Thaindian News

London, July 28(ANI): Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat became the second bowler to take 100 Twenty20 wickets when he picked up four wickets playing for Sussex against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The other bowler to hit the century mark in the Twenty20 format is Australia’s Dirk Nannes.

Despite the feat, Arafat had mixed emotions as the Friends Provident Twenty20 championship champions, Sussex, were knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinals.

“It was great to reach the 100-wicket mark, and I’m very proud to be the first Pakistani cricketer to reach that milestone. However like my Sussex teammates, I was very disappointed to lose out at Trent Bridge,” PakPassion.net quoted Arafat, as saying.

“I thought at the halfway stage that we could have chased down Nottinghamshire’s score of 141, but sadly we fell 13 runs short,” he added.

The 28-year-old, who has not represented Pakistan in a competitive fixture since May 2009, further said that he is looking forward to a comeback into the national squad.

“I’ve been unlucky with injuries missing out on both Twenty20 World Cup competitions, and I am really keen on a return to playing for my country. There is simply no better feeling than performing well for your country and helping them to victories,” Arafat said.

“I met up with the Pakistan squad at Nottingham as we were staying at the same hotel and it was great to share a few jokes and talk to the boys on the back of their excellent victory over Australia,” he added.

Pakistan have decided against calling up any additions to the squad for the first test against England that commences on Thursday, but Arafat will definitely be in the reckoning for the two Twenty20 matches and five ODIs starting in September. (ANI)