Umar Akmal’s replacement Haris Sohail ready to fire against India

Left-handed batsman says he is happy to be back in national team

Pakistan left-handed batsman Haris Sohail was on Tuesday added in the 2017 Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for middle-order batsman Umar Akmal and the 28-year-old said he is ready to give his all for the team during the eight-team tournament in England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday called Haris, left-handed batsman Umar Amin and right-handed batsman Asif Zakir at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Lahore to participate in the fitness test. Haris was adjudged the best among the trio “based on the reports submitted by the trainer”.

“I am really happy to be back in the national team,” said Haris, who last played an ODI for Pakistan in May 2015 during Zimbabwe’s landmark tour to Pakistan, after which he suffered a knee injury which required surgery. “I will try my best to play my role in the team’s success.”

While Pakistan-India June 4 clash at Edgbaston is the talk of town, reporters asked Haris about his plans if he made it into the final eleven against the Asian arch-rivals.

“Every player wishes to perform well against India,” said Haris. “If I get a chance to play against India, I will surely try my best to put up a good performance against them.”

A lot has changed after Haris last played for Pakistan. A new captain Sarfraz Ahmed leads the team and Haris is also two years older, so what has he changed during the time off from the national team. “I have worked to rectify my weaknesses,” said Haris. “And now I am hopeful that I will put in better performances.”

Haris has represented Pakistan in 22 ODIs, scoring 774 runs at an average of 43 with a strike rate of 82.86. In the same number of ODIs, he has bagged four wickets with his left-arm spin.

Middle-order Batsman Haris Sohail​ is delighted on his return to the national team for #CT17. We wish him the very best. pic.twitter.com/8mdUwSMUD0

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 23, 2017