PSL RECORDS

Cricket-lovers-demand-Urdu-commentary-during-PSL-matches

KARACHI: Cricket lovers across the country are disappointed by the fact that there is no Urdu commentary during broadcast of Pakistan Super League matches.

More than 90 percent of Pakistan’s population does not understand English and so is unable to enjoy commentary, which adds to the amusement of viewers, a survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed.

It may be recalled here that the Supreme Court has ordered the government to make Urdu the official language.

Pakistan is a cricket-crazy country and all lovers of the game desperately wanted to see international matches here and were waiting for Pakistan’s first professional cricket league, but they are frustrated because of the English commentary which they are unable to grasp.

Former Test and ODI cricketer Jalaluddin said that people were waiting keenly for PSL and it would be better if arrangements were made for Urdu commentary.

He said the PCB’s good work would spread from one part of the country to the other through commentary in Urdu.

Former first-class cricketer Bharat Kumar said that people were jubilant over the country’s first professional league, but it would have been more enjoyable had there been Urdu commentary.

Bharat said there was still time for PCB as a number of interesting matches were yet to be played. “They should take notice and issued directives for Urdu commentary. It would delight the common citizens,” he said.

Mohibullah, a shop owner in Nazimabad, said that he could not understand the match situation sometimes because of the absence of commentary in Urdu.

He said that Indian channels arranged commentary both in English and Hindi, due to which the engagement of common citizens was higher in their professional league.

Another young man Muhammad Imran said that Urdu commentary must be part of PSL matches because it would attract all citizens. “From the beginning of the matches to the prize distribution ceremony everything is explained but in English which puts tens of millions of Pakistanis at a disadvantage,” Imran said.

A group of government school students in Landhi and Malir appealed to the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan to issue orders for doing Urdu commentary in the remaining matches so that each and every Pakistani might enjoy each and every moment of the league.

- See more at: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/96751-Cricket-lovers-demand-Urdu-commentary-during-PSL-matches#sthash.K8lawM5Z.dpuf

Painful to see no international cricket in Pakistan: Viv Richards

Karachi: West Indian batting great Vivian Richards says he is pained to see international cricket teams not touring Pakistan since the last seven years.

Richards is working as mentor of the Quetta Gladiators team in the Pakistan Super League, which kicked off amid much fanfare in Dubai on Thursday.

"It is painful to see no international cricket being played in Pakistan since 2009. I have been to Pakistan several times and always found it to be a country of passionate cricket fans and lovers," Richards told the Pakistani media in Dubai.

"It is unfortunate that security circumstances are keeping teams away from Pakistan because it is a leading cricket nation and destination," he said.

He said it was nothing less than a tragedy that the security situation had left the Pakistan cricket board in a position where it can't force any team to play in Pakistan.

"It would have been great to have the PSL launch in Pakistan. But the good thing is that finally Pakistan has launched its own league and I don't see any reason it shouldn't succeed," Richards added.

No top Test team has toured Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

Richards admitted he was a great fan of Pakistan cricket because of its ability to produce exceptional raw talent.

"Whenever I toured Pakistan I was always surprised to see the talent they possessed. I see the PSL as the biggest platform for the young players in Pakistan to showcase their talent to the world and also learn a lot after playing with top players of the world," he added.

Richards said he was enjoying his stint with the Quetta Gladiators outfit as it had some exciting players.

In Dubai for the entire period of the PSL, Richards had no doubt that Pakistan could go to the top of the cricket world if the players were groomed and well looked after.

"When I was playing West Indies were at the top of the world but Pakistan, with their aggressive cricket and talent always, posed a big challenge for us," he stated.

COACH FLOWER SAYS PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE CAN HELP YOUNGSTERS

FORMER ZIMBABWE PLAYER CLAIMS THE TWENTY20 LEAGUE CAN HELP BOOST EXPERIENCE OF PAKISTANI PLAYERS.

Former Zimbabwe captain and ex-England coach Andy Flower Sunday says the Pakistan Twenty20 league can benefit the country’s budding players in the same way Indians have benefitted from their league.

The 47-year-old, who is now looking after England’s youth side and is serving as Peshawar team coach in the Pakistan Super League, said: “I think this tournament will be very good for Pakistan’s youngsters in the way the IPL [Indian Premier League] is being very good for Indian cricket.”

“I think there are five excellent sides and we should have brilliant cricket over the next couple of weeks and we have seen skillful performance and there is a lot of talent.”

The PSL have 69 local and 29 foreign players, with high profile names in West Indian Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy, former England batsman Kevin Pieteresen and Australia’s Shane Watson. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to boost the national team—currently eighth in one-day and seventh in Twenty20 rankings—and to groom some young players.

