Mohammad Irfan ruled out of remainder of England tour

Mohammad Irfan, the Pakistan left-arm pacer, has been ruled out of the remainder of the England tour due to fitness issues, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday (September 3). Fellow paceman Hasan Ali, who is set to feature in the final One Day International (ODI) against England on Sunday, has been named Irfran's replacement in the Pakistan squad for the one-off Twenty20 International (T20I).

"Irfan initially suffered cramps in his hamstring in that match (at Headingley) and came off to receive treatment. He returned to play and later on complained about cramps in his left and right calf that prevented him bowling further in the match. He will return to Pakistan and will work on his fitness in the National Cricket Academy (in Lahore)," a PCB media release stated.
 
"The team management has asked to retain Hasan Ali for the T-20I against England on September 7, 2016. The national selection committee has concurred with this request and the Board has agreed to name Hasan Ali in place of Mohammad Irfan for the T20," the statement added.
 
Irfan, who was included in the squad as a replacement for the injured Mohammad Hafeez, managed only five legitimate overs in the fourth ODI against England at Headingley before going off with cramps, much to the annoyance of coach Mickey Arthur.
 
Pakistan lost the match by four wickets to go 4-0 down in a five-match series. However, the outcome might have been different had the 34-year-old Irfan, who removed openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales in a return of two for 26, stayed on the field. The towering left-armer conceded three wides and also received two official warnings from the umpires for running on the pitch during his brief outing with the ball.
 
"It's very frustrating," Arthur had said on Thursday. "There were checks and balances in place. He was put on standby when we selected our one-day squad, he went to the NCA and did his training. He played two 50-over games and 20-over game and was resident at the NCA for a period of a week and a half."
 
Azhar Mahmood, who spoke to reporters on the eve of the final ODI, also expressed his disappointment over Irfan's fitness problems. "Definitely Mickey was unhappy (to see Irfan go off) and as bowling coach I was unhappy as well. We had a chance to win that game (at Headingley) the other day. If we can get two (more) wickets it will be a different ball game. Unfortunately, everyone gets cramp. He is a big guy and his body is totally different to a normal human."