Pakistan's rookie pace bowler Rahat Ali, who branded his sudden inclusion in the World Cup squad as a 'pleasant' surprise, has pledged that he would make his mark in the one-day game and is looking forward to play alongside his close friend Mohammad Irfan.
Ali, who has figured in just a single ODI during his career, admitted that he is a bit nervous at his selection for the cricket's mega event as a replacement for fellow left-arm quickie Junaid Khan after the latter failed a fitness test of his injured knee.
Ali said that to be honest, the news came as a shock to him personally but added that at the same time it was something he had always dreamt about, The Dawn reported.
Ali claimed that to be playing in the World Cup is what every cricketer dreams about and insisted that he is no exception. He said that at the same time he feels extremely sad for Junaid for not being at the World Cup.
But, the rookie paceman said that this is part and parcel of life where one gains from someone's misfortune.
A regular member of the Pakistan Test squad, the Multan-born Ali is looking forward to playing alongside his close friend Irfan who shares the new ball with the paceman whenever the duo play in the national Twenty20 competition for their region.
Ali said that he and Irfan understand each other very well and talk a lot about their bowling when they play in domestic competitions, and added that the two of them have had experienced many ups and downs during their time together.
But, Ali said that on the whole, he has really enjoyed bowling in tandem with a guy like Irfan, adding that basically, they complement each other extremely well since the two of them are very close.
