PSL has helped Pakistan cricket immeasurably, says Morrison

DUBAI: Former New Zealand fast bowler Danny Morrison says HBL Pakistan Super League has helped Pakistan immeasurably, maturing talent to the hilt.

The 53-year-old, a regular part of commentary teams in all parts of the cricketing world, singled-out Shadab Khan as a player who has matured from the Pakistan league.“PSL has helped Pakistan cricket immeasurably,” Morrison told psl-t20.com. “Particularly, when you look at the talent available, particularly the raw talent, it’s great,” he said.

Morrison, who played 48 Tests and 96 ODIs, said HBL PSL had been great for Pakistan cricket. “There are a lot of discussions with the Pakistan players on how you need to improve the pitch standards, got to get a better structure and all cost money and then you are playing away from home, but with all that PSL has helped and thrown talent.

“The franchisees have benefited, the players have benefited by rubbing shoulders with some big international players,” said Morrison, who played international cricket from 1987 to 1997. He praised the growth of Shadab, Pakistan’s leg-spinner who is captaining Islamabad United after regular skipper Mohammad Sami got injured.

“The development of Shadab, he is now doing captaincy, is significant. I am really impressed with Rumman Raees, a bit of bouncing back in terms of fitness,” said Morrison of Rumman, who had a year-long lay-off because of an injury.

“Then guys like Musa Khan making his debut, he is very exciting,” said Morrison of the Islamabad United newest pace sensation. “Babar (Azam) bursting onto the scene and his skills with the white ball have developed in the PSL,” he added. “I am targeting pace here, obviously, but I think that is where Pakistan’s strength lies. There are more than few who have been unearthed in the PSL.”

Karachi Kings won toss

Lahore Qalandars

*Fakhar Zaman c Babar b Iftikhar 18

†Gauhar Ali c Amir b Imad 4

Haris Sohail b Iftikhar 20

A B de Villiers c Umer b Amir 33

C J Anderson st Rizwan b Umer 22

Sohail Akhtar not out 29

D Wiese not out 3

Extras (b 2, w 2) 4

Total (5 wickets, 20 overs) 133

Did not bat: S Lamichhane, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Aizaz Cheema

Fall: 1-5, 2-42, 3-47, 4-77, 5-108

Bowling: Imad 4-0-30-1; Amir 4-0-33-1; Aamer 3-0-17-0; Summers 4-0-25-0; Iftikhar 2-0-4-2; Umer 3-0-22-1

Karachi Kings

Babar Azam b Lamichhane 11

C Munro c Haris b Lamichhane 15

L S Livingstone b Yasir 38

C A Ingram b Haris 12

Iftikhar Ahmed not out 33

†Mohammad Rizwan c Fakhar b Wiese 2

*Imad Wasim not out 19

Extras (nb 1, w 3) 4

Total (5 wickets, 19.1 overs) 134

Did not bat: Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Umer Khan, AW Summers

Fall: 1-21, 2-28, 3-78, 4-84, 5-97

Bowling: Fakhar 1-0-14-0; Aizaz 3-0-32-0; Lamichhane 4-0-17-2; Wiese 4-0-16-1; Yasir 3.1-0-32-1; Haris 4-0-23-1

Result: Karachi Kings won by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: Iftikhar Ahmed (KK)

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (England) and Rashid Riaz (Pakistan). TV Umpire: Ahsan Raza (Pakistan)