Imran says yes to Irfan’s appeal for some time

The response was immediate: ‘‘I have no problems, I can do that.’’ The meeting was set up for Tuesday.

However, Imran’s protege — and Irfan’s other hero — Wasim Akram came under heavy flak in Pakistan when he was seen helping the Indian bowlers on their tour of Australia.

Imran, when told this, said: ‘‘No one can doubt my integrity or credibility. Therefore I would never be called a traitor.’’

When asked why Irfan hadn’t requested Imran personally, Mathur told The Indian Express: ‘‘Like many others, Irfan has grown up looking at Imran and is in awe him.’’

This would be the second occasion Irfan would have a chance to talk to one of his heroes. On his debut Australian tour Irfan spent a lot of time talking to Wasim, who was present at the time as a television commentator, and learnt the nuances of left-arm bowling from the master himself.

Imran, one of the greats of fast bowling, was equally noted for his nurturing of Wasim and Waqar Younis. Wasim’s example is more apt because, like Irfan, he is left-handed.

Indeed, he started out as a raw 19-year-old and was moulded in his early years by Imran. Whether it was asking Akram to try using a short run-up or teaching him to bowl yorkers after he was once hit by a tailenders, Imran’s advice was rarely off the mark.