18th April 2010
 

Mohammad Irfan was watching the TV in his room at the Lahore NCA when there was a newsflash on Geo reporting that both Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami had been selected to join the Pakistan T20 World Cup squad. Irfan was aware of a team meeting taking place at the NCA but was still a little shocked to see the news announced all over the media.

Irfan exclusively told Cricistan.com about what he was feeling at the time "I was in a state of shock; I couldn't believe what I was watching. Of course I'd been hoping for this to happen but never did I dream that it would happen as quickly and dramatically as this. I was preparing myself for a possible call up to play during the games coming up in England later this year but this is totally unexpected."

The first person to congratulate Irfan was a friend from Burewala who called him on the phone as he sat in front of the TV still taking the news in. Irfan then came out of his room and met Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis who both told him to come to a meeting of the Pakistan team.

"Afridi said mubarak lambu you've made it into the team and Wicky bhai said shabash (well done) this is the reward for all your hard work and perseverance." a stunned Irfan told Cricistan.com.

During the meeting Irfan was officially told of his selection and congratulated by everyone. Sami was welcomed back into the team whilst Irfan was welcomed for the first time and told that the real hard work begins now.

"I'm going to be fitted for my official Pakistan kit tomorrow, then I'm to report to the NCA on the 23rd to join the team before we fly out on the 24th."

"I'd like to thank my parents for all their patience and prayers, as well as all those who've supported me in my cricket career. From the first day that Nadeem Iqbal spotted me to this day when I've been called up to play for Pakistan." said an emotional Irfan to Cricistan.com.

I reminded Irfan that he had to carry on the tradition of Pakistan debuting left arm bowlers in T20 World Cups. Tanvir was a success in 2007, Aamer in 2009 and hopefully Irfan will do it in 2010.

I asked Irfan if he had anything else to add and he was very adamant that I include the following quote.

"I'd like to thank the people behind Cricistan.com who've supported me from day one. Just over a year ago, I'd given up cricket and I was working as a foreman in a plastic pipe factory when Abdul Habib (currently with Cricistan.com) arranged for me to meet Aqib Javed who was then the assistant coach of Pakistan. When Aqib saw me, he was so impressed that he asked me to come back to the NCA the next day and then my journey began. Habib and Cricistan.com supported me even through the bad times, they were there to reassure me when things weren't going as planned and congratulate me when things were going good. They never gave up on me."

"I would like other organisations and companies in Pakistan to learn from Cricistan.com and to also extend their support and sponsorship to other youngsters as well. There are many youngsters in Pakistan who can’t dedicate time to following their sporting dreams because they don't know anyone influential or because their families need them to be the breadwinners. Initiatives like this one are needed to help more sportsmen achieve their dreams." said Irfan in a message to businesses and organisations in Pakistan.

If Irfan debuts for Pakistan then at 6'10 he'll become the tallest player to play international cricket in the history of the game. Previously Bruce Reid and Joel Garner were the tallest at 6'8 but Irfan has 2 inches on them.