The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Irfan is available for selection: Kirtsen

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Irfan is available for selection: Kirtsen

Principal Correspondent

Karachi: The initial steps were tentative but as a hot and humid morning ebbed away at the NBP Ground here on Tuesday, Irfan Pathan began to run in harder while bowling in the Indian team’s practice session ahead of the STAR Cricket Asia Cup match against Pakistan here on Wednesday.

Pathan may not have gone full-tilt but there was a sense of assurance in his moves and coach Gary Kirsten had the final word on his fitness. “Irfan is fine and he is available for selection,” Kirtsen said.

Irfan, had missed the earlier three ODIs in the Asia Cup due to a side strain and the resultant rehabilitation process. However, Kirsten did not commit to whether Irfan will figure in the playing eleven and struck to the platitude of “we will pick the team tomorrow.”

Tough conditions

The coach also spoke about the rigours of playing back-to-back matches. “We have played three games in four days and it is tough in these sweltering conditions of 35 degrees temperature. Understandably the fielding was a bit flat in the last match but it is not a concern and we have worked on it in our practice sessions.

“The bowlers too found it tough on these flat decks but we must understand these conditions,” Kirsten said.

Kirsten also gave a big thumbs up to both Suresh Raina, who is in form and to Rohit Sharma, who is yet to fire in this tournament. “They are talented and they are future stars,” Kirsten said.

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