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Follow UsDeath, taxes, and Sohail Tanvir’s first-over wickets
These are the three things that are certain in life. Out of nowhere, not only has Tanvir slotted seamlessly into Chitwan Rhinos’ scheme of things but has also ensured that he’s a driving force behind their powerful start to the Nepal Premier League 2024 campaign.
The 39-year-old has always been known for his ability to price out wickets in the very first over, but was it possible at 39? As the two games have reflected, not only has it been possible, but he’s done it effortlessly.
Walking straight into the playing XI as Marchant de Lange’s replacement, Tanvir showed a trailer of what he’s worth to any setup against Kathmandu Gurkhas. Bowling the second over of the innings, the left-arm pacer struck off his first ball to send the dangerous Stephen Eskinazi back to the hut.
“I have played over 400 matches; the experience helped me; it was a slow pitch, and there was a lot of seam movement. It is about bringing the experience to the table,” he said after the first clash.
While Michael Levitt took the attack to the 39-year-old, it was Tanvir who had the last laugh, dismissing him the very next over. That set up the base and ensured that the Gurkhas never found it easy to score runs in the clash ever after.
After his three-wicket spell up front, the Pakistani pacer returned to bowl one at the death, where he completed his five-wicket haul, the first for the Rhinos in this edition. His celebration was as joyous as ever, with his finger pointing upwards, sending the batter back to the dressing room.
“I didn’t have much time to adjust to the conditions; we only had a few practice sessions; I flew straight here from Canada. But again, I will emphasise on my experience, it allowed me to settle down quickly.”
If he picked up one wicket in the first clash of his first over, Tanvir ensured he did something unbelievable in the second clash against Pokhara Avengers, scalping THREE WICKETS OFF HIS FIRST OVER. It was a surreal exhibition of pace bowling combined with the accuracy of his seam that just hooped the ball around in Kirtipur, much to the applause and cheer of the enthusiastic crowd.
Tanvir first removed the dangerous Avengers’ skipper Kushal Bhurtel off the first delivery before almost sealing the game with the scalps of both Dilip Nath and Netherlands-talented all-rounder Bas de Leede.
It was quite a delivery that removed de Leede, with the ball shaping slightly away from the right-hander at the most crucial moment.
“We are here to win, no doubt, but as an individual, I’m here to transfer my knowledge to the youngsters here in Nepal. I still have the passion to play cricket but I’m here to transfer my knowledge. I hope not just my team but other teams can come and learn from me. For me, cricket is my passion, I’m happy wherever my cricket goes,” he said.
The fact that he’s 39 and yet hooping the ball in ways that others can only imagine creates an aura that surrounds the Pakistani pacer. While Tanvir didn’t pick up any more wickets in the clash, his opening spell ensured that the Avengers were disassembled more than assembled, with eight wickets in just two clashes, as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
For someone like Rijan Dhakal, who is bowling from the other end, Tavir’s transfer of knowledge is the best possible thing that could happen in the league. It was evident when the left-arm Nepal pacer picked up a three-wicket haul in the same clash against the Avengers.
Not only is Tanvir ageing like a fine wine, but his experience is making the league richer.
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