Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has credited the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the influx of young talent into the national team in recent months.
The likes of leg-spinner Shadab Khan and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have all made significant strides in international cricket after emerging from the PSL.
The Pakistan batting great believes the PSL has changed the landscape of Pakistan cricket in recent times.
“I believe that the rise of the younger players has a lot to do with the PSL. We always knew that countries with their own T20 leagues such as India, where the players were getting a great opportunity to play alongside top players, were doing well at the international level,” Misbah said in an interview with PakPassion.net.
“On top of that, the gap between normal domestic cricket and the international level was too huge and that problem needed to be addressed properly. Thankfully, with three years of the PSL tournament now under our belts, we can see the difference in the way the Pakistani youngsters are performing in a confident manner and adapting so well at the international level,” the 44-year-old added.
Shadab Khan is one of several youngsters to emerge from the PSL.
While crediting the PSL for the emergence of the youngsters, Misbah also praised head coach Mickey Arthur for taking some hard decisions for the betterment of the team.
“I think Mickey Arthur has done an excellent job in creating a side with so many youngsters settling in well into a team where there is a great emphasis on a culture of discipline and where fitness is an important factor as well. Along the way, he has had to take some hard decisions and looking at the recent results, they are all paying off for the benefit of Pakistan cricket,” Misbah stated.
The former Pakistan skipper scored over 5, 000 runs in 75 Tests appearances for his country before calling time on his international career in 2017. He continues to take part in the PSL and led his side Islamabad United to the title in the 2018 edition.
