Pakistan fast-bowler Ehsan Adil, who has not been picked in the draft for the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February 2018, has said that it was disappointing to be ignored for the league.
Adil started his international career in 2013, with a Test debut against South Africa. But, due to unfortunate injuries and lack of opportunities, he has managed to play just three Tests and six one day internationals and pick up just nine wickets so far.
"I would have loved to have played in the PSL but unfortunately, I wasn't picked in the draft which is heart-breaking," cricket website PakPassion quoted Adil, as saying.
Adil had a great start at the Under-19 level, but then things did not fall in place for him.
The right-arm bowler said that he had given highest quality performances in every format of the match, but luck was not with him and he suffered a few injuries.
"Of course, there was a little bit of bad luck as I had a few injuries. The injury I sustained in 2013 during my debut at the Centurion Test against South Africa kept me out of cricket for a long while and then I sustained another injury before the ODI series against Bangladesh in 2015 which was also very disappointing," he said.
"I was sent on a tour to Zimbabwe with Pakistan A where I played three ODIs and took six wickets. But then I later suffered a stress fracture and I was back to where I started with the whole year being spent trying to regain fitness," he added.
Adil was also not picked for the 2016 tour of England and the 24-year-old being dropped for the important tour had disheartened him.
"If I was affected by anything, it was due to the fact that I was not picked for the all-important tour of England in 2016. Being ignored for that tour really disheartened me, especially when I was told by a lot of people that a seamer like me would be ideal for English conditions," he added
Adil revealed that after England tour, he was looking ahead for the series against the West Indies in the UAE, but he could not get space in the team as he was overlooked for the players who did well in England
"I need to look ahead and work hard to get myself noticed by the selectors for future series," he said.
Adil also expressed that his pace has not dropped over time, but now he wants to work to increase his speed.
The fast-bowler said, "I was bowling up to 144kph in the 2015 World Cup and I do believe that I average around the 140kph mark. What I want to do now, based upon advice I have received from various coaches, is to increase that speed a little more as there is room for improvement due to the type of action I have."
"I am trying to put a little more effort in my bowling to increase my speed, but I suppose fear of injury or a repeat of that stress fracture is a slight concern, so I need to be careful here," he added.
Adil believed that his hard work would pay rewards, and he would again get a chance to represent Pakistan.
"All I want to do then is to bowl my best and take wickets and who knows a good performance could get me that opportunity to represent Pakistan again," he said.
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