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Pacer Sohail Khan still yearning for a comeback with Pakistan

Waseem Ahmed

12:46 09/09/2018

Sohail Khan has not featured for Pakistan for almost two years now but the pacer is not willing to give up on his international career just yet.

The 34-year-old’s last outing in Pakistan colours came in a Test against Australia in December, 2016 and he has not been considered for selection ever since. While Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur cited fitness issues as the reason for Sohail’s non selection, it was reported that the pacer had been dropped due to an argument with bowling coach Azhar Mahmood.

The argument reportedly took place while Sohail was playing for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for whom Arthur and Mahmood were on coaching duties.

With Pakistan possessing a formidable pace attack comprising the likes of Mohammed Amir, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas, the chances of Sohail working his way back into the side look bleak but he is not willing to throw in the towel just yet.

“I don’t consider age an issue at all for me regarding international cricket. For me, it’s simply a case of being able to play on as long as my body will allow and to serve Pakistan to my fullest abilities,” Sohail told PakPassion.net.

Sohail’s most memorable performance came against India in 2015.

“I am excluded from the Pakistan team not due to any deficiency on my part, but strangely enough I am not included in the side despite having performed well. I have a Test batting average of over 25 and have taken crucial wickets in Tests and performed well in the World Cup. Yet I haven’t been picked for the national side since 2016,” he added.

The right-armed pacer has featured in nine Tests, 13 ODIs and five T20s for Pakistan so far with his best performance (5-55) coming in the 2015 World Cup clash against India at Adelaide. Sohail had picked up the wicket of India skipper Virat Kohli too then and he counts it among the best moments of his career.

“There are a few memorable moments that I cannot forget as they brought me so much joy. The first was the time when I took five wickets against India in the 2015 World Cup game in Adelaide,” he said.

“This was special because I had challenged myself and others to accomplish this task and I was able to do it and picked up the prize wicket of Virat Kohli as well.”

 

 

 

 

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