Five-star Sohail says Jimmy Anderson the inspiration for grand comeback
BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan's Sohail Khan said watching videos of England great James Anderson had helped him end five years of Test exile with a maiden five-wicket haul at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old right arm paceman justified his recall by taking five for 96 as England were dismissed for 297 on the first day of the third Test.
It was also a reward for Pakistan's decision to drop Wahab Riaz from what had been a previously all left-arm pace attack following England's 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford that saw the hosts square the four-match series at 1-1.
Sohail, whose previous two Tests yielded an expensive return of one for 245, removed a quartet of top-order batsmen under grey skies following Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq's decision to field first.
Anderson, England's all-time leading Test bowler with 458 wickets, is a master performer in such conditions.
Sohail said studying Anderson, who provided him with his fifth wicket Wednesday when he had England's last man lbw, had taught him the value of reducing his speed in order to generate more swing.