Irfan avoids playing in match against Gujarat

Left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan avoided playing in Baroda-Gujarat match in the inter-state West Zone one-day tournament in Vadodara on Sunday, as he is yet to recover fully from an hamstring injury he suffered in the last game against Mumbai.

During his comeback match against Mumbai on Thursday, he pulled a hamstring, playing for Baroda, and had to quit the field. He had sent down only 17 deliveries before he started feeling a pain in his left knee.

Pathan, who was making a comeback after a gap of 11 months, was taken to a hospital and MRI screening was carried out.

The sources in the Baroda Cricket Association told PTI that it was a minor hamstring injury and he would be fit to play in the match against Gujarat, which was scheduled after two days.

However, when Baroda team came out to play, Irfan was not in the final eleven, which raised several doubts over his fitness.

But coach of Baroda team Mukesh Nurulla seemed very optimistic about him regaining full fitness soon and play for Baroda.

Pathan has been bought by the Delhi Daredevils team to play in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), staring on April 8.

Pathan did not play in the last Ranji season and other tournaments because of injuries.