Rajasthan Royals title-winner Sohail Tanvir says he regrets not being able to play in the IPL since its inaugural season.
The former Pakistan pace bowler helped RR to the title in 2008. He finished as the league’s leading wicket-taker to earn the purple cap.
However, that was the last time he would feature in the tournament after a ban on Pakistan players by the BCCI.
No Pakistan player has featured in the league since that first year due to strained relations between the two rival nations.
It is the only time Rajasthan have won the IPL title. They will, however, be bidding for a second success under the guidance of captain Steve Smith in 2020.
They are considered 9.50 (17/2) with 10Cric to taste a long-awaited success this season.
Tanvir, now 35, says he regrets not being able to return to show what he can do in the IPL.
“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. Which player would not like to play in it,” he told Gports on the GTV News channel.
Tanvir not giving up hope of Pakistan recall
The Pakistan bowler believes he picked up a lot from his only IPL campaign, especially under the captaincy of Australian legend Shane Warne.
Tanvir still has hopes of earning a return to the national side.
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 still wasn’t recalled despite topping the national T20 bowling charts last year.
“It is part and parcel of any professional cricketer’s life,” he added.
“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.”
