Thaindian News

Omar Khalid
Karachi, July 24 (IANS) Pakistan’s discarded all-rounder Sohail Tanvir will take the field for Surrey this season after signing a contract with the leading English county recently.

According to a senior official of Portfolio World - Tanvir’s agency - Surrey has opted to sign the Rawalpindi-born player after considering several other bowlers from Pakistan and India for a stint this year.

“We feel at this stage it will do Sohail Tanvir a world of good to play in the county circuit in England. Historically, it is proven that legends like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and many others all gained a lot playing in the county circuit,” said Salman Ahmed, Tanvir’s agent.

According to details, the deal between Tanvir and Surrey was inked after the left-armer took three key wickets while playing for Rajasthan Royals against Middlesex in a charity Twenty20 game June 6 at Lord’s.

“We could have signed Sohail with a few other counties, but the Brit Oval (Surrey’s home ground) is known to be a paradise for seam and fast bowlers. Sohail has been struggling with his form in recent days, and we feel this is a wonderful platform for him to focus on his shortcomings and return to form by playing regular cricket,” said Ahmed.

Surrey had shortlisted other bowlers from Pakistan and India, but Gus Mackay, chief executive of Surrey CCC, was of the view that Tanvir has an edge over others if he plays to his potential.

Tanvir was part of Pakistan’s ICC World Twenty20 squad but had to sit out of most of the event’s matches because of poor form. He was overlooked for the tour of Sri Lanka currently in progress.

Tanvir, who won the purple cap for taking the most wickets in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season last summer, has vowed to regain his place in the national team.

“I got a big confidence booster at Lord’s last month by taking three wickets for Rajasthan Royals and am looking forward to return to national duty soon,” said Tanvir.

Tanvir, 24, helped script Rajasthan Royals’ 46-run win over Middlesex Panthers in the one-off British Asian Cup Twenty20 match.

Tanvir said that he has recovered from a leg injury and will return to top form ahead of his Surrey stint.

“I was troubled by a leg injury in the past few months,” said Tanvir , who has taken 44 wickets from 31 One-day Internationals. “But I’ve recovered from it and hope to regain my form,” he said.