Tanvir called in as cover for Irfan, Gul

Left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been called up to the Pakistan one-day squad as cover for Mohammed Irfan and Umar Gul. Tanvir, who is already in South Africa playing for the Lions franchise in the domestic Twenty20 competition, will have to juggle his participation in that event with any possible recall to the Pakistan squad.

Tanvir met with the Pakistan management during the third ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday. Misbah-ul-Haq said the team had been in discussions with Tanvir and were considering using him as back-up at the post match press conference.

The Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Tanvir had been in touch with Pakistan but said he will turn out for the franchise on March 19 in Centurion, where they play the Titans. Should the Lions win that match, they will have taken a massive step towards qualifying for the final.

Tanvir will then fly to Durban where Pakistan play the fourth ODI on March 21. If the Lions need Tanvir, he will have to go straight to East London to play for the them again on March 22. However if he is not needed, the Lions will rest him and he can continue to be part of the Pakistan camp until the final one-day match in Benoni on Sunday, before returning to the Lions for the knockout stages.

Irfan, the seven-foot tall bowler, is struggling with a stomach bug. He had to leave the field during the Wanderers match and was treated off field. He also picked up a hamstring strain on Friday night in Centurion although Misbah clarified that "there is nothing wrong with his hamstring." Irfan returned to bat later in the match. Gul, who has been out of form, was left out of the third match with a knee injury.

Tanvir has played an important part in the Lions campaign. He is the joint second-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 scalps at 16.40.