LAHORE – He is one of the most colourful cricketers ever, he is theheart-throb of the crowds around the world, he is Boom Boom Afridi.The evergreen Shahid Afridi is one of the most-sought-after cricketers inthe HBL PSL as people come to watch him, for his sixes and boundaries andfor his lively style of celebration on getting a wicket, arms-raised-fingers-pointing-towards-the-sky-feet-apart.Arguably, it is one of the most eye-catching sights in modern day cricket,besides his towering sixes and boundaries.The HBL PSL in its fourth year has become a top brand and is placed amongthe top of the leagues around the world, opined Afrid on Tuesday.”I think from the first year in 2016 to the fourth year, the HBL PSL hasbecome our brand and our identity,” said Afridi. “It is our respect.Whatever the talent is there in the Pakistan team, mostly in T-20s andODIs, have been groomed in the PSL,” he said.Afridi rose to fame with a 37-ball hundred in a one-day internationalagainst Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, a world record then, and since hasbecome a crowd favourite around the world. Despite retiring in 2016, Afridihas continued to play in HBL PSL and is a crowd-puller to the core.In a glittering career, Afridi played 27 Tests, 398 one-day internationals(Pakistan record) and 99 Twenty20 internationals and helped Pakistan winthe ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England.Such is his demand that he has played for a record number of teams aroundthe world, including Pakistan, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Australia,Canada and the West Indies.Fresh from guiding Comilla Victorians to the title in the BangladeshPremier League, Afridi is now playing for Multan Sultans after featuringfor Peshawar Zalmi in the first two editions of the HBL PSL and thenrepresenting Karachi Kings in the third.”The leagues around the world are doing that purpose of finding talentedplayers and then polishing their skills,” opined Afridi. “So far, so good,I would say for the HBL PSL and since talent is coming to the fore I cansay that the HBL PSL is successful.”Afridi urged fans to come and watch HBL PSL in big numbers.”I want crowds to come in big numbers and PCB must also chalk out someplans to bring more and more people to the HBL PSL matches,” advisesAfridi. “This is our league so we have to make this successful by coming tothe grounds.”It would be a big support for the league. It’s a big entertainment for thepeople, so I request people to come in big numbers. I am sure matches inKarachi and Lahore will be full-houses and we players enjoy the game whenthe grounds are packed,” he added.Afridi believes some three to four players will shine and make their markfrom HBL PSL 4.”I can see three to four players who can come and break into the nationalteam from this year’s HBL PSL,” said Afridi. “It’s the start so let themshow more skills in tougher matches and before bigger crowds, so I couldsee how they do in that, then only I would be able to tell the names,” saidthe stylish all-rounder.Afridi places HBL PSL among the best. “I think every league has itsstandard but overall when I speak to the players from Bangladesh, Englandand Australia they say that the bowling in the HBL PSL is the best andchallenging. The best part is that they get their payments well on time andthat makes a league successful and respected.”At this age, I wait for the HBL PSL more than any other league.”
Shahid Afridi vows to make PSL best in the World, makes an urge to fans and PCB
