PSL will help Pakistan, like IPL did for India, reckons Misbah

Dubai - Misbah led Islamabad United to the first ever PSL title by defeating the Quetta Gladiators in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan's elder statesman Misbah-ul-Haq said that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will help their players and added the success of the tournament will also see the competition returning to Pakistan in the future.
Misbah led Islamabad United to the first ever PSL title by defeating the Quetta Gladiators in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The tournament gave a host of young players to express themselves on the big stage along with the likes of some top names in world cricket. And Misbah, Pakistan's Test captain, gave India and Bangladesh as examples which has helped improve their cricket.
"From the past three years, all of us who have been playing for Pakistan have always been saying that there has been a big difference, the change that has happened in Indian cricket through the IPL," said Misbah.
"Even in Bangladesh, there has been a change because of the BPL. When you get such an exposure in such a short span for players, even international cricketers, it helps them improve their skills. Playing 10 or 11 games in such pressure situations helps a lot. It has already helped Pakistan cricket and it will continue to do so," he added.
"Already you can see a lot of youngsters coming through and obviously it is good for the experienced players also. You are getting more exposure and chances to enhance your skills and handling the pressure. That's what IPL did for India, BPL did for Bangladesh. I can clearly see that this is going to help Pakistan cricket," explained Misbah.
Misbah, who played the first season of the IPL, also gave another example of Virat Kohli, his teammate at the Royal Challengers Bangalore, then.
"When I was playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli was getting out for low scores. He used to score 15 or 20 and then get out. Now, look what has happened. He now scores a century every other game. He has also become a lot more mature and has completely changed as a player. And that is because he had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid. And that is what we will get to see soon in Pakistan cricket," he said.
The 41-year-old also said that the PSL could possible help cricket to return to Pakistan in the future.
"Definitely," Misbah said.
"This is one way you can build confidence with other players coming from Australia, England, Bangladesh and West Indies. They came and played here with the Pakistan players, they met the Pakistan coaches. That will build confidence and show Pakistan is a safe country to tour. It would be possible for the PCB to bring international cricket back to Pakistan," added Misbah.
james@khaleejtimes.com