KARACHI: Pakistan speedster Mohammad Irfan is looking to emulate Wasim Akram’s 1992 World Cup feat in the forthcoming edition of the showpiece with outstanding performances with the cherry.

“It’s my dream and wish to emulate Wasim’s achievement which paved the way for Pakistan’s World Cup triumph 22 years ago,” Irfan said in an interview here at the National Stadium on Monday.

Left-armer Wasim, an icon of the game and all-time great, exhibited top-class pace and swing bowling during the 1992 World Cup claiming 18 wickets in the spectacle, including his memorable match-winning 3-49 show in the grand finale against England at Melbourne.

“With tips from Wasim and head coach Waqar Younis, I am trying to develop new armoury in my bowling,” the left-armer added.

Though final Pakistan squad for the World Cup is to be announced on Jan 7, the ICC deadline for all countries to name their 15-member squads, Irfan is almost certain to make the Australia-New Zealand bound party.

“I idolise Wasim, and I am trying to develop my bowling on the same style and record the same achievements,” 32-year-old Gaggu Mandi-born Irfan, said.

“The legendary Wasim-Waqar pace duo are a great inspiration and motivation for me,” the bowler, with 54 wickets in 38 ODIs at the average of 29.51, added.

Due to his extraordinary height, Irfan underlined, his length delivery was causing a lot of trouble for several top batsmen.

While aiming to help Pakistan regain the World Cup title through a combined effort with his team-mates, Irfan candidly acknowledged “in the presence of world’s top teams in Australia and New Zealand it will not be an easy task”.

He however added that with consistency in all departments backed by good fitness levels, Pakistan were capable of causing upset at the grand contest.

Irfan had a pretty impressive series against Australia and New Zealand recently.—APP

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2015

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