Mohammad Irfan — Pakistan's ace left-arm fast bowler — failed to recover from an injury which eventually shattered his dreams of taking Pakistan to World Cup glory.
With no Irfan in the ranks, it would surely be a tough task for captain Misbah-ul-Haq to take on the mighty Australians.
Undoubtedly, the Australians are not only better in the batting department but also come out superior in bowling and fielding in head-to-head comparison with the Greenshirts.
As soon as the news of Irfan being ruled out of the tournament was confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), social media was abuzz with people expressing their shock and grief almost as if Pakistan has already lost the battle.
With the news going viral, #BringBackSaeedAjmal was popular too
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The big news shook all cricketing quarters
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While many were in doubts of the team's prospects, some were optimistic
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Some suggested replacements
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Don't ‘blame Misbah’ for this, some quipped
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Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (76) Closed
Arif Aslam Khan
Mar 17, 2015 06:25pm
Irafn can be replaced by Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman or Sohail Tanveer.
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ahsan7979
Mar 17, 2015 06:28pm
Send Saeed Ajmal if you can. He should have never played in the game against UAE.
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shaer Khan
Mar 17, 2015 06:30pm
A shaheen flies higher when the opposite wind is fast and furious. Go Pakistan I-A you will win as our prayers are with you.
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atif
Mar 17, 2015 06:31pm
for match against aussies, play yasir shah. meanwhile send saeed ajmal so that he is in australia if we r to play semi
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Talha
Mar 17, 2015 06:33pm
Bring Sami, or any fast bowler who bowled exceptionally well in domestic cricket.
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Adnan Khan
Mar 17, 2015 06:41pm
Saeed Ajmal, Junaid, or any other player flying from Pakistan will not have any better chance of success as compared to existing remaining 14. I reckon that we should stick with what resources we have and play aggressive cricket.
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asad
Mar 17, 2015 06:44pm
Game Over
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Anwer
Mar 17, 2015 06:53pm
Allah swt please help Pakistan,Ameen. Plz, selectors don't over look Yasir Shah. He is a diamond in the rough. Looks like it is more difficult to convince Waqar and Misbah than any one else in the world.
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cricket
Mar 17, 2015 07:07pm
@atif i dont think ajmal will go 2 reasons straight away semis and other is i dont think he will be 20% of the bowler he was with flawed action
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prada
Mar 17, 2015 07:07pm
Saeed ajmal is a spent force. Take a look at last two T20 WCs and many one dyers and tests after that
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Arif Ali
Mar 17, 2015 07:09pm
Don't worry. We have boom boom. 3 matches left. U can still break the century record.
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ahmad Zubairi
Mar 17, 2015 07:15pm
Sad news but not the end we should playhard and we can win against autralians. Junaid will be a good replacemtn if he is fit.I dont blame Misbah but just wondering if he complained of pain after Sa game why MRI was not done immediatly specially knowing he ha shad hip problems. We surely had time to senfd ina replacement then.Lets hope for the best. Yasir Shah should be seriously considered.
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KHAN
Mar 17, 2015 07:16pm
PCB wake up Time is running out !!!!
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sami
Mar 17, 2015 07:20pm
Our bowling without Irfan was able to contain explosive batsmen of Ireland. Ireland batting line up is as good as any other top team.
So should not panic as our bowling without Irfran is quite competitive and batting is also producing runs. What Pakistan needs is a plan to attack Aussies!!!
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f@/\/
Mar 17, 2015 07:29pm
Irfan is our hero,remaining 14 will have to maintain their fitness.
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FutureWizard
Mar 17, 2015 07:31pm
Just imagine, if the next match was against India?
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Khan
Mar 17, 2015 07:38pm
I think its a blessing in disguise. Australia would have played Irfan better than many. At least for the QF, Yasir S can now be included in the playing 11. Junaid might be the replacement if Pakistan goes into the semis and he has a very good record against the Indian line up and specially against Kohli that is if India wins against Bdesh.
