Abdul Habib
19th April 2010

Yesterday Pakistan's captain, coach and chief selector all unanimously selected Mohammad Irfan to join the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup. Irfan's wildest dream had come true but today in a move that makes no sense to anyone who knows anything about cricket, Ijaz Butt has forced Abdul Rehman on the Pakistan team.

Rehman will become Pakistan's 5th spin bowling option. Does a team boasting the likes of Ajmal and Afridi need yet another spinner in their ranks?

Speaking exclusively to Cricistan.com Mohammad Irfan said that he was given the news by Waqar Younis.

"Wicky bhai came and informed me about the decision personally. He told me that I shouldn't lose heart and that I was still in his plans to play for Pakistan." stated a dejected Irfan.

Irfan said that naturally he's a little down about being dropped but that he hoped it meant that God had something better in store for him.

I reminded Irfan that T20 cricket was a risky business and not the best place for him to make his debut. He would only have 4 overs to impress and T20 was a game where any bowler can take a beating.

I told him that he was better off debuting in an ODI or a Test match where he would get 10 to 30 overs to show what he was capable of.

Irfan replied "I can see the logic in that Habib bhai and hopefully you're right about this. I have to focus on the future. My next assigment is to play the Pentangular tournament for the Baluchistan Bears and I will make sure that I raise my game even higher."

In conclusion I reminded Irfan that the most important part of this debacle was that Irfan was now a household name and that meant that even if he didn't get his chance this time. He was now on the radar and that he would get his chance very soon, Insha Allah (God Willing).

"Insha Allah" came the reply but the gloom was still there.

I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for Irfan, one minute he's realised the dream he toiled for over a decade to achieve. And the next minute it's snatched away.