Pakistan’s recalled fast-bowler Sohail Khan has vowed to grasp any opportunity that comes his way from now on and use the tour of Zimbabwe to cement his place in the national squad.
Khan last played for the national team in February 2009 when he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka, a year after making his One-Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe.
He announced himself to first-class cricket with a bang, shattering Fazal Mahmood’s record for best figures in a match, and while injuries and a change in attitude forced an indifferent progress from there on, Khan is hopeful his performance will only improve in Zimbabwe.
“I think my debut came a little early and I failed to impress on the chances that I got,” Khan was reported to have said.
“It was a good lesson for me though and I learnt a lot about the game, my fitness, my ability as a fast-bowler helped me gain overall control of my bowling,” he added.
Khan failed to make a permanent place in the playing XI, his four ODIs spread over 12 months and his only Test outing failing to bring him any success.
“No one likes to be dropped from the side and there are only two outcomes: you either succumb to the degradation or vow to improve and make a comeback. In the last two years, I’ve learnt how to build myself. I used to train more than required and that affected my fitness levels. And for that, I have high regard for Aqib Javed who helped me attain that. Making a comeback is always a challenge and I did everything required to make it happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema, who was dropped from the squad for the West Indies as he failed to satisfy selectors over his fitness, has also been included for the Zimbabwe tour.
Cheema, 31, after clearing fitness tests, earned the call-up through another strong first-class season in which he took 57 wickets in eight Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches.
“This is a valued opportunity for me,” said Cheema. “I’m desperate to perform given I have ample domestic-level experience and enjoying optimum fitness. My aim is maintaining accuracy while bowling fast.
“I’m 31 and mature enough to understand the responsibility that comes with representing Pakistan. The opportunity to play for the country is something which does not come easy and I know how much hard work is required to get to that point,” he said.
Apart from Khan and Cheema, Pakistan selectors handed a recall to left-armer Sohail Tanvir while retaining Junaid Khan in the squad while resting strike-bowlers Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz for the tour that comprises one Test, three ODIs and two Twenty20s.
