Lahore - Pakistan fast bowler M Irfan says he will no longer play Test cricket so he can fully focus on his One-day International (ODI) and Twenty20 career.
In order to make sure he is part of the Pakistan set-up for next year's tournament, Ifran has now made himself unavailable for Test selection in the hope the added rest will help him to avoid more injuries in future. "I know I have to manage my workload and playing Tests is an added pressure, hence I have decided to play T20s and ODIs only," Irfan said during the summer camp being organised here at the Gaddafi Stadium.
"I am feeling good fitness and of course the target is to win the World Cup for Pakistan," he added.
Ifran is looking to return to the Pakistan squad in time for the matches against Australia and New Zealand in the UAE in October, with his ultimate goal being the 2015 World Cup. "I will have to ensure that I don't get dropped. I don't know what the selectors have decided for me for this year, but I am focusing on the 2015 World Cup. "I am disappointed at missing a lot of cricket but I am working hard on my fitness and ensuring this time that I can go a long way without breaking down."
The 31-year-old has been out of action for the last seven months after picking up a hip injury during a Twenty20 game against South Africa in Dubai last November. The seven feet one inch paceman initially rushed his recovery only to make the initial problem worse and was only cleared to take part in fitness sessions here at the National Cricket Academy last month.
In the last 18 days, Irfan has undergone extensive fitness sessions in the summer camp here at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. He has started bowling in the nets, his daily routine split into two sessions of 30 minutes each.
Irfan said he was looking forward to bowling in bouncy pitches in Australia which would suit his high-arm action. "It's a big event, every player feels honoured to play it. In Australia pitches are very bouncy and are suitable for me and obviously I got a height factor and I can do well. If I managed to sustain my 100 per cent fitness I can win everything all alone, single handedly," he added.
The selectors are not likely to take a chance on Irfan for their August tour of Sri Lanka, with the all-important series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October-November a more realistic target for a comeback. Pakistan then play New Zealand in the UAE, and tour New Zealand for a short limited over series before the World Cup in 2015.