Irfan’s poor show against Australia ‘embarrasses’ experts

• Mohammad Irfan suffered a drubbing at the hands of Aussies captain Aaron Finch.
• Akhtar says Irfan lacks the fitness and form for the Australian tour.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Irfan's much anticipated return to international cricket turned out to be a nightmare after the lanky speedster got hammered by the Aussies in their opening Twenty20 international on Sunday.  

Pakistan got saved by the rain against Australia as persistent showers halted a rampant Aaron Finch as Australia headed for victory in their first T20I at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“The way Irfan started off with the ball, it was embarrassing to look at as he was unable to land like a bad plane,” said Raja in a video. Irfan went for 31 runs for no wicket in his two overs, as the fast bowler suffered a drubbing at the hands of Aussies captain Aaron Finch.

“I am unable to comprehend the logic behind his [Irfan] selection, because if he was selected for the Australian tour only on the base of his 7ft height, then the selector should have looked into his form as well,” questioned the former captain.

Raja, however, admitted that it is difficult to make a comeback into international cricket after an absence of two, three years. “I believe Pakistan needs to rethink its strategies, they could go for Imad Wasim with the new ball, as he was looking a much safer bet then Irfan,” he said.

Similar views were expressed by former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, saying that the fast bowler was not in form for the tour. “Irfan lacks the fitness, energy neither has he trained himself for the Australian tour…. So I think that the selectors have made a mistake, but I still believe he should get another chance,” said Akhtar.

The visitors managed 107 for five in a reduced 15 overs due to the weather at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Australia set a target of 119 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Australia started their chase quickly, but were left stranded on 41 without loss when the match was abandoned, with no result declared.

The series moves to Canberra on Tuesday and a final game in Perth.