PakPassion.net understands that Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Talha is the target for an English County side this summer, providing he can prove his fitness to them.

By Saj Sadiq (25th February, 2012)

PakPassion.net understands that Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Talha is the target for an English County side this summer, providing he can prove his fitness to them.

23 year old Talha has represented Pakistan in only one Test match, which was the ill fated Lahore encounter versus Sri Lanka in 2009 that was marred by a terrorist attack, but has been close to national selection on several occasions since his debut.

Earmarked as one for the future when he burst onto the domestic scene in 2007, Talha has been unlucky with injuries and a lack of consistency has also hindered his progress.

Talha has been on the fringes of international selection and has attended several pre tour training camps only to miss out at the last minute when the final squad has been chosen.

Recently though the Faisalabad born right arm fast bowler who represents National Bank in domestic 4 day cricket, has found the form and rhythm that the selectors have been looking for. Impressive displays for National Bank in the Quaid E Azam Trophy earned Talha a call up for the PCB XI versus England and also to the Pakistan Test squad that faced England in the UAE.

As luck would have it, an impressive and fiery first innings burst for the PCB XI where he took the wickets of Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior was followed by a back injury that ruled him out of the Test series. The injury occurred when his studs were caught in the footholds as he bowled and consequently jarred his back.

The four wicket burst by Talha at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai impressed several of the England players and no doubt a few of them had a word or two with their respective Counties in trying to recruit Talha for the upcoming County season.

A source close to Talha stated to PakPassion.net that “He has been contacted by an English County side that are looking for a fast bowler to bolster their ranks and Talha fits the bill nicely for them. They have spoken with him and they are keeping a close eye on how he gets on in the upcoming One Day National Cup and whether he has fully recovered from the back injury.”

The source added “Talha was very disappointed to miss out on the Test series against England especially after bowling well in the warm up match. He’s keen to regain his fitness, to start playing domestic cricket and hopes that he can make the Asia Cup squad.”

Talha has been working with the fitness trainers at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore over the last couple of weeks and whilst not yet 100% fit he is nearing match fitness and is likely to play some part in the competition for the Faisalabad Wolves.