Speaking with PakPassion.net Irshad spoke of his excitement at being included in the training sessions in Lahore and also vented his frustration at not ever having had the chance to show his bowling prowess on the international stage

By Saj Sadiq (24th May, 2012)

 

Once hailed as one of Pakistan’s brightest bowling stars and one of Pakistan’s fastest and most aggressive quick bowlers, Mohammad Irshad’s career has ultimately failed to blossom. The 28 year old quick bowler from Khanewal who made his first class debut in the 2002/03 season continues to ply his trade in domestic cricket waiting for that much anticipated international opportunity.

Irshad was recently presented with a fantastic opportunity to impress Pakistan’s coaching duo of Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain when he took part in some training sessions in Lahore ahead of the series in Sri Lanka.

Speaking with PakPassion.net Irshad spoke of his excitement at being included in the training sessions in Lahore and also vented his frustration at not ever having had the chance to show his bowling prowess on the international stage.

“It was great to be part of the training sessions recently in Lahore. I was called to the National Cricket Academy by former Pakistan pace bowler Sarfraz Nawaz to do some work with him and some of the other fast bowlers. My intention s were just to work with Sarfraz Nawaz at the NCA, but as luck would have it, a few days after my call up to the NCA the fast bowlers training sessions were taking place and I was asked to join those sessions also” stated Irshad.

“To be able to work with and impress the likes of Dav Whatmore was just wonderful, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Dav (Whatmore) spent some time with me on a one to one basis which was very kind of him. He spoke with me about my bowling, complimented me which really boosted my confidence and asked me about how my career had developed. Whatmore was very interested in what I had to say and I really appreciate the time that he gave to me in Lahore”.

Irshad seems to have been around forever but is still only 28 years old and feels that he is fit as he has ever been and waiting for an opportunity on the international stage.

“There were stories going around about injuries and fitness problems. Let me categorically state that was not the case. I have been playing consistently in first class cricket for the past 8 or 9 years and I have been performing well, taking wickets regularly in all formats too. I feel as if I am the “nearly man” of Pakistan cricket, I’ve been called up on Academy tours, “A” tours, matches against touring teams and I’ve lost count of the number of training camps I have attended. I attended the MRF bowling academy in India also in 2006, but unfortunately I have never been given the opportunity to represent the senior Pakistan side, which I find puzzling.”

A regular in the United Bank team in first class cricket Irshad feels though that his chance to represent Pakistan may yet arise and that his focus is on bowling well in domestic cricket and impressing the selectors with his consistent performances.

“There is absolutely no way that I am going to lose heart with what has happened over the years and at the moment my focus is on bowling well for United Bank and impressing the selectors. I bowled to all of the current Pakistani international batsman who attended the training sessions in Lahore and they all complimented me on my bowling. The will power is there from myself and it’s just a case of continuing to work hard in domestic cricket and waiting for that opportunity and that lucky break. I know that if my chance comes I will not let anyone down.”

“Shoaib Akhtar always complimented me on my bowling in the past which was a massive boost for me and I take the recent praise from the training sessions in Lahore from the coaches and players with me into the future. I’m looking ahead and into the future and I am confident that my international chance may yet come. I've always had a dream to play international cricket and that dream is still very much alive."