New Delhi: Come World Cup and the tallest bowler Mohammad Irfan wants to repeats what the legend bowler Wasim Akram did for Pakistan 23 years ago.
Wasim anchored Pakistan's only World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand 23 years ago, finishing as the player of the tournament with 18 wickets.
“It feels good that I perform for Pakistan and want people to remember me with good words when I finish my career.”
His giant stature makes him a dangerous bowler as each ball is released from a height rarely experienced by batsmen.
If pitched short, the batsman needs to tackle it with a jump and if pitched full, it requires guile to dig it out. But it hasn't always been an easy ride for Irfan.
“World Cup is a big event and every player has a desire to play it,” said Irfan.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq is confident that Irfan can provide the X-factor on the fast, bouncy tracks of Australia.
“Irfan knows his strength which comes as a result of his imposing size and I'm confident that he'll deliver the goods for us in the World Cup,” says Misbah Ul Haq, the captain.
However his imposing size has drawbacks as well. Biggest is to find a proper sized shoes.
“I didn't get proper sized shoes. But all problems have been sorted out after playing for Pakistan.” Team managers still have to make sure hotels provide him with special beds.
Unable to make a breakthrough in the sport, Irfan used to work in a pipe factory, earning just 300 rupees a week.
It was a dream come true when Irfan was selected for the tour of England in 2010, but things didn't go his way.
He was unable to get a single wicket in his first two one-day internationals and was discarded as someone “not ready for international cricket”.
His career revived tow years later and on the tour of India in December 2012 and South Africa he became an instant hit.
Irfan took 11 wickets in Pakistan's 3-2 defeat in South Africa and cemented his place in the team as spearhead of the attack.
He played in most of the matches in Pakistan's series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates late in 2013 and was left seriously injured. He missed both the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 in early 2014.
But extra work in the gym and close attention by medical staff helped him stage a comeback in the New Zealand series and he was Pakistan's best bowler with nine wickets in the 3-2 defeat.
