Tanvir to play for Rajasthan Royals against Middlesex

By Omar Khalid, Karachi, July 3 : All-rounder Sohail Tanvir will be back playing for Rajasthan Royals during a charity match against Middlesex Panthers at Lord's next week.

Tanvir was one of the most valuable player in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year, but could not play this year in South Africa because the Pakistani government decided against allowing its players to take part in the event due to strained relations with India.

The lanky player, who was dropped from Pakistan's Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka because of poor form, said he would look to regain his touch in the match.

"I'm desperately looking to regain my old form and hope to do that in the Royals match against Middlesex," he said. Tanvir is scheduled to leave for London Saturday (June 4).

Tanvir, who struggled in last month's Twenty20 World championship due to poor form, was allowed to feature for the Rajasthan Royals' eagerly-awaited Twenty20 clash against Middlesex Panthers July 6 by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Tanvir was the best bowler of the IPL in the first season and played a key role in the Royals' title win in the cash-rich Twenty20 league.

He missed the second season of the IPL in South Africa earlier this year.

According to Portfolio World - the event management company representing Tanvir and several other Pakistani cricketers, the Royals owners are happy to have Tanvir back in their squad.

The company quoted Shilpa Shetty, the co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, as saying that she was excited to have Tanvir back in the team.

"He was truly missed in the IPL second season," Shetty was quoted in the statement as having said.