Summary
Pakistan have finally got their very own Twenty20 league in the mould of the internationally-acclaimed Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. Despite several failed attempts to launch the tournament in the past, the Pakistan Cricket Board finally announced the launch of the new competition in September 2015. The matches will still not be played in Pakistan, however, as the country are still not able to host international cricket because of a terrorist attack back in 2009 on the Sri Lankan team bus. Domestic cricket is allowed to be played in Pakistan, but the hosting of such a high-quality tournament with a huge amount of international stars on show remains somewhat of a pipe dream at this moment in time.
Who are the teams?
Islamabad United
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| Shane Watson, fresh from smashing 124 against India in the 3rd t20 for Australia in their recent series, will be looking to live up to his billing as Islamabad's marquee player (PHOTO: Matt King) |
Led by the evergreen Misbah ul-Haq, Islamabad boast several experienced heads within their setup.
Pacers Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami will provide quality at both ends of an innings, with Sami capable of producing yorkers and slower balls at the death to help keep the inevitable flow of runs at the end of an innings to a relative minimum. Irfan's incredible height can pose problems for batsmen with the new ball, with the left-armer able to generate steepling bounce from his 7ft 1in frame.
United also have Babar Azam in their squad, with the batsman performing well in the recent One Day series against New Zealand, scoring 62 and 83 in the two games he played.
In terms of overseas players, Islamabad have the all-round expertise of Shane Watson and Andre Russell, with both players able to change the course of a game in a matter of deliveries. Watson will be coming into the PSL on the back of crashing the second highest individual score in an international t20 game, scoring 124 not out against India. Russell is fast becoming one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket due to his penchant for clearing the ropes with frightening regularity.
Karachi Kings
Another strong-looking bowling setup will be headed by the controversial figure of Mohammad Amir, with the 23-year-old left-armer coming back to the fore for his country following his five-year suspension for match fixing.
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| Mohammad Amir has performed well on his comeback to international cricket and he will be placed under further scrutiny during the PSL this February (PHOTO: Hannah Peters) |
Amir performed with aplomb at the Bangladesh Premier League for the Chittagong VIkings in November, before earning a return to the national team in recent months.
Amir is joined in attack by fellow Pakistan internationals Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Imad Wasim and Iftikhar Ahmed.
Batting all-rounders Ravi Bopara, Bilawal Bhatti, Shakib Al-Hasan and captain Shoaib Malik provide further depth to an already-strong attack. Those four will provide the Kings with significant batting strength, along with West Indian opener Lendl Simmons, England international James Vince and the brilliant Bangladeshi keeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
Lahore Qalanders
The Qalanders appeared to have an exciting look to their squad following the draft, but they have since seen their bowling attack depleted significantly.
Yasir Shah is currently banned for failing a drugs test after having a sample taken following Pakistan's ODI against England in November.
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| Will the incredible Chris Gayle come close to his unbelievable 12-ball fifty he scored in the BBL for the Qalanders? (PHOTO: Graham Denholm) |
Another big part of the Lahore bowling attack was young Bangladeshi left-armer Mustafizur Rahman but he is also set to miss the tournament after a late withdrawal following a shoulder injury.
This leaves West Indian all rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kevon Cooper as the significant bowling options for the Qalanders.
Despite the now-seeming lack of depth to the bowling attack, the sheer strength of the batting lineup could well see Lahore compete for the inaugral tournament. Chris Gayle is the star name in the lineup, with Bravo and Cooper able to provide similar Caribbean flair throughout the innings.
Further to the West Indian trio, the Qalanders also boast captain Azhar Ali, talented batsman Umar Akmal, South African import Cameron Delport and Pakistan international duo Sohaib Maqsood and Mohammad Rizwan.
Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar are led by the mercurial Shahid Afridi, with the enigmatic all-rounder seen as a key cog in their side as they swapped a pick in the draft to ensure they got their man.
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| Shahid Afridi was the first ever pick for the PSL - can he repay the faith shown in him by Peshawar? (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
Afridi's extraordinary batting talent and aggressive style will be supplemented by Pakistan internationals Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal, while Hafeez will be joined at the top of the order by the swashbuckling Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal.
There are two English players in the Zalmi squad, with Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan joined by England international Chris Jordan. Renowned t20 all-rounder Darren Sammy will be able to provide a wealth of experience and quality in the shortest format in both batting and bowling.
A strong-looklng bowling attack will be based around Pakistan international pace bowlers Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan jnr. Former Pakistan international Abdur Rehman is also in the squad to offer an option in the spin-bowling department. Further additions to the pace and spin bowling sector for Peshawar include Australian pair Shaun Tait and all-rounder Jim Allenby.
Quetta Gladiators
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| Pietersen was the third top scorer for the fifth edition of the BBL as his Stars side came runners-up - can he inspire the Gladiators to glory? (PHOTO: Robert Prezioso) |
The Gladiators are able to call upon a quality home-based group of players, led by international wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Also in their ranks are inconsistent opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad, fast bowler Anwar Ali, left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, international batsman Asad Shafiq and yorker specialist Umar Gul.
