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Sohail Khan is a Pakistani cricketer known for his explosive pace and impressive performances in domestic cricket. Born on 6 March 1984 in Sakhakot, Malakand District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, he moved to Karachi to pursue a career in professional cricket.
Sohail Khan's early life was shaped by his environment. Growing up in the mountainous terrains of NWFP, he developed his strength by throwing stones and swimming in rivers and streams. His passion for cricket began at a young age when he started playing tennis-ball cricket with friends.
On the advice of a friend, Sohail moved to Karachi to pursue a career in professional cricket. His brother Murad Khan played some first-class cricket before becoming a model. Initially struggling to find opportunities, Sohail participated in a speed hunt talent contest held by former Pakistani bowler Sikander Bakht where he emerged as the top performer with a speed of 95 mph, which was the third-fastest recorded in Pakistan at that time.
Sohail Khan initially played for various teams in Karachi, including Sindh Police, A.O. Club, Deewan Group, and SSGC. However, it was during his time at SSGC that he gained recognition for his impressive performances.
He ended up being the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 65 wickets that included eight five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls during the 2007/08 season.
In 2015, Sohail Khan was selected for the Pakistan squad in the Cricket World Cup and made a memorable comeback in the opening game against India by taking five wickets. He ended up as Pakistan's second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 wickets at an average of 30.33.
Sohail Khan is known for his explosive pace and ability to swing the ball. He has represented Pakistan in test matches, ODIs, and T20 matches, although his performances outside tournaments have been more notable than those in major tournaments.
In domestic cricket, he broke Fazal Mahmood's long-standing record for the best match figures by a Pakistani bowler during the 2007/08 season when he took sixteen wickets for just 189 runs against WAPDA.
Sohail Khan returned to test cricket after five years during a match against England where he took his first-ever five-wicket haul followed by another five-fer in the fourth Test that helped Pakistan win the match and draw the series.
During his career, Sohail Khan has been successful mostly due to his accuracy combined with a knack for generating extra bounce off slow pitches. His on-field aggression makes him stand out from other bowlers, but it also comes with a risk of conceding too many runs.
Sohail Khan has represented Pakistan in several major international tournaments, including the World Cups, Champions Trophy, and World T20. His most outstanding performance came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup where he picked up twelve wickets in six matches with an average of 30.33.
In the opening match of that tournament against India at Adelaide Oval, Sohail Khan took five wickets for 55 runs in nine overs to help Pakistan secure a victory over their arch-rivals. This was his first-ever five-wicket haul in ODIs.He was part of Pakistan's squad for the Asia Cup held in Bangladesh in 2014 but did not get many opportunities to play.
He played a crucial role for Pakistan in the Independence Cup held in Lahore back in 2017 where he bowled exceptionally well on both occasions against World XI picking up a total of three wickets with an economy rate of 9.00.
Talking about his performance outside international cricket, Sohail Khan was picked by Karachi Kings for Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2016 where he played his role as a frontline fast bowler.
Sohail Khan is known primarily for his right-arm fast bowling abilities. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a valuable asset to any team he represents.
Khan's bowling technique is unique; he bowls with a high arm action with a good pace generating movement off the surface or through the air. Sohail's yorkers and bouncers are quite effective, and he uses them sparingly to surprise the batsmen.Apart from his bowling skills, Sohail Khan is also a handy lower-order batsman who can score some quick runs in pressure situations.
In terms of weaknesses, Sohail Khan has been criticized for his inconsistency with line and length at times. There have been instances when he has been expensive and leaked runs despite being a frontline bowler.
Sohail Khan has maintained a low profile off the field but is known for his passionate approach towards cricket. He is not someone who shies away from showing his emotions on the field.Khan keeps himself fit by regularly working out in the gym and running. He likes to spend time with his family when he's not playing cricket.Sohail Khan currently endorses brands like Q Mobiles, Lays Chips, and Gai Power Washers, among others. However, he likes to keep himself away from controversies and media attention.
Sohail's exceptional performances have set some impressive records. He broke Fazal Mahmood's long-standing record for the best bowling figures by a Pakistani in first-class cricket during the 2007/08 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and took 65 wickets that season. He also holds the record for the best match haul by a Pakistani bowler in domestic cricket, taking 16 wickets for 189 runs against WAPDA.
His standout performance came against India at the 2015 Cricket World Cup where he picked up five wickets, including those of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, conceding just 55 runs. Although Pakistan lost that match, his efforts earned him accolades from all corners.
Overall, Sohail Khan's contribution to Pakistan Cricket has been significant, particularly in domestic cricket. His achievements will inspire future generations of fast bowlers and add to Pakistan's rich tradition of producing talented cricketers.
He was awarded the Maroon Cap and Best Bowler of the Season award during the 2017 PSL season with Karachi Kings after taking 16 wickets at an average of 14.50 from nine matches. Additionally, he was included in the Pakistan squad for Independence Cup (2017) as well as for England tours (2020).
Sohail Khan's cricketing journey is one of perseverance, dedication, and hard work. His success in domestic cricket led to his selection for the national team, where he had some memorable performances.
FAQs
How many wickets has Sohail Khan taken in ODI matches?
Sohail Khan has taken 19 wickets in ODI matches.
What is Sohail Khan's highest score in Test cricket format?
Sohail Khan's highest score in the Test cricket format is 65.
What is Sohail Khan's average in T20Is?
Sohail Khan's avrage in T20Is is 24.60.
How many wickets has Sohail Khan taken in the Test cricket format?
Sohail Khan has taken 27 wickets in the Test cricket format.
When did Sohail Khan make his Test debut?
Sohail Khan made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2009.
