Sohail Tanvir

Dubai: Sohail Tanvir, the most successful bowler in the IPL’s inaugural edition, last year, is “very disappointed” that circumstances beyond his control have made him miss season No.2.

The left-arm speedster had been a key player in the Rajasthan Royals’ totally unexpected success.

“I’m very disappointed... I believe we should’ve been allowed to play once the IPL was shifted to South Africa,” Tanvir told The Telegraph on Friday evening.

Speaking at the opulent Grand Hyatt, shortly before the Pakistan team left for Abu Dhabi on the way home after six matches against Australia in the UAE, he added: “I’m confident I would’ve matched, if not bettered, last year’s record (22 wickets in 11 outings)... Lekin chance hi nahin diya gaya...”

Tanvir confirmed that he and a couple of other players — former captain Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt, in all probability — would leave for South Africa early next week for a “dialogue” with IPL supremo Lalit Modi.

“A number of issues need to be discussed and we’ll be accompanied by a representative of the company we’ve engaged to handle our case... I strongly feel the IPL should’ve reviewed our status, especially after our government issued the NOCs once the tournament moved out of India,” he said.

Of course, before the IPL got shifted, Islamabad had barred Pakistani players from travelling to India. It was a 26/11 fallout.

Asked whether compensation from the franchises would be high on their agenda, Tanvir replied: “That will be talked about, yes... Let’s see how the dialogue with the IPL goes...”

The engagements (five ODIs and one T20 match) against Australia coincided with the first half of the IPL and, so, the speedster wasn’t able to establish contact either with Royals captain Shane Warne or anybody else in the franchise.

“Now, I suppose there will be time to interact... If we’re in a city where the Royals are playing, then I’ll be able to meet Warne and the others in person... I’m delighted that the team has begun to do well after starting somewhat indifferently... Khushi ho rahi hai,” Tanvir remarked.

Missing out on the IPL’s second edition has meant fewer T20 matches before next month’s World T20 in England and that’s cause for more disappointment.

“You can only gain by playing with and against the best in the world... However, our Board has worked out a schedule, whereby we’ll get to play some T20 matches at home, before we leave for England,” the 24-year-old pointed out.