Irfan may miss Ireland encounter due to injury

E-Paper | May 13, 2026

Pakistan's seven foot tall left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan has suffered an injury which may prevent him from taking part in Sunday's must-win game against Ireland, DawnNews reported.

Irfan suffered a recurrence of his hip injury during Pakistan's crucial game against South Africa but managed to complete the match, playing a pivotal role in the 29-run victory.

Leg spinner Yasir Shah is being tipped as Irfan's likely replacement for the all-important match.

The development may come as a big blow to Pakistan who are already without the services of key bowlers Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Junaid Khan for the World Cup.

According to Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, the pace trio Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and Mohammad Irfan had filled the void left by the absence of the stars bowlers brilliantly and were instrumental in keeping the Greenshirts alive in the World Cup.

They have combined for 28 of the 38 wickets his side have taken and UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir said his team felt they were as good as South Africa's attack of Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.

It is unclear whether Irfan's injury may also prevent him from playing the quarter-final should Pakistan progress.

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Ammar Gill Bwp

Mar 14, 2015 02:07pm

InshAllah he will be back in quarter! We need you irfan!

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Bob

Mar 14, 2015 02:08pm

It's ok. The Pakistani batsmen will deliver now.. Just watch !

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Mau Mau

Mar 14, 2015 02:14pm

We are going to quarter final. Cheers!

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Khalid

Mar 14, 2015 02:15pm

It will be a windfall for the players if they manage to lose against Ireland......in terms of money!

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carsten

Mar 14, 2015 02:16pm

pakistan may want to loose by a small margin and play kiwis in quaters

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True Mohajir

Mar 14, 2015 02:16pm

Please dont create hype. Irfan shall be rested which is quite logical to play Quarter final. He is not unfit but being rested.

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Kranti

Mar 14, 2015 02:18pm

This is OK. But if he misses for Australia match? LOL...

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Jude Allen

Mar 14, 2015 02:21pm

Irfan isest sh a great player but you cant base a victory on just one person. Its a team effort and team spirit that will get you the much needed victory. On that note, batsmen like Shahid Afridi need to tone down on the excitement. He cant keep swinging when he really needs to stay cautious. He is still destructive on the pitch and needs to maintain his calm and balance. He will have to patiently wait to play his best shots and take the quick singles as well. In all, I think the team is very capable and will look forward to seeing Misbah aim for a century this time. Its about time Misbah.

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naeem dean

Mar 14, 2015 02:39pm

wish irfan a very speedy recovery and a spinner for tomorrows match might be a blessing as recommended by the guru, khan.

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M.Saeed

Mar 14, 2015 02:52pm

This WC is a circus of serious upsets. Irfan has so far proved a real giant-killer for the opposition, not allowing a durable opening stands. Let us hope we have more wonder-performances to emerge tomorrow

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Mujji

Mar 14, 2015 03:03pm

Irish team is weak against leggies. May thats the reason to bring and Yasir in lineup and give rest to Irfan.

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guest poster

Mar 14, 2015 03:07pm

hamara har player match sae kuchh din pehlae injured hojata. pata naheen in kae saath kya masla hai. sari dunya main sports hota hai yeh pakistani pta naheen kaun see anokhi team hai kae jis ko daekho injured hai.

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M.Saeed

Mar 14, 2015 03:31pm

Cricket is a game of nerves now and we must act to strengthen nerves by not mentioning unfortunate upsets from history.

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Moshim Khan Mewati

Mar 14, 2015 04:45pm

Don't worry now? Yasir will fill his void absolutely vs Ireland tomorrow. We hope that Insa'ALLAH he will 100%fit for QUARTER-FINAL match vs AUSTRALIA...........Ehsan Aadil can became a secret weapon for Pak victory in later stage of the Mega-Event.

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VenuBangalore

Mar 14, 2015 05:17pm

your never know PCB. why players get injured before match ?

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sami

Mar 14, 2015 05:24pm

Now players have believe in themselves and Inshallah this one going to be big win against Ireland. Adalaide pitch is little slow but Pakistan has to bat with patience. If Irfan not playing then best five bowlers; 1. Wahab, 2. Sohail, 3 Rahat, 4. Afridi, 5. Yasir Shah, 6. Harris (opptional)

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dawn

Mar 14, 2015 06:17pm

Irfan the injury prone should be kept out for the rest of the tournament-ie., if we will have more games to play!

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Acp Rathod

Mar 14, 2015 06:25pm

@True Mohajir ...OK rest irfan and give new ball to nasir jamshed.

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Fiz

Mar 14, 2015 06:39pm

what a blow to the team. come on , you can still do it!

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Saima

Mar 14, 2015 07:01pm

Bad news, its him whom all of them are scared of. He should have been there for this deciding match.

