PSL Final In Lahore To Send Positive Image Of Pakistan, Lacks Young Batting Talent : Former Skippers

Mar 3, 2017 at 2:29 PM

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PSL Final In Lahore To Send Positive Image Of Pakistan, Lacks Young Batting Talent : Former Skippers

The former Pakistan skippers Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas on Thursday reiterated the grand finale of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore will send out the positive message to the cricket playing countries that Pakistan is safe for hosting any of the major international events for cricket-starved fans before stating it will help in restoring the cricket in country.

“It is going to be a big cricket event after past so many years and its successful holding will help in improving Pakistan’s image among all cricket playing countries across the globe,” the 69-year-old Zaheer told AFP.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Intikhab Alam has endorsed the views of Abbas while saying Pakistan has a rich history in producing great talents in the past.

“PSL final will forge national unity, bringing closer the people of the country who want resumption of international cricket since 2009,” Alam said.

However, former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who announced his international retirement last month expressed the second edition of PSL hasn’t seen young talent particularly in batting which he has also termed as a huge ‘disappointment’.

“There should have been some exciting batting talent on display in PSL two, as all of us had expected, but that has not happened. Even in the inaugural season last year, there were not many youngsters who impressed with their batting,” the star all-rounder Afridi was quouted as saying by Dawn.com.

The Sialkot-born Zaheer has expressed authorities back home are doing an incredible job to by extending their support to public in a bid to organise the grand event at home.

“It is not just a final of a cricket league, it is also going to be a decisive moment and collective efforts are needed to make it a big success,” Zaheer added.

As the final is scheduled for March 5 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has personally swung into action to see the smooth process of the first-ever PSL T20 league final in their homeland.

“The response of the Federal and Punjab governments is tremendous as they are extending all out cooperation to make this event a success,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally taking interest for the peaceful conduct of the mega event,” Zaheer concluded.

Afridi, who has enthralled his fans during his career which has witnessed highs and lows, has also given a reason to smile for Peshawar Zalmi supporters by playing some quickfire knocks during the ongoing edition of PSL after handing Zalmi’s captaincy to West Indies’ all-rounder Darren Sammy.

On the other side, Afridi praised the young bowlers for bowling splendidly well in the cash-rich league which included leg-spinner Shadab Khan (Islamabad United), Usama Mir (Karachi Kings) and left-arm fast bowler Usman Khan Shinwari (Karachi Kings).

The 37-year-old Peshawar-born Afridi urged such talents such be nursed and recognised by the national selectors before adding such young prospects would take Pakistan cricket to new highs.

“I felt great playing against Usman and Usama and both of them are very talented bowlers. These young players should be groomed in NCA and should be given best facilities which can fulfill the demands of international cricket,” Afridi concluded.

After making his debut in 1998, Afridi played 398 ODIs, 98 T20Is and 27 Tests for Pakistan. He last played his international game against Australia in Mohali in 2016 T20 World Cup.

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