Mohammad Irfan joins Barbados Tridents squad as Junaid Khan's replacement

Mohammad Irfan is set to make a maiden appearance in the Caribbean Premier League, with the Barbados Tridents snapping up the tall left-arm fast bowler. In what is as close a like-for-like replacement as the Tridents could have wished for, he replaces his fellow Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan, whose wife is expecting their first child.

Irfan, 36, hasn't played for Pakistan in nearly two years, but has been a regular on the franchise T20 circuit. He just finished a Global T20 Canada stint earlier this month, taking six wickets in as many games for the Edmonton Royals at an economy rate of 7.17. In the Pakistan Super League this year, he took 12 wickets for the Karachi Kings, putting him in the top ten on the wickets leader board. However, he did go at 9.61 runs per over, making him more expensive than any other bowler with five or more wickets in the entire competition.

"It is a disappointment not to have Junaid available but the experience of another left-arm quick like Mohammed Irfan will be an asset to our campaign," Tridents head coach Robin Singh said. "He is no stranger to international cricket and this know-how, coupled with his unique ability with the ball, means he will be a key part of the Tridents attack and a handful for opposing batsmen."

The Barbados Tridents, who are led by the West Indies captain Jason Holder, begin their campaign against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on August 12. The CPL kicks off on August 8, with the final on September 16.