Quetta are not lacking in the overseas department either, with Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright included as they look to continue their successful partnership after featuring together recently for BBL franchise Melbourne Stars.
Both Pietersen and Wright enjoyed successful campaigns for the Stars as the Melbourne-based outfit made their way to the Final, only to lose to the Sydney Thunder.
4 players to watch
1) Sam Billings (Islamabad United)
The Kent wicketkeeper-batsman has an abundance of ability, with glimpses of that being shown on the international stage with England.
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| Billings has already showcased his talent in the UAE - can he do it again for Islamabad? (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
Despite arguably being third in the pecking order for England in terms of 'keepers, Billings is still good enough with the bat to warrant a place in the national side as a specialist batsman.
Billings will be hoping to enhance his international reputation and secure a place in England's squad for the upcoming World t20 in India with some explosive performances for Islamabad.
The 24-year-old is still a relevant novice at international level, with ten games for England spread evenly over ODIs and t20Is.
He comes into the PSL in good form, having struck 89 against Pakistan A for the England Lions in the fifth and final 50 over game in Dubai. In those five games, Billings struck an impressive 220 runs at an average of 55 - good news considering the runs were made in one of the cities hosting the PSL.
2) James Vince (Karachi Kings)
There are several similarities between Vince and Billings, including their respective talent, form in the UAE and lack of international experience.
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| James Vince won Man of the Series in his debut outing for England against Pakistan in the UAE - can he produce similar performances for the Kings? (PHOTO: Neville Hopwood) |
Vince excelled in England's t20 series against Pakistan in November, scoring 125 runs in three innings, playing different roles for the differing situations that England found themselves in to near-perfection.
He has also, like Billings, been in fine form for the England Lions in their recent series against Pakistan A. Vince scored 236 runs in five innings at an average of 47.2, including a fine 102 in the third game between the two sides.
The Hampshire batsman will hope his experience and success of playing in the UAE will serve him well for the PSL and he can continue to launch his claims for a place not only in England's squad for the World t20, but a starting spot at the top of the order.
3) Cameron Delport (Lahore Qalanders)
Despite good quality numbers across the three formats, in particular t20, the 26-year-old South African has still yet to recieve an international call-up.
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| Cameron Delport has played t20 cricket all around the world - can he conquer the PSL? (PHOTO: Brendon Thorne) |
He has performed well for the Dolphins and KwaZulu-Natal in his homeland, as well as enjoying a successful campaign in the 2015 Caribbean Premier League with Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and Sydney Thunder in BBL 4.
Delport has a t20 hundred to his name, striking an unbeaten 103 for the Dolphins in 2013. The left-hander will be hoping to make an impact in a star-studded Qalanders batting lineup to help his case for a call-up to the South African squad for the World t20 in March.
He has shown he has the quality, but Delport will need to continue to show his talent and complement messrs Gayle, Bravo and Umar Akmal if he is to rub shoulders with AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis out in the middle in India next month.
4) Mohammad Nabi (Quetta Gladiators)
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| Mohammad Nabi is regarded as one of the best Associate players in the world - can he make an even bigger name for himself in the inaugral PSL? (PHOTO: Mark Kolbe) |
With a World t20 coming up, Nabi and his Afghanistan team will be looking to continue to improve in the format.
The 30-year-old all-rounder is one of the key components of an ever-improving Afghan side and boasts plenty of international experience.
Nabi recently turned out for the Rangpur Riders in the BPL and he will be looking to continue to gain international exposure with another solid tournament, this time for the Gladiators.
Conclusion
There are five seemingly evenly-matched teams in the PSL ahead of its inaugral season.
The Lahore Qalanders arguably boast the strongest batting lineup, with Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo providing the Caribbean flair to be joined with the Pakistan internationals Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood and Mohammad Rizwan - not to mention South African Delport.
The Karachi Kings also look strong on the batting front, including the likes of captain and Pakistani stalwart Shoaib Malik along with the foreign quintet of Shakib, Bopara, Mushfiqur, Vince and Lendl Simmons. The Kings also lay claim to a strong-looking bowling attack, with five Pakistan international seamers to be complimented with the bowling of the aforementioned Malik, Shakib and Bopara.
In terms of strength of bowling, Peshawar Zalmi look very well-balanced and dangerous. Afridi will lead the attack from the front and will be ably assisted by the aggressive Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Shaun Tait and Chris Jordan, as well as the slower options of Darren Sammy, Allenby and even Abdur Rehman.
All in all, I'm looking at the Karachi Kings to emerge victorious, owing to their sheer balance within their potential lineup with batting and bowling both looking equally as strong as each other. I would have tipped the Lahore Qalanders for glory, but with them missing such bowling quality as they are in Yasir Shah and Mustafizur Rahman, I think they will rely too heavily on Bravo and Cooper and end up short.
My Tip
Karachi Kings.
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