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ather qureshi
Mar 17, 2015 07:44pm
By irfan being out for rest of the tournament undoubtedly a big blow to Pakistani pace attack but if the rest of the team plays to there full potential we will come up on the winning end Inshallah
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joe
Mar 17, 2015 07:46pm
Any bowler who can not last evening for 10 overs is unfit to be in a team.
He always have had fitness problems
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desi_boy
Mar 17, 2015 07:51pm
Really want to see Pak beat Aus. India's (assuming they beat BD) chances of winning against Aus are very low compared to winning against Pak (7-0???) mauka, mauka :-)
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Syed
Mar 17, 2015 07:54pm
Give Saeed Ajmal head up to be ready in case of semi, this is good opportunity
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rahul
Mar 17, 2015 07:55pm
Dave Middleton - Irfan stood head and shoulders above others. Now he's out, #PAK face a "tall" order v #AUS
LOL no puns intended hahaha
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Pakfan
Mar 17, 2015 07:56pm
Hope PCB have his replacement ready for semis.
What ever the odds are and that the way Pakistan is playing recently, there is 50% chance to qualify for semis....
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Pakfan
Mar 17, 2015 08:05pm
@rahul Pakistan predictably unpredictable is enough for any opponent ;)
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WC
Mar 17, 2015 08:06pm
i think pakistan can still win the game. i see no danger to team pakistan.
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Tariq
Mar 17, 2015 08:07pm
Pakistani team knew that they would some how make to quater finals and the panic did not settle in even when they came to the verge of being knocked out. They also some how know that they will lose against australia.. therefore wether irfan plays or not will not change the outcome.
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Haider Rehman
Mar 17, 2015 08:11pm
We still have Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan. Add Yasir or Saeed Ajmal. It's good enough. Bowlers have taken enough burden. Time for Batsmen to deliver.
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Anwar
Mar 17, 2015 08:11pm
PCB, head coach, and physio to blame for his injuries. They have no idea how to protect their players. Imagin, Junaid, Hafeez, and now Irfan all are unfit and struggling. They need to learn how to protect and rehabilitate the players. Good luck Pakistan in the hand of non professional handlers.
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Nadeem
Mar 17, 2015 08:23pm
Best of luck green shirts!
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desi_boy
Mar 17, 2015 08:29pm
@joe You can't blame Irfan's fitness. Tall folks always have issues especially those who are involved with sports. They tend to have all kinds of stress fractures. Its a well known fact. Being tall is an advantage but it also brings forward all the health negatives.
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citizen
Mar 17, 2015 08:31pm
Team got other 11 tigers..why to worry?
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junaid
Mar 17, 2015 08:33pm
Pak needs a cunning bowler like ajmal. Maxwell will eat them alive otherwise.
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azmat
Mar 17, 2015 08:50pm
If Junaid Khan is fit, send him in. No point in sending Saeed Ajmal at this stage. he will be under immense pressure with his new bowling action which will be compounded by the knockout nature of the games.
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Nisar
Mar 17, 2015 09:00pm
@citizen Agree, Irfan is out, lets deal with it, Junaid will be a good replacment if Pak move to the Semis. But i have full faith in Wahab, Rahat, Ehsan and Sohail, that they will deliver.
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optimist
Mar 17, 2015 09:03pm
PCB can pick either Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzak or Mohammad Sami. Quick action is required so the player has some net practice before the semi-final game.
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khan
Mar 17, 2015 09:07pm
Saeed Ajmal at this stage is not the good replacement because every player need some time to get awareness of the overseas conditions straight away asking to get ready for quarterfinal match is a bad idea and more over he is having a different action now he will not be much worthy as he was suppose to be earlier (before ban) so overall Saeed ajmal is not the right decision . Yasir shah should play in place of Irfan .
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khan
Mar 17, 2015 09:14pm
Why MRI test of Irfan is so delayed , the moment Irfan complained about pain the same time they should have taken the MRI test .
