CL matter is for the boards to decide: Sohail Tanvir

KARACHI: Pakistan Test all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, who led Rawalpindi Rams to the Super-Eight T20 title, said that his side’s participation in the lucrative T20 Champions League solely depends on Indo-Pak ties and the players cannot do anything about it.
“The matter of our qualification in the next edition of the T20 Champions League is dependant on the relations of the two countries and their cricket boards,” Tanvir told ‘The News’.
“As players we can only perform on the field and the rest is up to the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).”
Rams defeated Karachi Dolphins after a nervy encounter in the final that was stretched into the Super Over but the relatively inexperienced Rawalpindi team held their nerves and went to stun the big boys of domestic cricket to claim their first-ever T20 title.
Tanvir, 26, said that if somehow his side gets the chance to play in the next edition of T20 CL, he would prefer playing with the same side.
“If we get the chance to play in the CL, then I would love to play with the same young side because I believe that stellar names do not guarantee success and our team gelled well during the course of the domestic T20 competition,” Tanvir, who was the best bowler of the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), added.
Rams’ stunning success has much to do with the efforts of their skipper, who bowled brilliantly against the most destructive batsmen while also chipping in with useful runs by promoting himself up the order under difficult conditions.
“My main aim is to get back into the Pakistan team and I am not looking beyond that. In addition the recent success was a result of team effort because everybody chipped in with useful performances,” he said.
“I was given the duty to lead Pakistan A by the board and the Rawalpindi Cricket Association officials asked me to lead Rams and I feel that I fulfilled my duties quite well.”
Meanwhile, Sabih Azar, coach of the Rawalpindi Rams said he can not speak over the issue CL as he is a paid-employee of the PCB and could get into trouble for speaking to the media.
Earlier on his return from Hong Kong, PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed said the he was optimistic after having a discussion with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the matter.
“We had a discussion with the BCCI on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting,” Ahmed told reporters on returning from the ICC annual conference.
“Primarily we discussed playing a bilateral series with India. Once the ties revive, we’re confident we’ll be included in the Champions League.” 

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