LAHORE – India’s players may not be part of Twenty 20 leagues around theworld, but there are a lucky few who are of the Indian origin and playingin the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League.
Samit Rohit Patel was one of them. Patel, though born in Leicester, hasroots in India and takes pride in being part of HBL PSL.
The 34-year-old has been representing two-time champions Islamabad Unitedon a regular basis, said the information made available here on Monday bythe Pakistan Cricket Board.
Patel said “he enjoys HBL PSL, more so being an Indian-Englishman.As anIndian visiting Pakistan has been great”.”The experience of playing inKarachi was amazing and you can just see the love for cricket in Pakistan”.
“I had heard lots of amazing things about Pakistan, especially Lahore,which I have not been to as yet.People are very hospitable and caring.
Having an Indian background and coming here has definitely changed mymindset”, he said.Patel, who played six Tests, 36 ODIs and 18 T20Is, places HBL PSL among thetop leagues in the world.
“I place the PSL very highly, especially the standard of bowling is verygood in one of the best competitions in the world”, said Patel, who lastplayed for England in 2015. Since then, he is a regular at England countrycircuit.
Leagues,like HBL PSL,keep him going.”The leagues have kept me going becauseI love cricket and also meeting so many great players”, said Patel, wholoves the Islamabad United camp.
“Islamabad United have been great to me, like a family and are one of thebest franchises in the world. We all play cricket to win and playing for afranchise that loves to win is the ultimate. I love being part of IslamabadUnited”, he added.
Patel was one of the stars of Islamabad’s win over Peshawar Zalmi in thefinal in Karachi last year, taking two wickets and scoring 10 crucial runs.This year, Islamabad qualified for the play-offs with a convincing 49-runwin over Lahore Qalandars in Karachi on Saturday.