Nasir Jamshed, the Pakistan batsman, has set his sights on a Test comeback after being dropped from the side ahead of the Zimbabwe tour which begins on August 23.

Jamshed enjoyed a prolific ODI season last year, where he scored 462 runs in eight innings at an average of 66, establishing himself as a regular, though he didn’t hit the same highs in his 16 ODIs this year. His Test performances, have been found wanting, with only 51 runs in four innings, and a high score of 46 in a difficult series in South Africa.

Speaking on the opening day of the national training camp on Tuesday, Jamshed said: “Test cricket is an important format and essential for every big player. I am disappointed over being dropped from the Test side. I will try my best to regain a place in the five-day format too by giving good performances in ODIs and T20s. If I am given another chance in Test cricket, you will find me a more mature player. I have realised my mistakes [in South Africa] and I have learnt the lessons.”

Another notable selection was of the allrounder Anwar Ali, who first gained prominence with his display of swing bowling during the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2006. He has only played one T20I for Pakistan, in a match against Zimbabwe in Canada on October 2008. Since then he has worked on his batting, becoming a competent allrounder in the domestic scene. Over the last two seasons, he has taken 107 wickets at the first-class level, while providing contributions with the bat as well.

Anwar was hopeful that his new-found ability with the bat would hold him in good stead for the tour: “This time I have come back in the team with improved batting skills too to play my role in the team as an effective all-rounder.”

Courtesy: ESPN CRICINFO