Pakistan cricket has received great news with the plans for Pakistan Super League (PSL) being revealed by the PCB management. Not only will this event lead to competitive domestic cricket and improve player earnings, it will also present a very soft image of our country.

The PSL is set to attract top T20 players of the world with more than 90 international players from nine countries having consented to taking part in the league. Many of these players are T20 specialists who have been plying their trade in various leagues across the world.

Five of the top ten T20 all-rounders in ICC rankings have agreed to be a part of the PSL. Sri Lanka’s ODI and Test captain Angelo Mathews is the latest player to have consented to taking part in the PSL. He is joined by Kieron Pollard, the 28-year-old T20 expert who recently led his team Barbados Tridents to the final of the CPL. In addition to this, Pollard is a seasoned IPL campaigner where multiple teams fought for him before a silent tie-breaker allowed Mumbai Indians to sign him up.

Pollard is joined by Dwayne Bravo, former West Indies ODI captain, and another T20 specialist. Bravo recently led the Shahrukh Khan owned Red Steel to victory in the CPL. He has represented top domestic teams such as Chennai Super Kings, Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Renegades, Essex, and Kent. Dwayne Smith is a veteran of 239 T20 matches with a stellar record for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Thisara Perera is another top T20 all-rounder who has consented to play PSL.

On the bowling front, the PSL currently has six of the top ten ICC T20 bowlers on its roster. Leading the pack are the West Indian spin duo of Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree. These two are the top T20 bowlers in world cricket today according to ICC’s official rankings. The spin wizards are joined by Sri Lanka’s T20 captain and yorker-specialist Lasith Malinga.

Some teams will be playing Test series during this time but even with this hindrance, the PSL management has reportedly received consent forms from over 90 players. The choice of Doha as a venue for the first edition of the league has received criticism from some quarters, but as a former player I have heard great things about the venue. Not only is the stadium up to the international standards, there is great cricketing interest in the Qatari population. Only last year, close to 10,000 people turned up to watch Pakistan women’s team play South Africa women’s outfit. Just imagine how the presence of top international cricket stars in Qatar will attract the crowds.

More importantly, Qatar’s investment in sports is huge and the Qatar government is extending full cooperation to the PSL team. With UAE authorities failing to cooperate, I believe the choice of Doha as a venue is an excellent one.

I am also very pleased to know that the two most well-respected international icons — Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja — have been appointed as PSL Ambassadors. Their appointment will go a long way in portraying the true image of PSL to all stakeholders. Hopefully, more former players will rally around the league and support the efforts of PCB in the days to come.

In the coming days, some other major T20 players are also expected to sign up for the PSL. The league is purely Pakistan’s product and one that should be proudly owned by Pakistanis all over the world.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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