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I will be fully match-fit before World Cup, says Irfan Pathan

The Baroda left-arm pacer was sent back home midway through the recent tour of South Africa with an advice to sort out his bowling problems.

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NEW DELHI: Irfan Pathan on Wednesday stoutly defended himself against criticism, saying he remained positive about a successful performance in the World Cup despite question marks over his form and fitness.

“I have been answering these queries about the loss of in-swing and drop in pace for a long time now. I am focusing on maintaining a tight line and length in my bowling before looking for swing or pace,” 22-year old Pathan said.

“In-swing or out-swing, it all depends on various factors like weather conditions and the pitch. I am trying to remain positive and concentrate on picking up wickets for the team.”

The Baroda left-arm pacer was sent back home midway through the recent tour of South Africa with the advice to sort out his bowling problems. He was brought back for the last one-dayer against the West Indies.

But soreness in the bowling shoulder prevented him from playing in the four matches against Sri Lanka, leading to a fiat from the BCCI that he should prove his fitness by playing in a Deodhar Trophy one-dayer before boarding the flight to the Caribbean.

“I will be fully match-fit before the World Cup as we have four practice matches before the event gets underway,” the youngster put up a brave front.

Pathan said he might have been robbed off vital match practice by the niggle but took confidence from his creditable show in the Ranji Trophy for Baroda during the brief lay-off from the Indian team.

“There is no substitute for match practice. We can bowl any number of balls in the nets but there is not substitute for bowling in a match situation,” he said.

Some have said that Pathan’s has been a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth but the bowler himself denied it.

“Cricket is a game where we cannot stop learning. I will keep on consulting everyone and listen to everybody’s suggestion. But it is going to be up to me to decide what best suits my bowling,” he said.

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