Irfan Pathan Takes Dig At Critics Of IPL After Jonny Bairstow Smashes Hundred Against West Indies In 1st Test

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took a shot at the critics of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after England batter, Jonny Bairstow, smashed another century in the first Test against the West Indies.

Many former English cricketers and analysts blamed the IPL for the poor performance of England’s Test team. Joe Root and co. are trailing 1-2 at home against the Indians and they also got drubbed 0-4 in the Ashes by a far superior Australian team.

In the first Test against the West Indies, England was once again reeling at 57/4 at Lunch. Bairstow teamed up with Ben Stokes and then with Ben Foakes to revive the innings. In the process, he ended up scoring a century, further reviving his Test career.

Following the hundred, Pathan took to Twitter where he wrote: “Jonny Bairstow plays IPL?” His tweet is in response to the critics as Bairstow was bought by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022 mega auction and he has also consistently played in the league.

Jonny Bairstow plays IPL?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 9, 2022

“You are going to have to stop the players from going to the IPL” – Mickey Arthur

Former Sri Lanka head coach and Derbyshire’s Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, defended the quality of county cricket and instead pointed fingers at the IPL. He said that the England board will have to ensure that their players stay and play county cricket instead of the IPL.

“England haven’t scored enough runs. It’s as simple as that. If you want to lay the blame, you can lay it right there. County cricket isn’t to blame. For so long county cricket has been a really good producer of international players.”

“I don’t think there’s a problem with the system If you want the strength early season, unfortunately, you are going to have to stop the players from going to the IPL,” Arthur had said to The Times.

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