by Saj Sadiq - Pakpassion.net (21st June 2013)
Pakistan’s horrendous performance at the Champions Trophy wasn’t just a
huge disappointment for their fans, but also for some of the players
who narrowly missed out on selection for the tournament. 28 year old
seam bowler Sohail Tanvir was one of the players who was overlooked by
the selectors for the tournament in England and Wales and speaking
exclusively with PakPassion.net, Tanvir explained why he thought the
Pakistani batsmen struggled for form at the Champions Trophy.
“It was very disappointing to see colleagues and team mates struggle
during the Champions Trophy. I think we all had high expectations of the
team going into the tournament particularly given Pakistan’s record in
previous ICC tournaments and if the batsmen had provided the bowlers
with some decent scores to defend around the 220 run mark, I’m sure the
bowlers would have managed to defend those totals. Scores of 170 or so
against the best teams in the world aren’t enough and it’s very rarely
that you can defend such totals.”
“I think confidence amongst the Pakistani batsmen was low right at the
start of the tour. Against Ireland, Pakistan struggled and only narrowly
managed to win the two match series. The batsmen looked short of
confidence in Ireland and I’m afraid that continued during the Champions
Trophy. A rousing victory in Ireland would certainly have helped the
Pakistani batsmen prepare for the Champions Trophy but that never
materialised. The warm up match against South Africa was the highlight
of the tour but unfortunately it proved to be a false dawn.”
Tanvir added “The batsmen should have taken a leaf out of
Misbah-Ul-Haq’s book. He (Misbah) batted with responsibility and looked
very solid in all conditions and against all of the bowling attacks
Pakistan came up against. Unfortunately though the support, from some of
the other batsmen was minimal and whilst confidence was low, there also
seemed to be a number of the Pakistani batsmen struggling for form.”
Regarding his own international future Tanvir who last played for
Pakistan in December last year in a Twenty20 international against India
stated “Playing for Pakistan has always been my priority. Despite
playing domestic cricket around the world for various teams, my aim has
always been to play regularly for my country. I wasn’t selected for the
Champions Trophy and that is a decision that the selectors made and one
that I respect. Yes I was disappointed to miss out on selection for the
Champions Trophy, but that is part and parcel of professional cricket.
You have ups, you have downs and sometimes you have to take setbacks on
the chin and get on with it and look ahead. “
“I’m here at Hampshire this season so that I can perform well for them
and help the team achieve success and remind the Pakistani selectors
that I am still around and knocking on the door of selection. I’ve made a
good start and I’m looking forward to playing for Hampshire this
season. I can only do my best, perform to the best of my ability and
then it’s over to the selection committee to make the choices that they
feel are in the best interests of Pakistan cricket.”
Tanvir has signed for Hampshire for all three formats this season and
he feels that his stint at Hampshire could prove to be pivotal in his
career as he looks to cement a place in Pakistan’s limited over teams.
“I’m honoured to be playing county cricket for Hampshire. Some of the
Pakistani greats over the years like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar
Younis have played county cricket and improved as cricketers after their
stints in county cricket. It’s not about coming over to England and
just earning money, rather it’s more about the opportunity to learn and
develop my cricketing skills. I spoke with Wasim Akram about the chance
to play for Hampshire and he said grab it with both hands as it’s a
fantastic opportunity. Wasim stated to me that you will definitely come
back to Pakistan a better cricketer after a spell in county cricket. I
feel that this spell at Hampshire is really crucial in my development as
a cricketer and I want to ensure that I make the best of this
opportunity.”
Sohail Tanvir was one of a number of pace bowlers that worked under the
supervision of Wasim Akram at a bowling camp in Pakistan ahead of the
Champions Trophy and commenting on his time working with the fast
bowling legend, Tanvir stated that Akram’s advice for him was focused
more on the mental side of the game and boosting his self belief and
confidence.
“Wasim said to me that I have a lot of ability and that I am good
enough to play international cricket. However what I needed to improve
was my self-belief, confidence and my morale which had been affected
after being in and out of the Pakistan side. Wasim was very positive
about my future and he really helped me focus on the future and to
regain my confidence. When one of the best bowlers of all time speaks
highly of you, that is definitely going to help you and make you believe
in yourself. I’m over here in England with my morale high and playing
competitive cricket and looking forward to reclaiming a spot in the
Pakistan side once again.”
Tanvir’s made an impressive start for Hampshire as he picked up 2 for
95 and scored 37 in a four day game against Gloucestershire and then on
his Yorkshire Bank 40 over debut, he took 3 for 42 as Hampshire defeated
Derbyshire by 46 runs.
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