Miffed Tanvir makes a point

On Monday, Sohail Tanvir became the first Pakistani cricketer to play for an Indian Premier League team (the Rajasthan Royals) after their IPL II contracts were suspended following the 26/11 Mumbai attack, reports Venkat Ananth.

On Monday, Sohail Tanvir became the first Pakistani cricketer to play for an Indian Premier League team (the Rajasthan Royals) after their IPL II contracts were suspended following the 26/11 Mumbai attack.

HT Image

“Though we were in Dubai (playing against Australia), we followed our respective IPL teams,” Tanvir told HT, hastening to add, “The IPL changed my life, and I was lucky to be a part of the winning side.”

The WT20 title, according to Tanvir, came at the right time. “We can’t do anything about the situation back home.

Hopefully, now the Indian crowds will be keen to see us play,” he said.

On Pakistan’s successful T20 campaign, he said: “We took some time to adjust to the English weather, but we always believed in our abilities.”

During every team meeting a reminder was served on the situation back home, and how winning was the only hope. An injured Tanvir though didn’t have a great outing as he struggled for form.

Not being picked for the Sri Lanka tour hurt Tanvir, but he was determined to make a point in the Royals’ charity match against Middlesex at Lord’s on Monday.

“I did not take it as a charity match. I wanted the selectors to know that I am fit, “ he said after his crucial role (three for 20) in the Royals’46—run victory.