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Saima

Mar 14, 2015 07:04pm

How do they always get injurred on the evening before match day? Yasir won't be able to make any impact. Irfan was feared by Ireland, now they will feel relaxed.

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Max

Mar 14, 2015 07:26pm

Pakistan won all the games with fast bowlers. Spinners will be disaster. Pakistan Batsmen are more confident, even #5 can make century. Left arm fast bowlers are the Key to win, but fast bowler Sohail can also make a difference. Pakistan Team well balanced; its good to rest Irfan for more important QF match. Time to take team out of cage for important fight. It's time to Kill and win all the matches.

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Zak

Mar 14, 2015 07:34pm

Pakistan, when fired up, are unbeatable. No team can withstand their tsunami.

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ahsan7979

Mar 14, 2015 07:38pm

Ireland has been playing good and Pakistan will have to play their best to beat them OR they can say good bye to the world cup.

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Noni

Mar 14, 2015 07:42pm

Fast Bowler Asif be immediately flown to Australia to help batsmen get experience with fast bowling during training in between matches along with giant spinner resting in Pakistan.

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NASR

Mar 14, 2015 08:12pm

Irfan is indispensable to Pakistan Cricket. Soon Pakistan bowling can become a formidable bowing side if Mohammed Amir gets back a place in Pakistan team. Irfan is in Australia where some best sports medicine facility is available and his recurring injury should be investigated while he is there.

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apoorva

Mar 14, 2015 09:10pm

Not a good news for Pakistan

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Mar 14, 2015 09:11pm

I would like Yasir Shah, but not on this ground. His temperament isn't classy and this isn't a development exercise. I would rather bowl 4 seamers with afridi and go all guns blazing.

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Jaago

Mar 14, 2015 09:33pm

Forget Irfan, Wahab Riaz is key. Ireland will be tough but Pak should win this one.

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Asad

Mar 14, 2015 09:43pm

"and UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir said his team felt they were as good as South Africa's attack of Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn" Whats UAE got to to do with this conversation!!!!!!!!!!!.

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Ammar Gill Bwp

Mar 14, 2015 10:10pm

@Acp Rathod just worry about your match against bangladesh! India is going to loose and humilated.

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pakistani

Mar 14, 2015 10:32pm

If not ireland then Australia will beat us. Win against Africa was just an upset. Overall Pakistan is a poor cricket team that we should accept.

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Bystander

Mar 14, 2015 10:56pm

Is not our team getting to 'Injury Team ' always there is a case of injury ? perhaps players don't care their selves.

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ENIGMA

Mar 15, 2015 12:14am

Irfan, please rest and get some much needed physical therapy so you can bounce back before the big game on Sunday. We wish you duas for a speedy recovery from your injury, your team needs you! The Pakistan cricket squad needs to take some of the luck o' the Irish and convert it to the luck o' the Pakistanis : D

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Asad

Mar 15, 2015 12:35am

Ireland will attack the spinners They are going to get a thrashing today.

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optimist

Mar 15, 2015 12:48am

Irfan should have been rested for the UAE match while Yasir Shah should not have played aginst India but against WI. If that has happened Pakistan would have qualified by now.

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Imran Quraishi

Mar 15, 2015 01:04am

@Oz .You are absoloutely right.

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Naeem Sajjad

Mar 15, 2015 02:00am

I am delighted at the news that akmal could be ruled out of this encounter.He along with kamran akmal has been given undue chance and deservers like sarfraz and yasir shah have been dropped,this stance has been proved by sarfraz's valiant innings and tremendous wicket keeping,as far as yasir shah's aptitude is concerned,the great spinner's,s.warne,words tell it all.

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Canada

Mar 15, 2015 02:06am

Unfortunately I do not think Irfan will have much of a career after the WC, he is too injury prone.

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Chewnti himat

Mar 15, 2015 02:49am

He is 7 foot 1 inch kills himself for his country by putting a lot of strain on his exceptionally long limbs to generate prodigious pace and bounce he may just win the World Cup for Pakistan INSHALLAH but in the process may irrevocably damage his body but being a true son of the soil this won't bother him the least.

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Guest

Mar 15, 2015 04:13am

@Ammar Gill Bwp India will get humiliated in your imagination while you have already been humiliated in reality. What a pity that your place is not certain in last 8 till today and you talking of humiliation to a team that finished on top of the pool winning all matches? Pray for some rain or interupptions

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dawn

Mar 15, 2015 04:35pm

Glad he missed it. Hopefully he heals (and heals well) after April 1.

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Sarah

Mar 15, 2015 04:57pm

Pakistan team has been doing what West Indies had been doing in 70-80s.Fire with fire,no team want to face 4 Fast bowlers at same time.It is nightmare for opposition as they can never relax.Rahat Ali has brought balance and effect of Test squad to ODI cricket.Pakistan team seems like hurricane unstoppable.

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