Lahore: Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Khalil will join the
national cricket team as a replacement for injured Junaid Khan in
Bangladesh for the One-day series, kicking off with a Twenty20 next
week.
Junaid, who tore a stomach muscle during the fourth One-day
International, and allrounder Abdul Razzaq who sustained a shoulder
injury, were both ruled out of the tour to Bangladesh and returned home
from the UAE for rehabilitation and treatment. Though Khalil was called
to replace Junaid, the selectors have not announced any replacement for
Razzaq yet.
"Khalil
has been picked primarily because he is a left-arm pacer like Junaid
and he has been performing well in domestic cricket for Zarai Taraqyati
Bank (ZTBL)," a selector said. Interestingly, ZTBL until last month was
headed by Zaka Ashraf, who is now the Chairman of the PCB.
"In the
ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy division one championship, Khalil is a
leading wicket-taker with 45 dismissals, so he deserved a call up," the
selector insisted.
The 29-year-old Khalil, who last represented
Pakistan in March 2005 in a Test match at Kolkata where he bowled 23
wicketless overs for 103 runs, was written off as one of those players
who were fortunate to play for Pakistan. Stating that he has unfinished
business to take care of, Khalil said that he would be taking the tour
of Bangladesh seriously and would like to make an impact.
"I'm
just so excited at the recall. It's been a long six years since I last
played for Pakistan and I'm so pleased to be back in the international
reckoning. It was in my heart to play for my country again as I felt
that I have unfinished business to complete," he told the Pakpassion.net
website.
