With the experience of test cricket now under his belt, Tanvir is hoping that his dream debut is the start of a fruitful and successful career. Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net ; Tanvir stated that he was really looking forward to getting an opportunity to bowl on the wickets in New Zealand.

 by Saj Sadiq

31 December 2010

To refer to Tanvir Ahmed's test debut as a dream start would indeed be a huge understatement. On an Abu Dhabi featherbed that heralded 1374 runs for the loss of only 27 wickets, the Karachi Blues medium fast bowler marked his introduction to international cricket with the highly respectable match figures of 6 for 149.

Tanvir caught the eye of the selectors last season after the Kuwait-born bowler became the leading wicket-taker in 2009-10 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 85 wickets at an impressive average of 17.12. His contribution was more than valuable as it helped Karachi Blues lift the trophy for the eighth time.

Tanvir was selected for the tour of England but his only opportunities came in the side matches and during net practice. In fact it was during pre match practice that 32 year old Tanvir caught the eye of Aussie legend Shane Warne. However Warne's compliments about Tanvir were not enough for him to be presented with an opportunity in England.

Tanvir though didn't lose heart and grabbed his opportunity when it finally presented itself in the UAE. A hard working and honest bowler, he had the South African's tottering at 33 for 3, before De Villiers and Amla fought back for the South Africans.

With the experience of test cricket now under his belt, Tanvir is hoping that his dream debut is the start of a fruitful and successful career. Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net ; Tanvir stated that he was really looking forward to getting an opportunity to bowl on the wickets in New Zealand.

"Waqar has a lot of experience of bowling in New Zealand and his advice and help will be crucial. Of course the wickets for the test matches should be much more helpful to the bowlers than what we all saw in the UAE, which is certainly something that I am looking forward to."

Tanvir added that he's a bowler who prefers to pitch the ball up and swing and seam the ball, rather than bang it in short, and this was a tried and trusted formula that had worked for him in his 11 year first class career.

"I've always preferred to pitch the ball up and give it a chance to swing and seam. Of course I'll adjust to the conditions, but I fully expect that my preferred length and bowling style will work in New Zealand. I'm a firm believer that in test cricket all around the world you are better off pitching the ball up, especially the new ball."

Tanvir shared the new ball in Abu Dhabi with Umar Gul and stated that he enjoys bowling with the new ball, rather than first change.

"I enjoyed bowling with the new ball in the UAE, as there is always a chance that the ball will do a bit. Yes I think its fair enough to say that I prefer bowling with the new ball, but if the captain and coach want me to bowl first change, then I don't mind at all."

Tanvir's opportunity at international cricket came about after 11 tough seasons in domestic cricket where he has taken over 400 wickets in just over 100 matches. He admitted that it had been a tough slog and at times he thought his chance to play for his country would never come.

"I thank the Almighty that my chance has finally come to wear the Pakistan cap with pride. It's been a long and tough road for me and I look back at all of the hard work that I have put in over the years and am grateful that I am finally being given a chance to play for Pakistan."

Whilst he finds himself in the Pakistan squad at the moment, Tanvir though is not wresting on his laurels and knows that the competition for places in the bowling department is tough.

"Just because I am in the test squad doesn't mean that I can take it easy and take my place for granted. I want to improve, I want to continue to develop my bowling by working with Waqar (Younis) and Aaqib (Javed) and I want to keep my place in the squad as the competition for places in the fast bowling department is really tough."

Tanvir made his Twenty20 debut in Christchurch in the third match of the series, in what turned out to be a one sided encounter and bowled 3 steady overs for 13 runs whilst picking up the wicket of Jessie Ryder. However it's the forthcoming test series that he's expected to make his mark. The two test series commences on 7th January in Hamilton in what is expected to be a closely fought contest.