RAHUL Sharma is on the verge of being recalled to the Hong Kong national team. Sharma, who lost his place in the Hong Kong side - being dropped from the squad to tour Bangladesh later this month - has been told to attend national squad practices at the Kowloon Cricket Club this evening. It is known that the selectors will meet tonight at the KCC, to reconsider their decision to drop Sharma from the initial 15-strong squad which was named last week. 'I have been told to turn up for practices. As far as I know, no decision has been taken,' said Sharma yesterday. Hong Kong captain Pat Fordham acknowledged that Sharma had been asked to turn up for practice sessions although he refused to comment on whether this meant he would be included in the tour squad. His fate apparently lies in the hands of the chairman of selectors, Rod Starling. Sharma, a former Ranji Trophy player, was omitted by the selectors who decided to pick only 15 players despite original intentions to take a 16-strong squad. The reason for naming 15 players was mainly due to a cost-cutting exercise - and as it was thought better to take a physiotherapist along. But the absence of Sharma has raised some concern in cricketing circles as it is felt the Bombay-born player is still a class-act despite having had an average season. Last season, Sharma created Hong Kong cricketing history when he became the first person to score 1,000 runs in the Sunday League. This season he has scored around 450 runs - a drop in form by his own measure.
