Pak quick Irfan eyeing 'four or five years' in national squad despite fitness issues

Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is reportedly aiming to play in the national team for another four or five years and has expressed confidence that issues with his age and fitness will not hinder his playing prospects in the future.

According to the Express Tribune, the towering left-arm pacer, who has represented Pakistan in two Tests, 19 one-days and four Twenty20s, has already been a revelation in his short career, troubling the best batsmen in world cricket with his speed, accuracy and vicious bounce.

Stating that he is working hard to rectify his fitness issues, Irfan said that he is targeting to represent Pakistan for another four to five years, adding that he hoped to serve his country to the best of his abilities as there is nothing like winning matches for one's nation.

The bowler also revealed that he had feared that he would never be able to play for Pakistan after he was completely sidelined from the national side for more than 18 months after failing to impress against England in two ODIs in 2010, adding that the experience made him 'aware of life'.

Praising bowling great Wasim Akram, Irfan said that Akram helped him develop a 'lethal in-swinger' to right-handers during a two-week bowling camp, adding that now he can swing the ball both ways and has improved his efficiency under the mentorship of Akram.