Irfan Khan: “The number of matches Shoaib bhai played for Pakistan, I want to emulate that. My strive would be to play as many matches. He has lots of experience and is my idol”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Up-and-coming Pakistan middle order batsman Irfan Khan has expressed his desire to become the next Shoaib Malik, saying he wants to play as many matches as the veteran all-rounder and achieve as much success as he did.
Irfan has enjoyed great success in his domestic career thus far, amassing 800 runs in 13 first-class matches, which includes a century and five fifties, at an average of 57.14.
He has also made 220 runs in 13 List A games, which includes a top score of 70, at an average of 20.
As for his T20 career, the 21-year-old from Mianwali has made 499 runs in 34 matches, which includes a top score of 57 not out, at an average of 26.26 and a strike-rate of 135.96.
He recently played alongside Malik for the Karachi Kings in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and finished with 171 runs in nine games at an average of 42.75 and a strike-rate of 140.16.
“The number of matches Shoaib bhai played for Pakistan, I want to emulate that. My strive would be to play as many matches. He has lots of experience and is my idol,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
“It [PSL] is the best platform for the youngsters. Those who perform well here soon make their debut for Pakistan. And, it is a good stage where you get to share the dressing with big names like [Kieron] Pollard and Shoaib bhai which gives you a wealth of experience. It is not tough at all because the seniors we have here like Shoaib, Shan, and Hasan Ali, all are supportive. They back us and motivate us to trust our abilities,”
The Kings failed to make it to the PSL playoffs as they finished in fifth place on the points table after winning four out of their 10 games.
Karachi Kings Squad for PSL 9: Shan Masood (captain), Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Nawaz, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Tim Seifert, Shoaib Malik, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Amir Khan, Anwar Ali, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan, Sirajuddin, Saad Baig, Jamie Overton, Leus du Plooy, Mohammad Rohid, Zahid Mahmood
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