But no every body is sleeping no quick action . If they have called Junaid in place of Irfan at least a week before Junaid would have been ready for Quarter final. No proper planing
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syed wasim haider
Mar 17, 2015 09:29pm
We can beat any side even without Mohammaed Irfan if we bat well.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Mar 17, 2015 09:43pm
No doubt a big shock for the green-shirts but life must go on as nobody is indispensable in cricket.
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cric guy
Mar 17, 2015 09:46pm
We should play shah untill junaid don't arrive
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Afridi
Mar 17, 2015 09:49pm
They should send Talha as replacement. A fast bowler who bowls accurate, swings and is between 140-145 kph. He is much better than Ehsan Adil. Against Australia they should play Yasir and if we win then add Talha and go with 4 fast bowlers. Saeed Ajmal is a spent force just like Shahid Afridi, Yunus Khan and Mohd Hafeez. Go forward with new better players like India did and stop living in the past. Past is history.
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A. Ahmad
Mar 17, 2015 09:54pm
Please send Ajmal or Junaid before Aus game ... hurry up!
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IndianaJones
Mar 17, 2015 09:57pm
one more excuse added in the list..best of luck pakistan
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R.Kannan
Mar 17, 2015 10:05pm
Sad news. Irfan could have made a difference
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zeeshan
Mar 17, 2015 10:13pm
Bring Fawad alam and make batting stronger
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Ramesh Krishnan
Mar 17, 2015 10:22pm
Pakistan should take care of their players fitness...Its sad to see them getting injured at the time of crucial tournaments...Junaid Khan, Umar gul, Irfan..List is long...
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Fakhir
Mar 17, 2015 10:30pm
Pakistan did good in last match. Just play positive cricket. You are any way winners of our heart. No matter you win or loose. You people played so well despite of sinking ship of Pakistan.
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NASIM KHAN
Mar 17, 2015 10:39pm
Look what comes in your way, dont look back.
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Aurangzeb
Mar 17, 2015 10:51pm
Saeed Ajmal is conditional cleared mean not play world cup.
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Ahnold
Mar 17, 2015 10:58pm
Atif Anwar winning at the Arnold bodybuilding Classic in Australia is as proud moment as a World Cup but is being ignored. Hope our cricket team finds the same success.
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faisal
Mar 17, 2015 10:59pm
Pakistan board dont wait for ICC funding to replace Irfan.....somone should support to fly out Junaid to Australia....meanwhile Yasir Shah is the best option.
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Zahid Abbas
Mar 17, 2015 11:30pm
If Pakistan Beats Australia, I would prefer Shoaib Malik to be the part of team as he is an all rounder and is already acclimatized with the Australian conditions + we need all rounder in the side who can do bit of a fielding as well. Why is out of this team is beyond me.
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Mein_Jinn
Mar 17, 2015 11:38pm
I am sorry but Irfan didn't do that great against India or South Africa. He is an okay bowler.
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jimmy rocks
Mar 17, 2015 11:52pm
@FutureWizard
Buddy you have a short memory. In the match against India, he took no wickets and gave off 58 runs. He was one reason India scored 300 runs. You may love him for some reason. I personally felt he was overhyped. Remember, you should be balanced. Given his height, he was always gonna be a suspect for injury.
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Ahmer
Mar 17, 2015 11:52pm
I seems Allah is favouring Australia in this match and does not wish Pakistan to win WC 2015.
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ali
Mar 18, 2015 12:20am
Whats the point sending another fast bowler? When wahab and sohail are doing the job.
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MARK ARVIND
Mar 18, 2015 12:31am
Irfan was a over rated bowler. He was clumsy on the field. Useless as a batsman. Apart from his height he really was no better than any other bowler out there. Pakistan has a vast number of players who can easily replace him and not be at a disadvantage. Bring in Ajmal or Tanvir or any other fast bowler from the backwoods, it will still be fine. So there is no reason to sweat about it.
