Resurgent Sami eyes comeback

dubai — Mohammad Sami has made so many comebacks that it is now perhaps difficult to keep count.

And on the evidence of showing in the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), the veteran fast bowler could be on the threshold of another for Pakistan’s two-month tour of the West Indies, at the end of March.

The squad is set to be announced in the next few days.

The battle-hardened Sami has been amongst the wickets in all except one of the seven matches. But what has been the standout is his last over against the Quetta Gladiators on Friday night, which won a lost game for defending champions Islamabad United.

“The team needed it a lot and I managed to do it. And luck was also with us,” Sami said about the last over.

Islamabad United won by one run, off the last ball.

And Sami, who turned 36 on Friday, reckoned it was probably one of the best overs that he has bowled.

“Well, you could say that. Had we lost this game, the next match would have become a knockout game for us. So, I managed to perform,” he said.

Sami also revealed that he and captain Misbah-ul-Haq made plans for the last over where they had only five runs to defend.

“Last over, Misbah and I were speaking and we said that though we have only five runs to defend, we will go ahead and execute our plan. If the batsman makes a mistake and if luck is on our side, we will definitely win,” said Sami, who battled through illness before the game.

“It was a lost cause actually. But everybody gave their best efforts and we tried to come back into the game,” he added.

Thoughts of a Pakistan recall are not on his mind just yet and Sami said his sole focus was on the PSL.

“Well, right now my focus is on the PSL and I’m not looking too far ahead. If I do get the chance to play for Pakistan again, I will definitely answer the call of the country. But at the moment, my focus is on the PSL,” Sami said.

james@khaleejtimes.com