Injured Irfan ruled out of England tour

Mohammad Irfan, Pakistan's left-arm fast bowler, will not take further part in the England tour due to cramps he suffered in his left calf muscle in the fourth ODI.

Mohammad Irfan bowled just five overs in the fourth ODI against England.

Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been ruled out for the rest of the England tour after bowling just five overs in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) > at Leeds .

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Sunday that Irfan had suffered from cramps in his left calf muscle and will return to Lahore to work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy prior to the series against West Indies in the UAE starting later this month.

“Irfan suffered from cramping while playing the fourth ODI against England at Leeds. Irfan initially suffered cramps in his hamstring in that match and came off to receive treatment,” PCB said in a statement. “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 NCA,” it added.

It said that the team management had decided to retain Hassan Ali for the T20 international against England on September 7 at Manchester. Irfan was named by the selectors in the squad for the T20 match after being flown to England during the ODI series as a replacement for the unfit batsman, Mohammad Hafeez.

Pakistan’s head coach Mickey Arthur has expressed his frustration at the fitness of Irfan and the way he limped off during the fourth ODI. Hafeez also returned home complaining of a calf muscle injury.