ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Pakistan’s key fast bowler, Sohail Tanvir, has signed a short term contract worth US $25,000 with South Australia to play five Twenty20 matches.

Shoail, 24, told Dawn on Monday: “I will be playing five Twenty20 matches for a South Australian club which is a good for learning.”

Sohail, is likely to feature in the Redbacks’ opener in the domestic Twenty20 Big Bash, when they take on last year’s runners-up Western Australia on Dec 28 in Adelaide. South Australia is currently at the bottom of the one-day competition and second last in the Sheffield Shield. Sohail had registered his career-best figures of 7 for 21 against Balochistan in the in the four-day version of the Pentangular Cup held last month.

Sohail was also the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural season of IPL taking 22 wickets for Rajasthan Royals.

Queried about Sri Lanka replacing India, after a refusal from the BCCI over Pakistan-India diplomatic tensions and how he would rate the Sri Lankan batting line-up, he remarked: “Indian batting line is stronger than Sri Lanka’s however, we are hopeful to perform well against the visitors.”

Sri Lanka is expected to play three Tests and five ODIs against Pakistan following their tour of Bangladesh, which ends on Jan 14.

“We are well prepared for the tour against the Sri Lankan squad as we always work out a game plan before the tournament,” he added.—Sports Reporter