“I am hopeful I would be considered for the one-dayers and T20 game in Sri Lanka next month”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Irfan is hoping to make his international comeback during the national team’s upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on July 11 in Dambulla.

Irfan has not represented Pakistan since March due a stress fracture of the pelvis, which ended his World Cup campaign prematurely.

However, he did make his domestic comeback on Saturday and even picked up a wicket with his very first delivery during a Twenty20 tournament in Faisalabad.

“I am playing here (in Faisalabad) with the permission of the cricket board and selectors,” Irfan told PTI. “They wanted to see how I respond after recovering from the injury and I am hopeful I would be considered for the one-dayers and T20 game in Sri Lanka next month. I enjoy cricket and bowling and it is a challenge bowling in T20 cricket, but I have learnt how to cope with the mindset of the batsmen now.”

Irfan, who took eight wickets in five World Cup matches at an average of 23.25, admitted that he was gutted to have missed Pakistan’s quarter-final match against Australia, especially since Pakistan ended up losing by six wickets.

“I am fine now and completely fit as the rehabilitation process has been very good, but the regret is still there,” he said. “I couldn’t play in the World Cup quarter-final against Australia and that was such a big match. I was so pumped up in that tournament and was bowling with fire but I guess one can’t fight such things.”