Foreign players willing to play in Pakistan be part of PSL draft: Mushtaq

LAHORE, Mar 21 (APP):Head coach of National Cricket
Academy, former test cricketer Mushtaq Ahmad has said that
Pakistan Super League has gained the status of one of the
world’s top T20 league and only those foreign players be part
of its next editions players draft who signed the contract to
play in Pakistan.
“It was quite unfortunate that leading foreign players opted
out not to visit Pakistan to play the play offs, of the
Pakistan Super League which has undermine the strength of
their respective side and dented their prospects in
progressing in the grand event “, he told APP here on
Wednesday.
He said PSL is now a world known T20 cricket brand and
there is no need to give extra money to the foreign
players, other than the contract amount, in case they play
matches in Pakistan.
“Only those foreign players be part of the next edition of
the PSL who sign contract to fulfill their commitment to play
matches in Pakistan “,he said.
Answering to a question, he said those franchises which are
offering extra amount to visit Pakistan for playing cricket
are not setting a good trend and the foreign players should be
paid according to their contract, no matter where they will
be playing.
The former spin wizard was of the view that PSL has its
established itself as a top cricket league around the globe
and in case foreign players are not willing to participate in
it even then the spectators will thong the stadiums to watch
its matches.
“That stage is not far when the whole PSL will be played
at home grounds in different parts of the country “,he
asserted.
Mushtaq suggested the organizers of the PSL may plan to
hold its maximum number of matches in the country.
Even the services of our former test cricketers can be
hired in order to persuade the foreign players to visit
Pakistan for PSL as foreign players will be considering the
advice of the Pakistani players as they have a lot of trust in
fellow cricketers.
To a question, he dubbed Pakistan cricket team ‘favourite’
against West Indies in the three match T20 series starting
from April 1 at Karachi.
“Considering our team’s performance in T20 matches , I am
optimistic that it will beat West Indies in the series “,
said.
“Our team is balanced in many ways and it also has the
added advantage of home ground and crowd”, he said adding ”
What I have assessed from the statements of Pak team’s head
coach Mickey Arthur and captain Sarfraz Ahmad that they will
be selecting young performers of the PSL in the team helping
them to further underline their talent and to boost their
experience and by that way new talent will be inducted in the
team”.