“I think it’s an interesting initiative by PCB and its important for Pakistan cricket and that it is a success. It has started successfully,” said Flower, who played 63 Tests and 213 one-day for Zimbabwe during an illustrious career. “The PSL is absolutely a launching pad for Pakistan youngsters, some of the benefits they get by mixing with overseas players and gain from their experience and they also get confidence by sharing the same nets and dressing room,” said Flower.

He singled out Peshawar’s left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar as a player for the future. “The very good example is Asghar and his performance will do him a world of good,” said Flower of the spinner who has taken five wickets for just 31 runs in eight overs in his team’s two wins.

“The other factor is that the league might take away some of the myths of some of the international cricketers and allow the youngsters to understand that they are also human beings like them who are good at playing cricket and that can grow their confidence,” said Flower.

The ongoing PSL ends on Feb. 23.

Pakistan super league 8TH MATCH REPORT: LAHORE QALANDARS VS QUETTA GLADIATORS

Umar Akmal plays a breath taking innings as Gladiators taste defeat for the first time

The struggling Lahore Qalandars team, yet to register their first win, took on the unbeaten Quetta Gladiators who had brushed aside every other team in the league through some great performances. Mohammad Nawaz has been a revelation with the ball, while Luke Wright, Kevin Pietersen and Ahmad Shehzad have all contributed with the bat. The Gladiators had also been really fortunate with the toss in the entire tournament so far. Their luck continued as they won the toss and chose to field once again. Chris Gayle was rested by Lahore and Cameron Delport came on to open the innings instead, along with skipper Azhar Ali. Qalandars had never made it through the first over without losing a wicket in their previous matches, but Azhar Ali had different ideas this time around as he came down the ground and dispatched Anwar Ali for a six in the first over. Delport started hitting boundaries soon after and both batsmen looked to be in great form. The way Delport targeted Nawaz, the highest wicket taker of the tournament so far, was especially impressive, as he played some innovative strokes and was never afraid to come down the track to ensure his dominance.

Azhar Ali departed in the 10th over off Umar Gul as the opening pair put 62 runs on the board. Umar Akmal came out next, as the platform was set for Qalandars to finally get a big score. Delport continued to get under the bowlers’ skin with some fine hitting as he raced to his half century in only 42 deliveries, while Akmal also joined in on the party and took Umar Gul to the cleaners as he dealt only in boundaries. Qalandars kept accelerating their run rate as the innings progressed, and there was no stopping Umar Akmal as he raced to his 50 in only 22 balls. Both these batsmen were absolutely bossing the Gladiators as Qalandars were easily set for the highest total of the tournament so far. The pair broke the record for the highest partnership of the HBL PSL as they added 95 runs from only 43 balls, before Delport was caught leg before off Zulfiqar Babar in the 17th over. Umar Akmal went ballistic however, as he played the innings of the tournament which included ferocious shots all over the park. We had never seen him bat like this before, as he blasted a breath taking 93 from 40 balls! Qalandars had set a mammoth total of 195/3 in their 20 overs, which was never going to be easy for any side to chase down.

Luke Wright and Ahmad Shehzad opened the innings for Quetta Gladiators. Needing nearly 10 runs per over, it was always going to be a daunting task. Luke Wright got lucky early on in the innings, as Zafar Gohar almost held a catch off his own bowling but fumbled it as he looked to celebrate a little too early! Shehzad hit Kevon Cooper for consecutive boundaries in the 3rd over, before dragging the ball onto his stumps on the very next delivery. Wright was dismissed three balls later off Gohar, as he was caught at deep mid wicket by Cooper. At 27/2 after 4 overs, Gladiators were already in dire straits. Pietersen hit a few big shots and there was still some hope for the Gladiators as long as he was out there, but his stay on the crease was short lived as he was also sent packing by Dwayne Bravo. The match seemed to be a foregone conclusion only 6 overs into Quetta’s innings, with three of their best batsmen already in the pavilion, while chasing a monumental total.

Quetta’s skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, along with Mohammad Nawaz on the crease, tried to get a partnership going and played a few shots as the required rate climbed to 12 runs per over. Nawaz targeted Hammad Azam and put him away for 20 runs in the 10th over as the Gladiators began to pick up some momentum. With nine overs remaining Quetta needed 98 runs with seven wickets in hand. Sarfraz and Nawaz turned the crowd on its head with some beautiful stroke play and we suddenly had a match on our hands. Zohaib Khan put the Qalandars back in control as he claimed the much coveted wicket of Sarfraz in the 13th over. Mendis got rid of Nawaz soon after and Qalandars had their first victory in the bag. It was smooth sailing from then on for Lahore, as Quetta’s tail end collapsed and they were all out for 131, with Zafar Gohar picking up 4 wickets for 14. Qalandars sealed a comprehensive win against the best team of the tournament so far, with Umar Akmal playing an unforgettable innings which will be remembered for a long time.