Openly admitting that it was “very frustrating” to see Muhammad Irfan bowling just five overs at Headingley before leaving the field, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has made it clear that he will not tolerate unfit and under-performing players in the national squad
Pakistan’s head coach Arthur (centre) chats with coach Mushtaq Ahmed (r) and Rahat Ali in London last month. PIC/Getty Images
Karachi: Openly admitting that it was “very frustrating” to see Muhammad Irfan bowling just five overs at Headingley before leaving the field, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has made it clear that he will not tolerate unfit and under-performing players in the national squad.
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Irfan, who was called into the squad as replacement for injured Mohd Hafeez, managed to claim two wickets in just five legitimate overs he bowled in the fourth ODI against England at Headingley before going off with cramps. He was then ruled out of the remainder of the England tour.
Irfan unhappy
“Irfan claimed that he told the head coach that he was fit but was still told to return to Lahore and report at the national cricket academy and be 100 per cent fit for the series against WI,” a source told PTI, He said Irfan had even asked the team management and trainers to take his fitness test. “Irfan is unhappy because he feels that the coach did not take his word and trusted him on his fitness,” the source said.
Millions of viewers saw Arthur getting angry and upset when Irfan came off the field with a hamstring or calf strain after bowling just five overs. In Hafeez’s case also Arthur had made it clear he would not allow unfit players to travel with the team. Hafeez is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA.
Hiding injuries
“In the past, some players used to hide their fitness issues in conjunction with the PCB medical panel and also by befriending the national team’s trainer or physio,” the source said. The culture, however, appears to be changing now as Arthur had brought in his own fielding coach Steve Rixon and physio/trainer Shane Hayes. Arthur has conveyed his concern over the way Irfan was sent to England without first checking his fitness to chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and a senior board official.
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