Pakistan’s left-handed promising batsman Haris Sohail, who was inducted into Pakistan’s 15-member squad for 2017 ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday, is confident to give his best against arch-rival India in their tournament opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 4.
India-Pakistan match is seen as a ‘Mini-Final’ which had already seen the tickets being sold-out for the high-octane clash.
The reporters during the gathering asked Sohail, who is expected to join Pakistan team prior to the warm-up match against Bangladesh on May 27 (Saturday), to throw some light on his selection while adding what will be his plan if he happens to break into the playing XI, particularly against India.
“Every player wishes to perform well against India. If I get a chance to play against India, I will surely try my best to put up a good performance against them,” Sohail was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.
The Sialkot-born batsman Sohail has expressed his satisfaction after being named in the squad while stating he would try his best to prove his selection right in the upcoming tournament.
“I will try my best to play my role in the team’s success,” Sohail said.
The other two players in the consideration were Umar Amin and Asif Zakir, who further had a brilliant record to their names in the domestic cricket.
The 28-year-old Sohail replaced unfit Umar Akmal after the controversial batsman was asked to return home after failing the test prior to the conditioning camp in Birmingham.
“I am really happy to be back in the national team,” Sohail remarked.
The reports also suggested that the trainer at the Lahore’s National Cricket Academy has termed Sohail’s fitness best than right-handed batsman Zakir and Amin.
“I have worked to rectify my weaknesses. And now I am hopeful that I will put in better performances,” Sohail revealed.
Haris, who suffered a knee injury before coming to near ending career when surgery failed in Dubai after playing his last ODI in May 2015 when Zimbabwe visited Pakistan which is further seen as a landmark visit after 2009 when Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen when the visitors were on their way to the Lahore Stadium.
In 22 ODIs for Pakistan, Sohail has scored 774 runs at the healthy average of 43, he has also claimed nine wickets. The middle-order batsman has also featured in four Twenty20 Internationals.
Moreover, having the average of 52 in 57 first-class matches, Sohail averages 40.83 in 53 List A games in which he has smashed solitary hundred and 15 half-centuries.
Haris Sohail reacts over his selection for the mega event in England and Wales:
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