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Shahid
Mar 18, 2015 12:51am
Now Yasir Shah is a must. We surely needed three left arm fast bowlers against Australia. If we win, I hope Moin Khan doesn't do another Ehsan Adil but goes for Junaid or Ajmal. Both could be lethal against India.
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Whatashame
Mar 18, 2015 12:54am
Watch Sohail Tanvir enjoy another vacation in Australia
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NASR
Mar 18, 2015 12:56am
A fighting force will still look to forge ahead after a combatant is lost.
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Shahid
Mar 18, 2015 12:56am
Junaid Khan, start bowling in the nets. Should be called to academy right away. His visa and everything should be ready.
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Hyder
Mar 18, 2015 01:44am
Sir,
Misbah's stupid leadership and stubborn nature has made Irfan play against the minnows instead of playing him in big matches only!!!
The physio and the entire fitness specialist need to be sacked as a lot of cricketers have got injured in recent months and none of them were looked after well by the physio and his team.
Regards
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Mpuri
Mar 18, 2015 01:49am
@sami and so is Nambia, Bermuda, Uganda's batting>>>.what r u talking here?
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pakistani
Mar 18, 2015 03:25am
Whether urban plays or not Pakistan.cannot win against I'm form Australian team and will beat India.as well.
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Ragu
Mar 18, 2015 03:26am
I am a fan of your Irfan; I pray to GOD, so that you heal fast and bowl even better than before. You will make Pakistan a great team to follow.
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s
Mar 18, 2015 04:10am
Take a moment and express some gratitude for Irfan's dedication and grit. The gentle giant gave so mmuch for us. May he heal quickly inshAllah, for his own sake. And then the team's.
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Jamal AAnjum
Mar 18, 2015 04:28am
It is unfortunate that Irfan is injured. PCB has decided to send him back to Pakistan. The tragedy, however, opens the door for Saeed Ajmal. Saeed should now be sent to play the QF.
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SM
Mar 18, 2015 04:32am
Pakistan board should replace him with a spinner as Australians do not play well against them. It will also curtail their run-rate. Replacing him with another fast bowler may not be a wise decision.
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Vish1
Mar 18, 2015 06:38am
@asad Game was always over! The question is -- by what margin!
This mighty Australia team consists of many fearless impact players -- Finch, Warner, Smith, Maxwell, Watson, and Faulkner (not counting Clarke)! They are likely to test even India in the semi-final match...
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GREEN JAGUAR
Mar 18, 2015 06:50am
No worries, we wish and pray a full recovery for our big guy who made history in this World Cup. He will get future opportunities to play again as long as his recovery is based upon sound health and nutrition practices.
Latest news is that Pakistan will be using some surprise tactics, and this will take them swiftly to the next level, Inshallah.
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Nomi
Mar 18, 2015 07:14am
When the going gets tough, the tough get going !! Sad the big guy is out but brilliant opportunity for secret weapon Yasir Shah !!... All we need is sanity in selecting the playing 11 #playyasirshah
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Independent Observer
Mar 18, 2015 09:24am
Why wait to qualify for semis to send in Junaid Khan? He should be on the first flight out.
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MK
Mar 18, 2015 12:22pm
@syed wasim haider , if Pakistan can beat any team, why did they lost two matches in this present world cup. Have sense in what you talk.
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Bader
Mar 18, 2015 01:22pm
Do not make the mistake of sending in Saeed Ajmal. There are empires there who are waiting to reign him in for chucking.
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omar
Mar 18, 2015 01:56pm
Please please can you play Yasir Shah against Australia...South Africas part timer got wickets today, Yasir Shah is a future Shane Warne and Australia will not be able to play him. I have seen enough cricket to know this. It seems as though its too late to bring Junaid in, get Yasir Shah into that team. It will be one of the better decisions the the management have made.
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Waqar
Mar 18, 2015 10:35pm
No need of any replacement. Yasir Shah is an obvious option.
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