Sharjeel had last played an ODI for Pakistan in August 2014 but his man-of-the-match performance on his comeback should help him get an extended run in the side. PHOTO: AFP
The Men in Green, currently ranked ninth in ODIs, are fighting to get themselves back into the top-eight sides of the world.
Several players impressed in the opening match for Pakistan — seen by many as mere warm-ups to the five one-dayers that follow against England — none more so than left-handed opener Sharjeel Khan, who smashed an exhilarating 152 off just 86 balls.
Sharjeel said that the experience of playing in the UK with Pakistan A helped him do well because he had had no exposure to these conditions before that.
“I was here with the Pakistan A side which helped me know what sort of conditions we will be facing in the UK, because I had never been here before that,” he said. “That experience came into play when I went out to bat against Ireland.”
The opener revealed he was eager to perform after being given another chance in the 50-over format. “Since it was my comeback match, I was really focused on my batting and did not bother much about the conditions,” he said. “I kept it simple, watched the ball till the end and played my shots accordingly.”
Imad Wasim — who was also making a comeback, albeit one from injury — picked up career-best figures of 5-14, while debutant Mohammad Nawaz also impressed with a half-century and a wicket to boot.
Imad, who recently won the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with Jamaica Tallahwas, stated that he is really happy at having been able to carry his CPL form to the national team.
“I’m feeling really good about my performances and will try to continue that going forward in the season,” said Imad. “I had a good outing in the CPL and to do the same for your country is always a special feeling. I got my best bowling figures so it has been a pretty satisfactory outing so far.”
Imad added that he has not had any problems adjusting to the conditions in the UK. “Conditions don’t affect me as such because I like to stick to the basics and let the batsmen commit mistakes,” he said. “It doesn’t affect me whether a pitch is damp or dry.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2016.
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