Melbourne: Sohail Khan could have returned as Pakistan’s hero had his team’s batsmen successfully chased India’s target in their marquee World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
He bagged five wickets for 55 runs, which included all of India’s top four, led by Virat Kohli who cracked a century.
Speaking to Gulf News, Moen Khan, chief selector of the Pakistan team, said: “We picked him because we knew he can be very good on these wickets.
"He has got some good yorkers, effective slower ones, and can bowl at a very good length. He has performed brilliantly in our domestic cricket as well.”
Sohail, who belongs to the Pathan tribe, picked up 65 wickets in nine domestic matches this season, including eight five-wicket hauls.
“This performance against India will boost his confidence and I am sure he will do even better in the coming matches,” added Moen.
Sohail had broken the legendary pacer Fazal Mahmood’s long standing record of 15 for 76 when he bagged 16 for 189 in 2007 for Sui Southern Gas Corporation.
Like most cricket-loving youngsters in the sub-continent, he began bowling with a tennis ball. A well-built physique, having grown up swimming in the rivers and streams in the mountainous areas of his province, helped him hone his skills.
Sohail was spotted by former Pakistan wicketkeeper turned coach Rashid Latif. The 30-year-old has so far played only six one-dayers and two Test matches after making his international debut in 2008.
Latif’s tips to him at the Rashid Latif Academy transformed him into an effective pacer.
Sohail, like all Pathans, is always full of energy, and the Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq will have a tough time controlling him.
On Sunday, he had a skirmish with Kohli on the field. In the first delivery of the match he struck Shikhar Dhawan on the pads and asked his skipper to review it since he was very confident about it. Misbah had to calm him down. He also walked down the pitch a few times against opener Rohit Sharma and exchanged a few words with Dhawan.
“Sohail is very good during the death overs and he will be very useful in the coming matches. Everyone will hear more about him soon since he is improving fast,” said Moen.
