Finding Pakistan’s new Kriket Superstar
Four cricket legends have been tasked with unearthing new talent
PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
International cricket greats Andy Roberts, Jonty Rhodes, Damien Martyn and Danny Morrison arrived in Karachi on Thursday with a view to unearth two raw talents in Pakistan as part of the reality sports show Kriket Superstar, which has been launched in association with real estate developers Naya Nazimabad.
Local heroes Abdul Qadir, Jalaluddin and Mohammad Wasim have already shortlisted a group of 24 players — eight each from Lahore, Karachi and Quetta — who will now showcase their talent in front of the four foreign judges during the week-long drills.
At the end of the programme, the aforementioned quartet will select a young batsman and a bowler, who will then be sent for a month to Brisbane, Australia, where former Australian captain Allan Border and opener Matthew Hayden will further polish their talent.
The chosen duo will also be picked up by Quetta Gladiators for the second season of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“Rhodes and I were here last year and had a great time,” recalled Martyn while discussing the programme. “We saw some talent in Pakistan. This initiative will be really helpful for the 24 players as they will get a chance to be seen by us four and many more cricket legends.”
West Indian Roberts, who was back in Pakistan after four decades, had similar sentiments regarding the country’s cricket talent. “When I first visited Pakistan I saw so much raw talent. I am sure that these 24 players will have uniqueness in them and hope that the Pakistan Cricket Board will pay attention to the 22 who will be left behind,” he told The Express Tribune.
Rhodes then talked about the benefits a month-long trip to Australia would have for the winning candidates. “My skills are the result of the facilities I had to practice and some hard work,” said the South African while reminding that those facilities will be available Down Under.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2016.
International cricket greats Andy Roberts, Jonty Rhodes, Damien Martyn and Danny Morrison arrived in Karachi on Thursday with a view to unearth two raw talents in Pakistan as part of the reality sports show Kriket Superstar, which has been launched in association with real estate developers Naya Nazimabad.
Local heroes Abdul Qadir, Jalaluddin and Mohammad Wasim have already shortlisted a group of 24 players — eight each from Lahore, Karachi and Quetta — who will now showcase their talent in front of the four foreign judges during the week-long drills.
At the end of the programme, the aforementioned quartet will select a young batsman and a bowler, who will then be sent for a month to Brisbane, Australia, where former Australian captain Allan Border and opener Matthew Hayden will further polish their talent.
The chosen duo will also be picked up by Quetta Gladiators for the second season of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“Rhodes and I were here last year and had a great time,” recalled Martyn while discussing the programme. “We saw some talent in Pakistan. This initiative will be really helpful for the 24 players as they will get a chance to be seen by us four and many more cricket legends.”
West Indian Roberts, who was back in Pakistan after four decades, had similar sentiments regarding the country’s cricket talent. “When I first visited Pakistan I saw so much raw talent. I am sure that these 24 players will have uniqueness in them and hope that the Pakistan Cricket Board will pay attention to the 22 who will be left behind,” he told The Express Tribune.
Rhodes then talked about the benefits a month-long trip to Australia would have for the winning candidates. “My skills are the result of the facilities I had to practice and some hard work,” said the South African while reminding that those facilities will be available Down Under.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2016.