Sharjeel Khan eyes spot in Pakistan ODI team

Sport360 staff 09:19 13/04/2016
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  • Sharjeel in action during the World T20.

    Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan believes he can be a vital part of the ODI side after his T20I breakthrough.

    The 26-year-old particularly impressed at the World T20 with his blitzes against New Zealand and Australia and believes the upcoming Pentangular Cup provides him the perfect opportunity to gravitate to the next level.

    Sharjeel scored 112 runs from four innings in India, a tournament that he thinkshas helped him regain some lost confidence.

    “I’ve got the confidence back but it was difficult when I was making my comeback,” Sharjeel told The Express Tribune. “However, as I played more I became extremely comfortable and now I intend to get into the one-day side as well.

    “I could have done better in the World T20 but that is in the past now and my focus is on improving my batting, bowling and fielding.

    “We’ve got the Pentangular Cup coming up and that is a really good platform for me to make my case for a comeback in the 50-over format.”

    The Hyderabad-born batsman owes his comeback to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he helped Islamabad United to the inaugural title and earned a recall to the national side on the back of scoring the competition’s first century.

    “The PSL has been an amazing experience for me and for everyone who participated in it. I’m sure PSL will go a long way in helping youngsters like me do well,” he said. “I got to learn from the likes of Wasim Akram, Dean Jones, Shane Watson, Tauseef Ahmad and other renowned stars. This sort of experience enables you to think big and become a world-class player.”

    Sharjeel has played 11 T20Is for Pakistan and featured in 11 ODIs for the Men in Green before being axed in 2014.

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