Profile of Sohail Khan

Sohail Khan

  

Sohail Khan

Sohail Khan

Sohail Khan

Profile of Sohail Khan

Sohail Khan emerged from the depths of obscurity in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) to be one of the fast bowling stars in the Pakistan domestic circuit. Sohail attributes his pace to the strength that he built up by throwing stones and swimming in rivers on the mountainous terrains of the NWFP. 

Following an advice from a relative, Sohail Khan moved to Karachi and he entered into a speed talent hunt organized by former Pakistan pace ace, Sikandar Bakht. He bowled at 85 mph, which was recorded as the third fastest in the country. While playing for a private club, he was spotted by Rashid Latif and he took him into his cricket academy. 

Rashid Latif kept him confined to the nets for close to a year and made him bowl all day. He also urged Sohail to work on his fitness on a consistent basis. After putting in all the hard work, he was selected to play for Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) in 2007-08. He had a fantastic start in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, picking up 10 wickets in his debut match against Pakistan Customs. His crowning moment came against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Karachi where he rewrote the record books. 

He snapped up 16/189 in the match, breaking Fazal Mahmood's 51 year old record for the best match haul by a Pakistani bowler in domestic cricket, which was 15/76 for Punjab against Pakistan Combined Services in 1955/56. He picked up 7/80 in the first innings and 9/109 in the second innings as the match ended in a draw. 

He ended up being the highest wicket-taker in the competition that year, with 65 wickets at an average of 18.43, including eight five wicket hauls and two ten wicket hauls. He also played for Sind in the RBS Pentangular Cup in the same season, picking up 23 wickets in four matches, including two consecutive five wicket hauls. 

His consistent performances earned him a spot in the 16 man squad for the tri-series played in Bangladesh also featuring India in June 2008 . He was chosen as a replacement for Mohammad Asif but did not feature in any match. He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2009 but proved ineffective. His struggles continued even on the recent Zimbabwe tour in September 2011. Sohail is yet to play for Pakistan since the Zimbabwe tour, he applies his trade for Port Qasim Authority in the domestic circuit. 

Sohail had a fabulous 2013-14 domestic season. In his last 6 first class matches, he managed to pick up 40 wickets, including five 5-wicket hauls. He also did well in List A games, scalping 10 wickets in 4 outings. These sort of performances gained him a place in the 15-man squad for the 2015 World Cup. 

Fun fact: Sohail Khan is also know as Sohail Pathan. He has a younger brother, Murad Khan, who also plays for Sui Southern Gas Corporation. 

Sourcce;cricbuzz