Pakistan players regret not getting to play in IPL

'As a professional cricketer, there is regret that myself and other Pakistani players can't appear in the IPL. It is realistically the top T20 league in the world,' says Sohail Tanvir.

Discarded Pakistan left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir says he regrets not getting the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League after its opening season.

"Yes, as a professional cricketer, there is regret that myself and other Pakistani players can't appear in the IPL. It is realistically the top T20 league in the world, and which player would not like to play in it," Tanvir said.

The 35-year old was the best bowler in the inaugural IPL, leading Rajasthan Royals to a title triumph, but since then no Pakistani player has featured in the IPL due to strained political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Tanvir said he learnt a lot as a youngster playing in the first IPL with Shane Warne as his captain.

"I learnt a lot, not only on the field but after sharing the dressing room with some very senior players. Warne was a great motivator and shrewd captain and used me beautifully in that IPL," Tanvir told Gports on the GTV News channel.

Tanvir, who last played for Pakistan in April, 2017 in the West Indies in a T20 International, is a regular in T20 leagues around the world and considered a specialist bowler.

 "In the last one year I have intentionally cut down on my T20 league appearances because I now want to play more for Pakistan and that is why I have concentrated on playing in domestic cricket in all formats," he said.

"I have not given up hope of getting a recall to the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup and World T20 this year. Then we also have another World T20 next year in India.

"The fact that the selectors have recalled Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik for the series against Bangladesh has given me lot of hope. It means seniors are still in contention."

Tanvir said he was a bit disappointed at being ignored by the selectors after topping the National T20 championship bowling chart a few months back.

"But it is part and parcel of any professional cricketer's life. I will now give my best in the coming Pakistan Super League. It is good that the chief selector has said that performances in the PSL will be taken into consideration for the coming series."