PSL timing good for Pak cricket: Rashid

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former Test fast bowler Rashid Khan has said the timing of PSL will help Pakistan’s preparation for the World Cup 2019.

Pakistan would have a number of matches for the preparation and the national selection committee would have options to test all those players who have performed well but have not been given chances, he said while talking to ‘The News’.

He endorsed the selection committee’s decision to rest six players, including captain Sarfraz Ahmed, for the ODI series against Australia, starting later this month in the UAE. He was of the view that continuously playing in the international cricket was stressful and could cause injuries.

Pakistani players have been playing continuously since the home series against Australia in the UAE. “Inzamam-ul-Haq-led selection committee did the right thing to rest our important players and give chance to others to show their skills,” he added.

Rashid further said that Pakistan had talent in fast and spin bowling but needed strength in the middle order batting for the World Cup. “And before the World Cup the ODI series against Australia and England, and the ongoing PSL matches will help find the solution to the middle order batting problems,” he said.

He said that by testing more players the committee would be in the ideal position to form a balanced squad for World Cup. Rashid said that the ODI series against Australia would not be easy as they had bundled out the Indian cricket team 3-2 without their captain Steve Smith and David Warner.

He said PSL was one of the most competitive T20 events in the world, alongside the IPL and Big Bash. H said that the government and the PCB should now decide to organise the PSL completely in Pakistan from the next season.