’t have enough room. I also knew that they had match-winning batters like Hashim Amla. So all of us gave an extra effort and it helped.”
Irfan declared that Pakistan were now aiming at the world title.
“We have four matches left in this World Cup and we will go all out to win them.
“We are playing every match as our last match and are giving our hundred percent.”
Irfan said that so far his favourite World Cup track was at Eden Park in Auckland where he ripped through the South African top order to help seal a vital 29-run win for Pakistan last Saturday.
“The Auckland wicket was really good as it offered plenty of pace and bounce. Irfan’s favourite wicket at World Cup was that of South African opener Quinton de Kock. “That wicket set the tone of the match and I was particularly happy because they (team official) had asked me to provide a breakthrough early on.”
The pacer fully backed he team management’s decision to play with five bowlers. “It really helps when we play with five bowlers because it gives the captain more options.”