Flower hopes PSL stint will benefit English cricket as well

Published December 17, 2015
“I toured Pakistan a number of times, and I think it’s really sad that we aren’t playing cricket in Pakistan,” says Andy Flower. — AFP/File
“I toured Pakistan a number of times, and I think it’s really sad that we aren’t playing cricket in Pakistan,” says Andy Flower. — AFP/File

Head coach of the England Lions and former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower on Thursday confirmed his participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying that he was “looking forward to doing something different.”

“I’ve been approached to do some batting coaching for Peshawar, one of the franchises in the new Pakistan Super League,” Andy Flower, the former England Team Director, told ecb.co.uk.

“I’m looking forward to doing something different.

“I’ve chatted with Andrew Strauss about whether that’s OK from an ECB perspective and he says it is on the basis that it’s good for our English coaches to get out and about amongst some of these Twenty20 franchise competitions, to learn what’s happening outside of the domestic game in England, to interact with some of the international coaches and players, and to bring some of that knowledge back into our game in England.”

Flower, who toured Pakistan three times during his cricketing career for Zimbabwe, was saddened by the fact that there was no international cricket in Pakistan.

“I toured Pakistan a number of times as a player, and I think it’s really sad that we aren’t playing international cricket in Pakistan,” he said.

“Of course there are good reasons for that but the sooner we get back playing in Pakistan the better.

“I really enjoyed my tours anywhere in Asia and Pakistan was no different. We toured some fascinating places. Obviously the main cities but also we got out to Peshawar, we played a Test up there, we also played in Quetta, and I always found it fascinating observing another culture.”

The 47-year-old, who joins a host of former cricketers in the PSL's list of coaches, said he was looking forward to working with players from Pakistan.

“I think I’m really going to find it interesting being in amongst a group of Pakistani players and coaches, with a few international players there. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they do things, learning about them, and that should be a fascinating aspect of the three weeks or a month that we’re together.”

On December 13, the Peshawar franchise of the PSL – to be called Peshawar Zalmi – unveiled a star-studded coaching panel that will lead its campaign in the first edition of the most lucrative domestic tournament in the country’s history.

Flower has been inducted into Zalmi’s coaching panel as a batting consultant, whereas former head coach of the National Cricket Academy Mohammad Akram will take up responsibility as head coach of the unit.

Moreover, former Australia batsman Dean Jones on Monday also confirmed his signing as the head coach for PSL’s Islamabad franchise.

The 54-year-old posted a video on his official Facebook account to let his followers know about his PSL signing.

For the country’s financial capital Karachi, former South Africa and Australia coach, Mickey Arthur, was named the head coach, team owner Salman Iqbal announced two days ago.

Iqbal, who purchased the Karachi franchise for a reported amount of $26 million, picked former leg-spin great Mushtaq Ahmed as Arthur’s deputy.

The PSL is scheduled to take place from Feb 4-23, 2016 in Dubai and Sharjah, and the draft event for the inaugural edition of the league will be held on Dec 21 and 22, 2015.

With 308 top local and foreign cricketers on the draft list, the five franchise owners will select players for their respective teams.

The PSL has already finalised the sale of commercial rights for franchises, broadcast, and title sponsorship.

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