Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan said that he has been overwhelmed by the hospitality his Oman-based countrymen have shown him in Muscat on his maiden visit to the Sultanate.
Irfan, who is on a two-day visit to Muscat, attended the finals of two cricket tournaments organised by the Pakistan Social Club (PSC). The matches were played, one following the other, at Yahya Construction Ground in Bousher.
“Before I came here, I didn’t know what it would be like, but when I got here, the warm welcome that I received just overwhelmed me. I’m very grateful for the love and hospitality shown to me by my fellow Pakistanis here in Oman. In fact, it didn’t feel like I had travelled to Oman. It felt like I was in Lahore or Karachi.
“When I checked into my hotel, fans even came into my room and took selfies, but I didn’t mind. It’s the first time I’ve come to Oman, and it has been a good experience for me,” he said.
The pacer added that he was focussed on performing well in first class cricket and hoped that it would propel him back onto the Pakistani national team.
“Right now, I’m trying to do well in first class and domestic cricket. I hope to perform well.
“I am also focussed on my fitness, because every time I’ve been removed from the Pakistani national team, it has been because of my fitness. My height makes me vulnerable to injuries and a long healing process, so I have to work extra hard to get fit and stay fit.
“I am going to play in a tournament in Canada, and hope to get the visa done by June 24. So, that is my immediate plan,” he said.
Irfan added that he had been proud of the way Pakistani players had performed in their first test against England, as they convincingly defeated the home team.
“I was very impressed with the way our team performed in the first test. It is not easy to go out there and beat a team like England on their home turf. Hopefully, they will carry on and keep it up,” Irfan added.
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