KARACHI: International batsman Sharjeel Khan is still optimistic of making the final 15-man Pakistan squad for the 2015 World Cup after his whirlwind century helped Pakistan A defeat Kenya by 155 runs in their second match of the series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The 25-year-old left-hander has represented Pakistan in 11 ODIs and three T20Is so far in his international career, which started off brightly but lost momentum as the batsman failed to perform consistently.
Though he is not a part of the current ODI team playing against New Zealand, he wants to make a strong statement against Kenya to keep reminding the selection committee of his presence.
And that is exactly what he did in the second match as his century powered Pakistan A, batting first, to 314-5 in 45 overs. Sharjeel hammered 138 off 120 deliveries while Babar Azam and skipper Fawad Alam also scored half-centuries.
“It’s my dream to play in a World Cup and I’ll try to keep scoring heavily against Kenya to try and nudge the selectors,” Sharjeel told The Express Tribune. “There are still three matches left in this series and I’m looking to make a couple more centuries which would do my chances of being selected as the third opener a world of good. I’m working hard to achieve my goal and make a comeback into the side.”
Such was his dominance that Sami Aslam could only contribute 19 in a 77-run opening stand. Pakistan then lost two wickets on consecutive deliveries as Lotino Oluoch first removed Aslam and then Fazal Subhan on the very next ball, but Sharjeel continued in the same fashion and built a 128-run stand with Alam, who made 52, to put Pakistan in strong position.
After Sharjeel was dismissed, Babar took on the responsibility of aggressor and made an unbeaten 64 of 34 balls, while Muhammad Rizwan finished unbeaten on 24.
“To play Kenya is a really good platform for the players in the 30-man initial squad because they have got a good chance to impress the selectors. Kenya are a relatively young team but they are still an international side so that counts,” added Sharjeel.
In reply, Kenya were bamboozled by leg-spinner Shahzaib Ahmed and were dismissed for just 159 in 41.3 overs.
Opener Alex Obanda took the attack to Pakistan A, scoring a 31-ball 36, but eventually fell to Muhammad Talha.
His dismissal took the wind out of Kenya’s sails and all other batsmen except Elijiah Otieno struggled against the Pakistan A bowling line-up. Otieno played a 39-run cameo, hitting one six and five boundaries in his innings, but it was to little avail.
The dynamic Shahzaib picked up three wickets, conceding just 20 runs in his nine overs, as the Kenyans struggled against his variations. Alam and Talha also claimed two scalps each.
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