Tanvir hopes to gain from Australian experience

Sohail Tanvir, the left-arm fast bowler, hopes his short stint with South Australia will help him during Pakistan's tour of Australia later this year.

Tanvir played four Twenty20 games during his two weeks with the team. "For experience sake, the tour turned out to be a real success," he told the News. "My prime aim was to get first-hand knowledge about Australian wickets.

"Financially, playing with the South Australia team was not a big success. Unlike the Indian Premier League (IPL), it offers a much lesser amount. It is the playing experience that really matters and I have learnt a lot during my stay in Australia." In the Twenty20 Big Bash, he took only two wickets in 14 overs but had an impressive economy-rate of 6.50.

Tanvir said he was looking forward to playing again next season. "A couple of more state teams approached me during the competition and the SA state expressed their desire to hire my services again for the next season."

Tanvir, who made his debut during the World Twenty20 in September 2007, shot into the limelight with his performances in the IPL, where he was declared the best bowler. He said playing domestic tournaments in other countries had helped him stay in rhythm. "We don't have enough international cricket these days and playing in company of quality players would definitely help us stay in tune."

He was in favour of having pitches that help fast bowlers during Sri Lanka's visit, with the tourists' main threat being the spin pairing of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. "Pakistan have got good quality pacers and in comparison Sri Lanka fortunes rest on two spinners," he said.