by Abdul Habib
24th April 2010

Speaking exclusively to Cricistan.com; Mohammad Irfan has revealed that he chose to stay in Pakistan and fight for a place in the national team instead of taking up a lucrative league contract in England. Earlier this year Irfan signed a contract with Moddershall CC which is a club in the Staffordshire league in England. Irfan doesn't come from a very rich background so the money from this contract would've made a big difference to him and his family.

But Irfan knows that this coming season will be his best chance to get into the Pakistan team and he doesn't plan to let anything stop him from achieving his dream.

"I was really excited about the league contract because I've never played in England before and it would've been beneficial for me to get used to those conditions. Also it would've helped to give me some financial stability whilst I continued to chase my dream of playing for Pakistan.

But at the end of the day I think it's best to be honest with others and with yourself too. My priority will always be to represent my country and the best way to achieve that is to stay here at the NCA and continue to attend camps and play as many games in Pakistan as I can. When I play here in Pakistan there's a greater chance for the selectors to spot me and hopefully that will increase my chances of getting picked this year." Irfan told Cricistan.com.

Irfan also revealed that he didn't want to let Moddershall CC down by having to walk out on them mid-season if he got called back to a training camp or even to the Pakistan team.

"At this stage in my career it's very important for me to participate in every event that the PCB calls me for, I want to make myself fully available. Because of that it wouldn't be fair for me to go over to England and then come back every time my name is included in a PCB camp or game. Moddershall deserves better than that." Irfan stated to Cricistan.com

Moddershall's Andy Hawkins had mixed emotions when he heard the news that Irfan wouldn't be playing for them this season.

"We were all very excited about having Irfan as our professional this season and we're disappointed to lose out on a talent like him. With his height and bounce he's something out of the ordinary and I think he'd be very successful on our pitches. But I also know that he's worked really hard to get noticed by the Pakistani selectors and I can understand why he's chosen to stay. I just hope that he fulfills his dream and gets selected for Pakistan." Andy told Cricistan.com

When I asked if they had lined up a replacement yet, Andy said that they were waiting on visa approval for Asad Ali of Faisalabad.

Asad Ali is a very good fast bowler himself and could turn out to be another shrewd pick by Moddershall CC.