Former greats question Irfan’s exclusion after T20 series loss

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Expressing disappointment at the Pakistan team’s humiliating defeat in the last T20 match against New Zealand, former cricket great Wasim Akram has expressed surprise at the exclusion of the fast bowler Mohammad Irfan from the team.”I am unable to understand why Irfan was ignored,”said Akram.

The seven-foot tall Irfan possessed great pace and could have been the most dangerous bowler, particularly in New Zealand conditions. “He can bowl Yorkers very well, hence he should not have been kept out of the team.”

He said in T20 cricket, it was essential for bowlers to get wickets and pressurise the batsmen, which Pakistani bowler were unable to do. ” Pakistani bowlers failed to create any trouble for Kiwi team,” said Akram.

To a question regarding Muhammad Amir, the former Pakistan captain said that it was not wise to expect too much from the 23-year-old, as he was representing the country at the international level after a five-year gap, and there was a lot of pressure on him.

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also expressed surprise at the exclusion of Mohammad Irfan from the team.

“It is incomprehensible why was he [Irfan] kept out,” said Akhtar. “His awkward bounce could have troubled Kiwi batsmen. He should have been tried out,” he said.

Former captain Ramiz Raja said there were several negatives that contributed in Pakistan’s downfall. He said that he was surprised as why Pakistan had not tried to dominate through spinners “as Kiwi batsmen handle pacers very well on their home grounds.”

He said Pakistan should have opened the bowling with Imad Wasim, while Afridi should have also introduced himself a bit earlier.