Junaid, Bhatti’s misery may be Tanvir’s chance to shine

The pacer is likely to be added to Pakistan’s World Cup bowling attack.

KARACHI: Junaid Khan’s failure to recover and Bilawal Bhatti’s inability to deliver in the pre-World Cup series against New Zealand has opened up gates for the discarded Sohail Tanvir to be inducted into Pakistan’s 15-man World Cup squad.

In the aftermath of the mauling by the Black Caps, The Express Tribune learnt that the team management has discussed including Sohail in order to provide much-needed depth in Pakistan’s bowling attack; however, they are yet to send an official request to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan’s bowling was downright exposed in the two-match one-day series as Bhatti, who was sent in as Junaid’s replacement, claimed a solitary scalp after giving away 51 runs in the first match while conceding 93 runs in 10 wicket-less overs in the second, the worst ever figures by a Pakistani bowler in ODIS.

The country’s bowling department has suffered three major blows in quick succession after suspensions of Muhammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal, while injury to Junaid has further worsened the situation.

There is a strong view among several selectors who believe Sohail is the best possible option available right now due to his ability to move the new ball and bowl well in the death overs.

“Right now, Sohail is the ideal candidate to replace Junaid instead of Bhatti,” said a selection committee member.

“We’re yet to receive an e-mail or message from the touring management regarding the replacement, but Sohail is definitely a strong candidate. Junaid was a good bowler both with the new ball and towards the end overs and Sohail meets those qualities. Anwar Ali was another contender but he is recovering from a knee injury.”

Meanwhile, another selector added that they had been left shocked by the team’s use of Ehsan Adil because he was sent as new-ball specialist whereas he has only been brought into the attack as a first-change bowler.

“It baffles me because Adil was sent to bowl with the new ball and everyone, especially head coach Waqar Younis, was convinced that he can do the job. But we’ve seen that he has been used as first change which makes no sense,” the selection committee member lamented.

Pakistan also have a genuine pacer and an outside contender in Muhammad Sami, who was not named in the 30 probables’ list, but the management can still draft him in place of any injured or suspended player among the 30-man list.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.