Pakistan’s 3-0 mauling at the hands of the world’s number one Test team South Africa, does not make for easy reading. The manner of Pakistan’s defeat has left many a mental scar on the psyche of Pakistani players and it’s supporters. However a Pakistani cricketer who is enjoying individual success in South Africa is Sohail Tanvir who is proving to be an integral part of the as yet unbeaten Highveld Lions squad in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.
Tanvir has played 28 T20Is, taking 23 wickets at an average of 29. In his last outing in national colours against Pakistan’s arch rival India, Tanvir’s figures read a dismal 4 overs for 44 runs. He was subsequently not considered for the Pakistani team’s tour to South Africa but has been participating in the ongoing Ram Slam T20 tournament. The Lions have maintained a 100% record after four games and remain one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Tanvir’s Pakistani colleague’s struggles with the bat against South Africa in the recently-concluded Test series have largely been attributed to the exceptionally quick and bouncy local pitches but Tanvir believes that the pitches have eased since the early season “Actually we’re currently nearing the end of the South African season so the pitches are a bit dry, so batting has become easier. Earlier on in the season, as we know, it’s quite difficult for the batsmen.”
Tanvir’s visit to India with the Pakistani team at the end of 2012 could at best be classed as below par however, his recent form for the Lions in the Ram Slam has been excellent and he has picked up 6 wickets from his four matches at an average of 16.33. He is understandably disappointed at not being part of the Pakistan squad in South Africa and added “It’s always disappointing to be dropped, especially as I felt I had the experience on the South African wickets and in these conditions so yes it is disappointing, however I am currently playing cricket, I will continue to perform. I’m performing well at the moment and am the second highest wicket taker here, so I will keep working hard and performing in order to make a comeback. It’s hard knowing that the team is playing here in South Africa yet I’m not part of it. That’s difficult for any player, but it’s part and parcel of the game. You have to look forward rather than back.”
Despite his omission from the limited overs squad for the South African tour, Tanvir has his sights set for participation in the Champions Trophy and believes his experience of conditions in South Africa will stand him in good stead “The conditions in England are similar to those here in South Africa, they support seam and swing bowlers like myself. I will get the same amount of support there so I’m very hopeful of making a comeback in the Champions Trophy. These decisions are made by the team management and the selectors, my job is to keep working on my form and fitness and continue to perform. Let’s see what decision they take.”
Despite Pakistan’s dismal showing in the Test series, Tanvir has high hopes for his former team mates as they prepare to take on the host nation in a 2 match T20 series which begins on 1st of March “I’ve taken part in net sessions with the Pakistan team here in South Africa and I feel that Pakistan’s ODI and T20 team is quite strong, and I expect them to play competitive cricket in the limited overs series. I don’t expect to see one-sided games and whichever team wins will have to work very hard to defeat the opponent.”
Tanvir also had some words of encouragement for Pakistan’s rookie fast bowlers as he felt that they need all the support in the initial stages of their careers but he also singled out Junaid Khan as one who could have made a difference had his fitness not been an issue “They’re all new and in the learning process. I think it cost Pakistan a lot when Junaid Khan became unfit as he was the perfect bowler for those conditions. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways, and here you need a swing bowler more than a pace bowler. Had Junaid been fit, perhaps the result of the 2nd Test would have been different as he could have supported Saeed Ajmal from one end. I don’t think we should criticise anyone so quickly, international cricket is not easy, especially when you are playing against the world’s number one team. We have to give the young bowlers time, let them settle into the international arena.”
