Left arm fast pitcher Sohail Tanvir may have slipped down the pecking order, but his exploits in T20 cricket continue to make him a tough pitcher to get away with. Tanvir, who made his debut for Pakistan in 2007, last played for the national team in 2017, a T20I against the West Indies, but during his career he has pitched some of the best batsmen in world cricket.
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Tanvir has faced players like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara and more, but found none of them were as difficult to pitch as Villiers’ AB.
“I found bowling with AB de Villiers to be the most difficult player to play against. He was Mr. 360 and he hit you all over the place. You couldn’t strategize against him because he could play anywhere you played. If I have to pick one, AB was a hitter to think about more while bowling. ”Tanvir told Cricket Pakistan.
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Tanvir revealed that he has faced one of the best batsmen in the cricket world right now, Indian team captain Virat Kohli. However, when it comes to red ball cricket, the quick left arm considers Babar Azam, the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team, to be a wonderful player.
“When it comes to red ball cricket or the power game, I’d say it’s very difficult to throw Babar Azam. I’ve played some bowling against Virat Kohli in his early days, ”he said.
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Having last played for Pakistan in 2017, Tanvir hopes to have one last chance with the national team. At 35, that may be easier said than done for Tanvir, but the left-arm fast pitcher is aiming for next year’s T20 World Cup in India, before he decides to retire from international cricket.
“My personal goal was the next World Cups. I am still hopeful and there is still time. A lot of cricket is coming. I have been playing around the world in terms of T20. I am number five in the world and number one in Pakistan. [in terms of wickets]. As for the age factor, we have players like Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be there. I’m just pointing out that I’m in the same age group. I’m a huge fan of merit-based cricket, ”noted Tanvir.
“I want to finish my career on a high note playing for Pakistan. I want to announce my retirement while playing for Pakistan and not be outside looking in. “