Hamstring injury trims Irfan's England outing, will miss remaining matches
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KARACHI: Fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan on Saturday was ruled out of the remaining England tour because of the hamstring injury he sustained during the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against England at Headingly, Leeds.
Making his ODI return after a hiatus of eight months, the tall left-armer bowled a daunting five-over-long opening spell to dismiss both England openers at 12.5 apiece.
Read: Fourth ODI: Bairstow, Stokes half-centuries give England 4-0 lead
Irfan, however, could not return for a second spell, as spasms in his left and right calf denied him from bowling.
The 34-year-old was named in the 13-member squad for the one-off Twenty20 International against England on Sep 7 at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Following the injury, the team management requested to retain Hasan Ali as a replacement for Gentle Giant which was subsequently entertained by the country's cricket board.
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur admitted, after the penultimate ODI on Thursday, that he was 'frustrated' to see Irfan's fitness.
To a question regarding the left-arm bowler, Arthur said: "It's very frustrating. There were checks and balances in place [regarding Irfan's fitness].
"He was put on standby when we selected our one-day squad, he went to the national academy and did his training."
