Pakistan’s experienced opening batsman, Imran Farhat has made himself available to bat anywhere in the batting order in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2013, which is scheduled to be played next month inEngland.
Three openers, Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed are a part of the national squad for the mega event and according to many cricket analysts, the Green Shirts will play all three of them in English conditions, where the ball tends to move off the pitch as well as in the air.
Before the Champions Trophy, Misbah-ul-Haq and company are going to play two One Day Internationals (ODI) against Scotland and Ireland respectively, which should allow the team management to experiment with the playing combination.
The left-handed opener, while speaking to media, expressed that he will bat as per the requirements of the team management. Taking into account the successful opening partnership of Hafeez and Jamshed in recent past, Farhat is most likely to bat at number three.
He said, “I will bat according to what the team plan is. I have played enough cricket to be able to bat at any position. It’s up to team management – I will bat as required whether it’s as an opener or at No 3.”
The cricketer from Lahore made his international debut in 2001 and was considered to be a highly talented player. However, the 30-year-old batsman has so far failed to cement his place in the national team.
Having been dropped from the Pakistan team many times in past, Farhat claims that he never loses heart and the key behind his several comebacks has been the effort made in the domestic cricket.
“My view is that whenever I get the chance to play, I do my best. I don’t worry about why I haven’t been included in the team in the past,” Farhat added. “I always try to do my best whenever I get a chance to serve Pakistan. This is why I am able to make comebacks.”
Pakistan’s chances in the Champions Trophy will heavily depend on the performances of their openers because handling the new ball well is crucial under bowling-friendly conditions.
