CLT20: Atmosphere in India is just like in Pakistan, says Ehsan Adil

Promising Pakistan fast bowler Ehsan Adil on Friday said that the atmosphere in India is just like in his country.

"This was my first time to India and the whole atmosphere was just like that in Pakistan. The wicket here in Mohali was pace-friendly and the crowd was also good," the lanky 20-year-old right-arm pacer said.

Adil played his first Test while still a teenager -- in February against South Africa in Centurion -- after playing only 12 first-class matches.

A dream first-class debut season -- he picked 54 wickets at 18 -- followed a successful Super Eight T20 Cup in which he bowled Faisalabad Wolves to the title with tournament-highest 12 wickets at 12.6 in five matches. It also earned them a chance to play in the Champions League T20, in the Qualifiers.

Although the Wolves could not make it to the Group Stage after losing their first two matches, Adil delivered them their final hurrah with figures of 3/26 in four overs against the Kandurata Maroons today.

After his team's 10-run win in their final CLT20 match today, the young pacer said he would be richer by the experience in this tournament.

"Although very short, this was a big experience for me as an upcoming cricketer. I did well at domestic level and everyone had lots of hopes pinned on me," he said.

"Unfortunately, I could only deliver in our last match. But it was important for us to win at least one match before going home. I am glad I could play my part in achieving that," he added.

Adil said that inexperience in the batting lineup hurt the team.

"We had only one international batsman in Misbah Bhai. All other batsmen were young and inexperienced. They tried their best, but in a tournament like this experience plays an important part," he said, adding that the team took time to come to terms with the pace and magnitude of the tournament.

"This was our first time in such a tournament and we could not understand what to do in first couple of matches. But as a team, this was an enriching experience and hopefully, we will come back next year as Pakistan's T20 champions.

"I have some international experience. In this tournament I got a better idea of how to bowl to likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Brendon McCullum under pressure."