SHARJAH: Star all-rounder and Karachi Kings player Shoaib Malik has said he is trying to convince international cricketers playing in his team to play the league’s final in Lahore.

“I don’t take security at home. I have informed the players here that my wife is an Indian national and even she doesn’t take security whenever she visits Pakistan,” the right-handed batsman said.

When questioned where PSL stands compared to other international T20 leagues, Malik said, “Though I don’t think it’s fair to compare leagues, I think going by the standard of cricket after Big Bash, PSL takes the stand. And by God’s grace it’s getting better day by day.”

He predicted that the PSL would get huge in coming days but immediately added that there was also a big responsibility on players, media and the people of Pakistan.

On the question of noticeable performances by young emerging players in the league, the former national team captain said that the emerging players featuring in the tournament hold massive talent, however, he has always told them that a player cannot merely survive on his talent; he has to keep improving.

“If you have physical fitness your performance will be consistent,” he said, adding that he has urged the youngsters to display their best performances in PSL and show their calibre.

On the performance of his team, Malik expressed his satisfaction saying that Karachi Kings’ performance this season is comparatively better.

“But it is still not quite up to the mark,” the all-rounder noted.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2017