Mohammad Irfan

Intimidatingly tall at 7 feet 1 inch, Mohammad Irfan is one of the lucky few pacers in Pakistan to get a call-up at the age of 28, for a country which breeds out and out quick bowlers right from the raw teens. After impressing one and all at the National Cricket Academy in Pakistan, Mohammad Irfan got numerous offers from various domestic sides. But it was Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali who recommended his name to his head coach after Irfan impressed in a game against Pakistan A. He was signed on by KRL after he accepted their offer for a trial.

Due to lack of opportunities in his home town of Gaggu Mandi, he quit cricket and did a full time job in order to provide income for his family. Former Pakistan bowler Aaqib Javed noticed his talent and enrolled him to the NCA in Lahore. It wasn't long before he was called up as a replacement for Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amer. His ODI debut was cut short due to rain and then while bowling he suffered cramps. He was considered to be one of the tallest fast bowlers of his generation. In 2011, he was selected by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL but couldn't participate. However, a year later, he was back in national colours, playing his first T20I against India.

Delivering from a height of somewhere near 8 feet, Irfan started causing awkwardness to world-class batsmen early in his career. His height had its own disadvantages too. It is a comical sight in cricket when Mohammad Irfan bends or chases to field a ball. Waqar Younis had once admitted on air that it is not an easy task to maintain such a huge frame and stay fit for long. Irfan, however, worked very hard and proved that he could remain match-fit throughout the length of a Test match. With such incredible talent, Irfan has achieved a lot in a short span in international cricket and if he he remains consistent, he can reach great heights.