By Akeem Greene
Guyana Amazon Warriors all-rounder Sohail Tanvir is eager to produce another successful season for his franchise in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which runs from August 4 to September 9.
In 2016 he was one of the Warriors’ most consistent players especially with ball in hand which saw him top his team’s bowling charts with 20 wickets from 12 matches while keeping an economy rate of 6.45. (He finished second to Trinbago Knight Riders Dwayne Bravo (21 wickets) overall). With the bat he scored 105 runs, striking at 111.70.
“It was a new challenge for me when I played last year for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. It was touch and go between me and [Dwayne] Bravo. This time around I’m hoping I can do it again or even better”, the player stated.
The left-arm seamer, who has built a reputation as one of the best in the business, is most enthused about the re-laid pitches at the National Stadium, Providence.
“I have seen West Indies/Pakistan ODI series there and I have seen good bounce and carry and I thought that there must be grass on the wicket but it is good to know there is a new pitch all together. Last year (2016) it was slow when I played there and the batmen found it difficult to score as well. I used my experience and with lateral movement I was able to get wickets. As a fast or seam bowler you need good bounce and carry so definitely I am looking forward to bowling there”.
Though National duty always emote a sense of passion and pride, the Pakistani is also most passionate about playing for the Warriors.
“Playing for Guyana [Amazon Warriors] in CPL is amazing. People in Guyana love cricket so I try my level best to live up to their expectations. The first thing I do as a professional cricketer is to own the team. Once you feel like the team is yours you will do your best for the team so I always give 100%”.
The left-handed power-hitting batsman hold the league’s record for the fastest fifty (50 from 18 balls) playing for the St Lucia Stars in 2015 against the Barbados Tridents contented the ‘Biggest party in Sport’ is unlike another tournament.
“The most interesting thing about CPL is that party never stops, all over the world you go and when the game is finished they go home but here the party goes on no matter the results and this is one of the best things about CPL”, the globe-trotting t20 cricketer revealed.
With the Warriors’ opening their campaign on August 5, Tanvir is happy to return to Florida where they won both of their matches last year against the Barbados Tridents.
“Florida was hot last year and should be the same this year but as professionals we have to adapt to various conditions. Playing cricket in Florida, in USA is good. It’s very good to promote cricket in the USA”. Tanvir is expected to be a part of the team’s preparation camp in Guyana which gets underway from July 25. The Warriors will have four home matches from August 17 to 22nd.
On the 17th, they play the Jamaica Tallawahs; after which they play arch-rivals Trinbago Knight Riders two days later. The Warriors then clash with the Barbados Tridents on the 20th, and then have their final home match against the St Lucia Zouks on the 22nd.
