Mohammad Irfan Biography

Mohammad Irfan, born on June 6, 1982, is a renowned Pakistani cricketer who has proudly represented Pakistan in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 cricket. Standing at an impressive height of 7’1″ (216 cm), he holds the distinction of being the tallest player ever to grace the field of first-class and international cricket.

Mohammad Irfan (Cricketer) Height, Age, Wife, Affairs & More

Mohammad Irfan, the fast bowler, was born on June 6, 1982, in Burewala, Punjab, Pakistan. He is a prominent Pakistani cricketer, recognized for his remarkable height of 7.1 feet. Irfan has made notable contributions to the Pakistan cricket team across various formats including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 cricket. His towering stature has earned him the distinction of being the tallest player to have ever competed in both first-class and international cricket.

Family

Irfan was born into a Muslim Jat farming family in the village of Gaggo Mandi, located in Central Punjab. He grew up with two sisters and four brothers, all of whom stood over six feet tall. Additionally, his father boasts an impressive height of 6’9″ (205 cm). Before pursuing a career in professional cricket, Irfan worked at a plastic pipe factory to provide for his family.

Domestic Career

First-Class Contract

Following his remarkable performance, Irfan caught the attention of coaches at the National Cricket Academy. As a result, he received numerous offers from first-class teams, such as Habib Bank and ZTBL. However, it was the KRL opener, Azhar Ali, who played a pivotal role in convincing KRL coach Rashid Iqbal to provide Irfan with a trial opportunity at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

T20 Franchise Career

Irfan made an announcement stating that he had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to represent them in the 2011 IPL Season. However, it is important to note that the deal is contingent upon approval from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The primary reason Irfan was given a trial opportunity with KKR was due to the recommendation made by former Pakistani pace-bowler Wasim Akram to the KKR management. As per the terms of his contract, Irfan stands to earn $75,000 as a base salary, with an additional $2,000 for every game he participates in.

International Career

Early Days

Before his cricketing career took off, Irfan worked in a pipe factory where he earned a meager wage of only 300 rupees ($3) per week. It was during a club match that former first-class cricketer Nadeem Iqbal noticed Irfan’s talent, which eventually led to his debut for the Pakistan national cricket team at the age of 28.

Irfan’s entry into the team came as a replacement for two key bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who were involved in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010. This presented a significant opportunity for Irfan to establish himself in the team, as Pakistan sought to move forward without their two renowned bowlers. However, Irfan’s ODI debut against England in 2010 faced a setback with the match being reduced by 9 overs due to adverse weather conditions.

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Some lesser-known facts about Mohammad Irfan

• Before venturing into cricket, Irfan worked in a plastic pipe factory.
• Despite signing a contract with IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011, recommended by Wasim Akram, Irfan never played for the team.
• With a shoe size of 15 (UK), Irfan’s stature is truly remarkable on and off the cricket field.
• It’s not known whether Mohammad Irfan smokes.
• Similarly, his alcohol consumption habits are also not known.
• Standing at an impressive height of 7’1″, Irfan holds the title of the tallest cricketer in the world.
• Azhar Ali played a pivotal role in Irfan’s cricket journey by persuading Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) coach Rashid Iqbal to give him an opportunity.
• Aaqib Javed took notice of Irfan’s talent, leading to his training at the National Academy in Lahore.

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