KARACHI: The mentorship of Sir Vivian Richards was the key factor in the success of Quetta Gladiators in the inaugural edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), team owner Nadeem Omar said on Thursday.

“Richards’ extraordinary involvement with the players and that of coach Moin Khan motivated and boosted the players to excel on the field during the PSL,” Nadeem said upon his return from Dubai.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s Quetta Gladiators lost to Misbah-ul-Haq’s Islamabad United in the final after winning both their league matches against them. “Viv and Moin generated and created a great environment in the dressing room which lifted the team to new heights,” Nadeem remarked.

He said the PSL proved an instant success and it surprised the cricketing nations across the globe. “In my opinion, the PSL proved better than the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its first season,” he remarked.

Nadeem also praised an outstanding role of Kevin Pietersen in inspiring the players. He said all the foreign players including Kumar Sangakkara, Luke Wright were impressed with the environment of their team. “Our Quetta Gladiators team gelled quickly and that lifted their confidence from the outset,” he said.

He declared all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz as the find of the decade with a great future.

“Nawaz will be an asset for Pakistan cricket in coming years,” he observed.

He expressed the confidence and hope that the players who had impressed in the PSL would do well in the Asia Cup and the ICC World T20.

He also complimented the Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri for taking keen interest in the success of Quetta Gladiators.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2016