I expect to get match-fit within a week: Irfan Pathan

 

 New Delhi: Injured seamer Irfan Pathan, who was left out of the Indian squad for the tour of West Indies due to hamstring injury, is expecting to get match-fit in another week's time.
"My injury wasn't a major one. I have already started running and will start bowling at the nets in another couple of days time. I should be fit within another week's time," Irfan told PTI Monday.
The 28-year-old Pathan was a part of India's victorious Champions Trophy campaign but he was not in the playing XI in the five matches in UK. Pathan only played in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka in Birmingham bowling five wicket-less overs for 45 runs.

Irfan Pathan, who was left out of the Indian squad for the tour of West Indies due to hamstring injury, is expecting to get match-fit in another week's time.

For the Baroda all-rounder, the priority is to undergo a structured rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore in order to avoid injuries. "I have a training programme chalked out and I will be strictly adhering to that. We have a long season ahead. And I want to be fully fit by the time the season starts," Irfan, who has played 29 Tests and 120 ODIs for India, said.
The left-arm seamer in fact had a lucrative offer from one of the English county sides but he has refused it as he wants to focus more on his rehabilitation programme. "I had a good offer from one of the English county sides for playing both Pro-40 as well as four day matches for them.
But for me, it is more important that I am fully fit to regain my berth in the Indian team. That's the reason I declined their offer as I didn't want my training schedule to be tinkered with," he added.