Mohammad Irfan Reveals Ordeal after Serving Six-Month PSL Spot-Fixing Ban
Sep 21, 2017 at 4:01 PM
The lanky fast bowler from Pakistan, Mohammad Irfan after serving a six-month suspension enforced by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), in the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing case revealed his ordeal while terming the ban harsh which eventually broke him down mentally and physically.
“The last six months have been very tough on me,” Irfan was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
Irfan was found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct of the Board while coming in the direct contact of the bookmaker and eventually failed to report owing to the constitution.
Irfan’s six-month lay-off is seen as a transformation phase for the bowler to get himself into the groove, before firing on all cylinders, to earn the place in the national team.
“These six months, I think I can view it as a rest period which will help me rejuvenate,” Irfan said.
The 35-year-old Punjab-born Irfan might be eager to return to the limited-overs fold, but he reiterated it was painful half-and-hear to be out of the top-flight cricket.
While revealing the secret of his fitness, Irfan was undergoing a rigorous training at the private gym to gear up for the much-awaited schedule in the foreseeable fixtures.
“I was actually working in my private gym at home to keep myself fit,” Irfan further added.
Irfan, who has enjoyed the quality off-time as of now, is in good stead – to make a return to the limited-overs set-up after participating in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – the premium domestic competition in first-class cricket.
“I hope things will go well. I have been resting with no workload, and that has really helped me,” Irfan maintained.
Irfan, who was touted as next big thing in bowling, however, described there were no fixing allegations levelled against him while adding he is lucky to escape the grave ramifications.
“There was no fixing allegations against me. But, in all this, I am thankful the situation wasn’t any worse,” Irfan added.
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Irfan admitted the fact that the six-month ban from all forms of international cricket post the second edition of PSL held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) proved more sought of a ‘six years.’
“In fact, it felt like six years, during which I incurred great losses,” Irfan revealed.
However, the limited-overs pace portent Irfan further went on to admit his mistake by stating he should have reported to the Board very early – to make this more ideal at the first instance.
“Indeed, it was my mistake, and I admitted it instantly,” Irfan concluded.
Following the completion of the ban, Irfan is bound to deliver a lecture to its team members owing to the rehabilitation programme from ACU.
Irfan after making his international debut in 2010 against England at Chester-le-Street played 60 ODIs, 20 Twenty20 internationals and four Tests. He bagged 108 wickets across all three formats.