There is a certain spring in the steps of Pakistanis right now. The feeling of euphoria that many felt back in May of this year when Zimbabwe became the first international team to tour the country seems to be back.
Forgotten are the frustrations and anxieties associated with the ill-fated proposed series with India which has been holding prime position on Pakistan news headlines. All that seems to be now replaced by happy faces of Pakistan cricket officials, current and former players and fans alike as they look forward to what promises to be a real shot in the arm for the game in Pakistan.
McCullum gave cricket an identity to be proud of
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The Pakistan Super League (PSL), due to be played in the UAE from February 2016, has recently crossed a few significant milestones. With the finalisation of the five franchise owners agreed in the first week of December, the PSL Players draft was also successfully concluded after two days of frenetic activity. With 98 players selected, consisting of some of the top names in international cricket such as Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Shahid Afridi, Darren Sammy and Shoaib Malik now part of the five franchises, we examine how each of the teams are expected to fare in what promises to be an exciting tournament.
Lahore Qalandars
– GALLERY: Lahore Qalandars full lineup
In terms of the actual choices made by teams, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that the Lahore Qalandars have a squad that on their day can defeat anyone. To start with Lahore Qalandarssealed one of the most sought after signings in the guise of West Indian Chris Gayle, one of the most explosive batsmen in the shortest format of the game and capable of singlehandedly winning matches. They also acquired some more firepower with the addition of Dwayne Bravo, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Kevon Cooper and Mukhtar Ahmed; just what the doctor ordered for this format.
In the bowling department there aren’t too many big names but the one most fans will be looking forward to watching will be spinner Zafar Gohar. Lahore also picked Hammad Azam who seems like a very decent choice to fill one of the all-rounder’s spots.
Star Buy: Chris Gayle
One to watch: Mohammad Rizwan
Full Squad: Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shoaib Maqsood, Mustafizur Rahman, Kevon Cooper, Cameron Delport, Zafar Gohar, Hammad Azam, Zia-ul-Haq, Zohaib Khan, Azhar Ali, Naved Yasin, Adnan Rasool
Supplementary: 17 Abdul Razzaq, 18 Mukhtar Ahmed, 19 Ehsan Adil, 20 Imran Butt
Karachi Kings
– GALLERY: Karachi Kings full lineup
The signing of Shoaib Malik could be considered a masterstroke, given how good his record is as a captain in domestic cricket; where he has led the Sialkot Stallions to several titles. With the acquisition of the likes of Nauman Anwar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tillakaratne Dilshan alongside Malik, the batting department looks very strong. Nauman Anwar, in particular, may be inexperienced but he is a clean striker of the ball and has a wide range of shots.
The bowling strength of the Karachi side has been bolstered by the addition of Mohammad Amir – probably the hottest pick and the one everyone was looking forward to seeing bowl. He has already taken a few wickets in First-Class cricket and was in top form in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier. Sohail Khan, Mir Hamza, Usama Mir, and Sohail Tanvir are rest of the bowlers picked by the Karachi Kings, all somewhat tried and tested names in this format.
The names of Shakib Al Hasan and Imad Wasim stand out for the all-rounder’s spots, as does England’s Ravi Bopara.
Star Buy: Mohammad Amir
One to watch: Zafar Gohar
Full Squad: Shoaib Malik, Shakib Al Hasan, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Ravi Bopara, Lendl Simmons, Mohammad Amir, Bilawal Bhatti, James Vince, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Anwar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Usama Mir, Sohail Khan, Mir Hamza, Safiullah Bangash
Supplementary: 17 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 18 Shahzaib Hasan, 19 Fawad Alam
Islamabad United
– GALLERY: Islamabad United full lineup
Islamabad United have done well to choose Misbah-ul-Haq as their captain. Underrated in the twenty over format Misbah still has the power and skill to unleash some powerful shots and the Pakistan captain’s leadership skills are second to none. Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Sami and Khalid Latif are also good picks by Islamabad and all three could surprise viewers with their capabilities in the twenty over format.
Picking up players such as Shane Watson, Andre Russell, and Babar Azam can be considered good planning, while Umar Amin will also be a player to look out for despite a disappointing record in international cricket to date.
Star Buy: Imad Wasim
One to watch: Sharjeel Khan
Full Squad: Shane Watson, Andre Russell, Misbah-ul-Haq, Samuel Badree, Mohammad Irfan, Brad Haddin, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Sami, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Imran Khalid, Kamran Ghulam, Umar Amin, Sam Billings, Rumman Raees, Amad Butt
Supplementary: Ashar Zaidi, Saeed Ajmal, Hussain Talat, Umar Siddiq
Peshawar Zalmi
– GALLERY: Peshawar Zalmi full lineup
Peshawar Zalmi’s signing of Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi was very much a predictable move. Had Islamabad United been given first pick they too perhaps would have gone with the Pakistan Twenty20 captain.
Looking at the overall squad, it is a balanced one which includes some well-known international names like Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal who will lend a lot of solidity to the Peshawar batting order.
The bowling will have the services of the dependable, feisty Wahab Riaz, England international Chris Jordan, Junaid Khan and the newer talent in the shape of Mohammad Asghar and Taj Wali. The all-round capability of Darren Sammy with his vast experience of the top Twenty20 leagues around the world will be crucial to Peshawar’s chances.
Star Buy: Wahab Riaz
One to watch: Dawid Malan
Full Squad: Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Darren Sammy, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Chris Jordan, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Khan, Jim Allenby, Aamer Yamin, Dawid Malan, Imran Khan jr, Shahid Yousuf, Abdur Rehman, Musadiq Ahmed, Hasan Ali
Supplementary: Mohammad Asghar, Brad Hodge, Israrullah, Taj Wali
Quetta Gladiators
– GALLERY: Quetta Gladiators full lineup
Kevin Pietersen is an outstanding pick by Quetta and his form will be crucial to Quetta’s chances of lifting the inaugural PSL title. If the recent Quaid-e-Azam trophy rounds are any guide, Aizaz Cheema and Umar Gul could provide the bowling firepower on listless UAE pitches.
Quetta have picked some aggressive batsmen in Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad but their recent international form does not suggest that they will set the tournament on fire. Asad Shafiq is another who falls in the below par performers category but on the flip side, it can be argued that playing alongside the likes of Pietersen can help improve his game which would be beneficial for Pakistan as well.
Star Buy: Kevin Pietersen
One to watch: Luke Wright
Full Squad: Kevin Pietersen, Sarfraz Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Jason Holder, Luke Wright, Zulfiqar Babar, Umar Gul, Elton Chigumbura, Bilal Asif, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Nawaz, Saad Nasim, Mohammad Nabi, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Bismillah Khan
Supplementary: Kumar Sangakkara, Aizaz Cheema, Rameez Raja jnr