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The future is bright for PSL - Shaun Tait

by Manuj Sharma Thursday 11 February 2016

Shaun Tait has picked four wickets from the three PSL games at an economy of 7.08.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait, who is currently playing for the Peshawar Zalmi team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) feels that the tournament has a bright future in the upcoming years.

The inaugural edition of the PSL is currently underway in the United Arab Emirates with five teams representing Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta battling it out for the title.

Citing the example of the Big Bash League in Australia, Tait reckons that the PSL can get better with each passing season.

“Well, I don’t know about what the future holds for anything but from what I have seen so far PSL has a bright future ahead of it,” said Tait in an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net.

“All the tournaments I have played and have been part of, usually grow and get better with every passing year.

“If you take the example of the Big Bash, it’s been five or six years in the running now and it seems to get better every year.

“I see no reason why this will not be the case for the PSL as well and the PSL can get bigger and better each year.”

The PSL has managed to attract international Twenty20 stars like Shane Watson, Kevin Pietersen Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo whereas it also provides a great platform for the young Pakistan cricketers to showcase their talents.

The tournament has recently completed its first phase in Dubai and has moved on to the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium for its second phase which is currently underway.

Tait termed his experience with the youngsters in the Peshawar Zalmi squad as “absolutely brilliant” and is impressed by their desire to learn the nuances of the game.

“It's been absolutely brilliant.

“They ask me a lot of questions and are always interested in my views on fast-bowling and I do enjoy sharing my experience in cricket with these guys.

“I am very impressed by the hunger to learn shown by the younger players in the Zalmi squad and I am getting along very well with them.”

Peshawar Zalmi started their PSL campaign with a win against Islamabad United and followed it up with another victory against Lahore Qalandars but suffered a defeat in their third game against Quetta Gladiators.

With two wins from three games, Peshawar Zalmi are currently placed second in the points table and have a net run rate of +0.806.

Stating that Peshawar Zalmi have a formidable bowling line up, Tait is confident that the team have the right combination to go all the way in the inaugural edition of the PSL.

“We started off well but had a hiccup against Quetta, but all in all we have a great atmosphere in the team.

“Above all, we have a great bowling attack in this team and I always believe that a good bowling line-up will win you T20 games.

“I can safely say that we have one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament.

“In Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz, we have two very internationally experienced world-class bowlers who bowl at a brisk pace.

“We then mix that up with the spin of Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Asghar, who complement the attack really nicely.

“With Wahab and Junaid as left-arm bowlers and myself bringing in right-arm pace this is a very good combination without doubt.”

Peshawar Zalmi will look to bounce back from their defeat against Quetta Gladiators when they take on Karachi Kings on the 11th of February at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.