Tanvir ready to spearhead Pak bowling

Left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir, who topped the Indian Premier League (IPL) bowler's list with 22 wickets, is ready to take on the responsibility of being Pakistan's leading bowler in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

Tanvir returned with Kamran Akmal and Akhtar from India on Wednesday and told reporters at the airport he was ready to return to national duty.
Asked if he was prepared for the main bowler's role after the Asif incident, Tanvir said he had learnt and gained lot of confidence from playing in the IPL with the world's best players.
"I am ready. When I can perform in the IPL I can do more for my national team. Obviously I will try to better my IPL form while playing for Pakistan in the tri-series against India and Bangladesh," he said.
Tanvir said he had become a better bowler playing under the supervision of captain Shane Warne for the Rajasthan Royals team and had picked up some very good tips.
"The IPL has been a great experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly," Tanvir added.
Akhtar as expected avoided the media refusing to speak to them after arrival and making a quick exit for his hometown Rawalpindi.
Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who also played for Rajasthan Royals which won the IPL, said he was looking forward to the launch of the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) next year.
"The IPL has been a big success and of international standards. I am confident our PPL will be as successful and we will also have the best players appearing for our teams. I would like to be part of the PPL," he said.
Akmal said it would not be a problem for him or his teammates to revert back to playing 50 overs international cricket after the Twenty20 IPL tournament.
Tanvir also agreed and both players said produced form in the tri-series in Bangladesh would not be a problem as they came confident and motivated from the IPL.