The eagerly-anticipated UAE-based Twenty20 tournament kicks-off at Dubai Cricket Stadium tonight with a star-studded opening ceremony before Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators go head-to-head.
Akram’s influence in the PSL is strong with the legendary left-armer acting as Islamabad’s team director and he feels the league will capture the imagination of the Pakistani public given the troubles the cricketing nation have faced in recent years.
“It’s a win-win situation for Pakistan cricket and Pakistani cricketers,” Akram, who claimed 414 wickets in 104 Test matches, told Sport360 exclusively at the launch of his cricket news app in Dubai.
“It’s twenty days of high-octane entertainment and it’s not just me and the cricketers who are excited, the whole country is behind it. This is our league to make it a success. Today is a big, big day for Pakistan Cricket.”
With the likes of Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Shane Watson all featuring this month, the former fast bowler believes it is a prime opportunity for Pakistan’s young stars to soak up their experience and study their professionalism.
“It will definitely give a boost of confidence for youngsters in Pakistan, rubbing shoulders with the greats of the modern game.
“The players will spend time with these guys 24-7 and they will get to know their drills, get to know their mindsets, get to know their techniques. They have a lot to gain from being around them.”
It is expected people will travel from Pakistan to Dubai for tonight’s opening proceedings and throughout the tournament, which also features fixtures in Sharjah and concludes on February 23.
And Akram is aware that if the PSL goes down as a major success, it could open the door to the competition taking place in Pakistan in 2017.
“The PSL will help Pakistan Cricket, it has been struggling because we don’t play enough international cricket and the fact we have to play in the UAE, which is for the right reasons over security.
“Players are not comfortable playing in Pakistan because of the issues and you cannot blame them. But let’s start from here, with the PSL, hopefully people will come out and watch.”
The 49-year-old added: “If things are better in Pakistan next year, this tournament will go to Pakistan and then it will be unbelievable, every game will be packed.
“Each youngster will be able to see his hero play in front of him – like I did when I was young – watching the likes of Sir Viv Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, Allan Border, Sir Ian Botham – everyone I saw at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“That’s what the Pakistani youth are missing out on now, not seeing their heroes right in front of their eyes.”
