Qalandars’ talent hunt is exciting, says Elliot

All-rounder believes franchise is providing youngsters with opportunity to shine

KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars’ Jazz Rising Stars program to find young cricketers from the country saw the arrival of two special guests — Danny Morrison and Grant Elliot — for the Pool B between Layyah Rising Stars and Bahawalpur Rising Stars at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Before the match, Elliot, while talking to the media, praised the initiative taken by the Qalandars.

“Lahore have a fantastic vision,” he said. “As I have said before, I have never seen an initiative like this before. “It’s like ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, where the whole country can go. To me it is one of the greatest initiatives I’ve been involved in.”

Elliot mentioned the ambidextrous bowler Yasir Jan as an example of the kind of raw talent that this program is and will unearth. “Who’d have thought you would have found Yasir Jan, someone who bowls with two arms,” he said. “Maybe, next year we’ll find a batsman who can bat both left and right-handed.”

The all-rounder further added that such opportunities help youngsters realise their dreams.

“T20 is innovative, it’s exciting, this initiative is exciting, and I think this encompasses everything that the Qalandars stand for, giving opportunity to people, giving them a transparent pathway to reach their dreams: playing for Qalandars, playing against Australia, playing against an international team,” Elliot said.

Also, he believes that even the players who don’t get selected in the final team, can at least take this experience and learn from it. “Some of them may not be able to make it to the top, but this experience will help them become successful in whatever they do in their lives.”

Fascinating to visit Lahore: Morrison

Morrison, one the most exciting commentators of the PSL, was nostalgic on arrival to Lahore.

“First I’d like to say that it is an honour to be back here,” he told the reporters. “Some of you would realise that I played against Aqib [Javed] and have toured here in 1990. I have always found it fascinating to be in this part of the world.”

He continued: “Coming to this part of the world and seeing some of the initiatives being developed by the Qalandars, it is very exciting, no doubt.”

Morrison, once a fast-bowler for New Zealand, said he was passionate about coaching youngsters.

“Having been involved with youngsters and running cricket academies back in New Zealand, coaching a little bit in Australia where I live now, I’ve always enjoyed the relationship of coaching and helping youngsters. You have to be passionate about passing on some of your experience to get a kick out of seeing this younger generation get an opportunity,” he said.

The 51-year-old said giving an opportunity to youngsters to do what they love is great. “To get an opportunity to do something that they are excited about and want to live and breathe and do is just great.”

He concluded by saying that he is happy to contribute as much as he can to help the game of cricket in Pakistan. “I am very honoured to be back and just grateful to be able to help and give back and try and stir up some more excitement and initiative that is part of this beautiful game.”