WELLINGTON - Given that Pakistan had played 26 of their past 29 ODIs in Asia, it was perhaps unsurprising that they looked a little rusty in their ODI series opener against New Zealand in Wellington. One glimmer of light for the visitors was Mohammad Irfan. The giant paceman showed signs that bowling Down Under could be very much to his liking come World Cup time.
Despite a spectacular innings of 67 from 29 balls from Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's total of 210 never looked like being enough. So it proved as the Black Caps coasted home by seven wickets with more than 10 overs to spare. Misbah-ul-Haq's side may have looked off the pace for much of the encounter at the Westpac Stadium, but there were some causes for cautious optimism.
Most encouraging perhaps were the efforts of M Irfan. Bowling figures of 10 overs, one wicket for 60 don't immediately hint at a promising outing. The left-arm seamer showed enough to suggest that good things are round the corner, though.
Bowling quickly and getting disconcerting bounce, Irfan caused problems for all of New Zealand's high-class top order. The 32-year-old claimed the wicket of Martin Guptill and could have had more as catches fell just out of the reach of fielders and edges flew through vacant slip areas. There is certainly room for improvement from the 7'1" bowler. On a pitch offering more bounce than the featherbeds found in the United Arab Emirates, he bowled a little too short at times. When he did find the right length, though, the batsmen found batting an extremely uncomfortable experience.
The tall quickie is a novice in Antipodean conditions. Saturday's match in Wellington was Irfan's international debut in New Zealand. He's yet to make his bow in Australia either. The pitches in both countries should suit his "hit the deck" style. Pakistan don't have any World Cup matches scheduled for the WACA in Perth. They do play Zimbabwe at the Gabba in Brisbane, though, which has become very fast-bowler friendly.
Arguably the biggest match of the tournament between old rivals India and Pakistan takes place in Adelaide on Sunday, 15 February. India have struggled against the bounce generated by 6'7" Englishman Steve Finn in the recent tri-series. M.S. Dhoni's men can expect more of the same from Irfan, even on a pitch not noted for its generous carry.
Indeed when Irfan has got it right, the results have been spectacular, as the South Africans can testify. Irfan has lofty ambitions for this year's 50-over campaign. He said: "I want to perform in the World Cup just as Wasim Akram did it in 1992 World Cup. I want to make my contribution in Pakistan’s campaign. I am hopeful we will retain the title Down Under."
With the batsmen struggling for runs, the bowlers lacking penetration and the fielding sometimes ragged, Pakistan look long shots for World Cup glory. Exactly the same criticisms could have been levelled at Imran Khan's side at the start of their 1992 campaign. We all know how that ended up. If the 2015 vintage of Pakistan's "cornered tigers" are to roar again, much will rest on Irfan's considerable shoulders.