DUBAI, July 31: Pakistan pace bowler Sohail Tanvir, who was one of the stars at the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year, has strongly backed Test cricket.

“Proving yourself in Test cricket is what really counts. The one-day version and Twenty20 craze is just chill and fun,” Sohail told Gulf News. The 23-year-old all-rounder was all rage when he held his poise and calm to score the winning run and lead Rajasthan Royals to victory in the IPL final.

Sohail, who is on a short visit here, added: “If you are ranked as a player, it is solely based on your performance in Test cricket.

“Other versions are meant to entertain crowds who come to watch sixes, boundaries, catches, wickets. It’s all part of the cricket entertainment. You are out there for a few hours and you get to enjoy all aspects of the game in a limited timeframe. The real thing of course is Test cricket,” he insisted.

Sohail made his Test debut against India last November scoring 17 runs and taking five wickets in two matches he played. “I enjoy playing against India due to pressure on players all the time. It is really tough.”

He is eagerly looking forward to the home series against India this winter.

“I have done well in one-dayers and Twenty20. Unfortunately, I did not get too many chances in Tests. The series against India will be a good chance to prove what I am capable of. I am comfortable in all forms of the game, but it is Test cricket that I would love to prove myself now,” the left-arm paceman asserted.

Riding on his success in the IPL, Sohail feels he is worth more than a million.

“I have two or three very lucrative offers from other IPL franchises, but there is time to make decision on which team offer I will take up for next year,” he said.

Though he was picked up for just $100,000 by Rajasthan Royals, he proved his worth by becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 scalps from 11 matches to walk away with IPL’s ‘Purple Cap’.

“I know I am worth much more. And based on my performances, I think I can easily get a million dollars, if not more,” Sohail stated.

“Now cricket is no longer about big names like it was a decade ago. It is about how you perform each time you are out on the field.”—Agencies