SHARJAH: Perhaps the biggest catch in the history of the HBL Pakistan Super League was by Quetta Gladiators who brought West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards as their mentor.

When the master blaster of the past sits in the dug-out of the Gladiators, the players get induced to fight till the last ball, a trait the Antiguan legend had in him to the core.Richards believes the fight Pakistan cricket has had to do since international cricket was suspended at home in 2009, will get over with more and more matches in the country and before the cricket-mad people.

Richards feels there is no substitute of playing before the people of one’s country.

“What I think is quite encouraging is that I saw the West Indies women’s team toured Pakistan,” said Richards of the West Indies’ Eves touring Karachi last month for a three T20 series against Pakistan women.

“Before that, the West Indies men’s team came [in March last year]. Some of the PSL matches were taken to Pakistan and, to me, that had more volume and the more I think that’s done, the better. I think it would be for Pakistan cricket.”

Since March 2009, Pakistan have hosted Zimbabwe, an ICC World XI, Sri Lanka and the West Indies (men’s and women’s teams). The final of the PSL in March 2017 was played in Lahore, while three matches were held in 2018, including the final in Karachi. In the fourth edition, eight matches are scheduled for Pakistan.

The ex-West Indies captain reckons is one of the top leagues for its ability to throw more and more talented players every year.

“To be honest, no one wants to be playing in exile all their lives,” said Richards referring to Pakistan playing at the neutral venues of the UAE.

“Every team wants to be playing in front of their home fans and getting the support from the home crowds and that, to me, is always essential.”

“It’s been great,” remarked Richards, who played 121 Tests and 187 One-day Internationals during his glorious career including two World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979. “To me it [PSL] is one of the most important T20 tournaments that is played and why I say this is that the players that come to play in this tournament are some of the best players in my opinion and that makes it one of the biggest events.”

He praised the fast bowling talent that comes to the fore from every edition of the PSL since its inception in 2016. “Ever since my arrival here, I have seen the potential in terms of, not just basically the magnificent batsmen that the PSLs have produced, but what I know for sure, especially in the fast bowling department.

“Some of the fast bowlers could be loaned out to many teams around the world and that makes the PSL and good tournament, a talent producing factory.

“There are so many young individuals but I could only speak for the young players who are from the Gladiators. Mohammad Nawaz is one. Then Hassaan Khan, I like his energy and especially when he hit the winning runs in one of the matches last year. This tournament is particularly good in finding some of these young talented players and that serves the purpose of a league.”

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2019