HBL PSL getting better, says Arthur

SHARJAH: When Mickey Arthur took over as Pakistan coach ahead of last year’s ICC Champions Trophy, one of the major tasks that he set himself was to improve the national team’s atrocious fielding skills.

Pakistani players have seldom been good fielders and their poor catching has often let them down in crucial matches.But the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League is another story. From Shahid Afridi’s memorable catch to the baby-faced leggie Ibtisam Shiekh’s fielding skills, the overall level of fielding in PSL 3 has been quite outstanding.

And unsurprisingly Arthur is pleased. “The fielding standard around the PSL has been outstanding. They have put the Big Bash to shame,” Arthur, who is also coach of Karachi Kings, said in an interview. “It shows the culture we are trying to create at the national level is permeating down,” he added.

Arthur is also happy with the fact that PSL is growing in stature. “The quality is outstanding. It’s a fantastic competition to be part of and it’s going from strength to strength,” he said.