Mohammad Irfan

If you remember how tall Joel Garner and Bruce Reid were, then Pakistan’s Mohammad Irfan is three more inches taller than them. Just like the former players, Irfan is also a fast-bowler and operates with his left arm. 

A thin and lanky Irfan came onto the international scene when Pakistan toured England in 2010. The pacer made his ODI debut at Chester-le-Street before getting a call from the national team as he went wicketless on the UK tour. An improved and fitter Irfan made his comeback during the limited series against India in 2012-13. This time, the seamer seemed formidable and troubled the Indians with his pace and bounce, resulting in an ODI series win over the hosts. 

He made his Test debut against South Africa in their own backyard, in 2013, however, the tallest cricketer couldn’t last long there. Although he became a go-to bowler for Pakistan in the white-ball formats. Irfan was part of Pakistan’s team for the 2015 World Cup where he scalped eight wickets from five matches. But a twist in the tale was awaiting as Irfan was banned for a year by PCB after failing to report corrupt approaches during PSL 2017. 

The following season, the pacer joined hands with Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir to enhance Multan Sultans’ pace battery. Over the years, the Pakistani has also featured in leagues like the Global T20 Canada, BPL, APL, and CPL. In 2011, he came inches close to playing for KKR in the Indian Premier League. He gave trials after recommendations of the franchise’s then bowling coach, Wasim Akram, but the dispute between BCCI and PCB meant Irfan couldn’t play in the richest T20 league. 

Irfan will be representing Peshawar Zalmi in the second phase of the coronavirus-interrupted PSL 2021, and would be eyeing to make another comeback in the national team as his prowess to generate bounce is, still, next to none. 

(As of May 2021)