The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undeniably the biggest franchise-based T20 event in the world, considering the quality of players, the crowd, the rewards, the atmosphere and the level of competition and every cricketer wants to be part of this league at least once in his career.

However, many managed to become the regular part of IPL while some couldn’t even get the chance to showcase their talent despite being part of the teams whereas some had the privilege of playing only once in the tournament and Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir is one of those.

Tanvir, Pakistan left-arm pacer, was the best bowler of the inaugural IPL 2008, taking the Rajasthan Royals to the only title triumph but since then no Pakistani player has been allowed to feature in the tournament due to tense political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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However, he has then played in numbers of T20 leagues across the country including Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, and Pakistan Super League but he didn’t get the taste of IPL, labeling India’s T2-0 extravaganza as the top T20 league in the world.

He also regrets that he and other Pakistani players can no longer participate in the tournament while saying he had learnt a lot as a youngster playing in the IPL with Shane Warne as his captain.

Tanvir said on GTV News channel, “Yes as a professional cricketer there is regret that I and other Pakistani players can’t appear in the IPL. It is realistically the top T20 league in the world. Which player would not like to play in it.”

He added, “I learnt a lot not only on the field but after sharing the dressing room with some very senior players. Warne was a great motivator and shrewd captain and used me beautifully in that IPL.”

The 35-year-old speedster, who has been a regular face in the franchise-based leagues across the world, revealed that he had intentionally cut down on his T20 league appearances to play domestic cricket in all formats, as he isn't giving up his hopes of making a return to Pakistan side.

He last played for Pakistan in April 2017 in the West Indies but still hopes to get a recall to the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup 2020 at home and T20 World Cup 2020 later this year in Australia.

The veteran further added, “In the last one year I have intentionally cut down on my T20 league appearances because I now want to play more for Pakistan and that is why I have concentrated on playing in domestic cricket in all formats.”

Tanvir signed off by saying, “I have not given up hope of getting a recall to the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup and World T20 this year. Then we also have another World T20 next year in India. The fact that the selectors have recalled Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik for the series against Bangladesh has given me a lot of hope. It means seniors are still in contention.”

(With GTV News Inputs)