PSL: A cricket dream that came true

You can argue whether Islamabad United were worthy winners of the competition based on their overall performance, the format of Pakistan Super League (PSL) or your personal affinities but there is no denying that (PSL) has been undeniably a resounding success. All the ‘cricket analysts’ claiming PSL was a failure before it even started must be eating a lot of humble pie right now.



It also proved that claims by the older players that there was not enough younger talent coming through were false. About time some of them consider retirement!



The best in my opinion being Mohammad Nawaz.

So much so that Imran Khan even softened his stance on Nawazs in general.

Also Sharjeel Khan should definitely be in our T20 World Cup squad. Look at the amount of chances Ahmad Shahzad received to prove himself in T20s and look at Sharjeel Khan’s records. Ahmad Shahzad has finally been dropped in T20s, Sharjeel Khan should now get a run.



There was so much young talent on display that Ramiz Raja struggled to remember all of their names.

There was something gratifying as a Pakistani to watch Misbahul Haq play the last shot of the competition and pick up the winning trophy. Despite Pakistan experimenting with different captains in every format, for most fans Misbahul Haq is still the man they think of when they think of Pakistan cricket team captain. The entire generation of cricket fans will remember the 2007 T20 World Cup final where Misbah was one shot away from winning the competition for the nation. He may have exorcised some of his demons from that match, and it was an apt response to all of his criticisers.

At the end of the day, despite the internet making a million jokes about their bed time, Islamabadis celebrated as their team triumphed.

Not sure how many of them stayed up till 1:30 am on a Tuesday night to watch the match though.

The inclusion of Azhar Mahmood could also not stop them from winning.

The only solace for Karachites after their team capitulating was at least Steve Harvey would have announced them as the winners of the match.



The only shining light for Karachi Kings was Ravi Bopara, not to brag but I called it.

And for the sake of the Pakistan international cricket team there are far fewer players calling for the exclusion of Mohammad Aamir; definitely a better option than T20s than the helicopter bowler, Sohail Tanvir.



For Lahore Qalandars, their owner, Fawad Rana got more attention than his team.

Their team just did not click. Despite featuring a number of stars, they had very little team spirit. It also shows that Azhar Ali has a lot still to learn as captain. It was hilarious to see international cricketers laugh at our batsmen running between the wickets.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Kevin Pieterson's partnerships were particularly funny but all in good fun as it was heartening to see one of the best batsmen ever playing for Quetta!



And nothing better summarises Pakistan's fascination with Quetta than this post by Hasan Saeed.



But Islamabad did not give them any leeway.

People like me who were supporting Quetta Gladiators took whatever little solace they could find.

Quetta may have won everyone’s hearts but Pakistan’s favourite team was the Peshawar Zalmi. Captained by the nation’s and Ahmed Shahzad’s heart throb and the winner of the local T20 competition, Peshawar entered the tournament as clear favourites. Unfortunately, despite entertaining and dazzling audiences, they could not get the job done; much like every innings by their captain. Scientists will need to come up with a new term to describe the ultra-short amount of time Afridi ends up at the crease leaving the nation chanting,

“Afridi agaya, Afridi chala gaya”

(Afridi came, Afridi went.)

(Also all of social media)



In fact, the only failure of PSL was the advertisements.

I particularly hate Allied Bank for making me hate a child.

Not sure what is worse, the boom boom bubble gum ads or this joke.



There may be some controversy created in the future.



But for now we can all enjoy the entire nation coming together under the banner of PSL. It would be unfair to label the tournament anything but a resounding success! From Aizaz Cheema’s last over to Sir Viv Richards running on to the pitch to Wasim Akram picking up the trophy to Kumar Sangakara and Kevin Pieterson playing for Quetta to listening to Sarfaraz Ahmad speak at 500 words a second to Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Irfan’s fast bowling spells to seeing Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi hit the ball out of the park together, PSL has been a dream come true for cricket fans in Pakistan.

PSL: Where the bowling is the best, and the fielding is optional. See you next year. Hopefully back home!