Imran Tahir hails quality of PSL, Pakistani youngsters

South African leg-spinner believes tournament has unearthed great talent for the national side

South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has hailed the impact of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Pakistan cricket, stating that it has the potential to groom Pakistani youngsters who already have the potential to become world-class talents.

“A league such as the PSL is crucial for any country and especially for Pakistan as it allows their youngsters an opportunity to improve their skills,” said Tahir in an interview with PakPassion. “They get a chance of playing alongside international cricket stars and if they can perform well in the PSL, then the doors for selection for international cricket can also open for them. What the PSL provides now is a systematic and proper way for young talent to be judged and then to be given a chance to represent Pakistan.”

The Lahore-born spinner believes Pakistan have a whole host of youngsters who have the potential to reach the cusp of greatness.

“There are quite a few youngsters in the PSL who have the potential to become world-class players later on in their careers,” he said. “The PSL is an arena and the perfect place for them to become even better players. When they play against the world’s best players, then they will gain a lot of experience. That knowledge, in turn, will probably make the transition to international cricket easier for them at a later time.”

‘Moody, Akram great to work with’

Multan Sultans disappointed in their opening PSL campaign as they failed to finish in the top four despite being atop the league at the halfway mark.

Tahir, however, was quick to praise the two minds in the dugout — Tom Moody and Wasim Akram.

“It's an absolute pleasure working with such big names of international cricket,” he said. “When I was a youngster, it was my wish to meet a legend like Wasim Akram. Whilst I have met him before in recent times, to be able to work with him is a dream come true. Both Wasim and Moody are great to work with. What I really appreciate is the manner in which they welcomed me into the team and the respect that they have shown me.”

‘PSL is incredibly tough’

Tahir lit up the PSL in his debut season, claiming the first hat-trick by a spinner in the league as well as bamboozling some of the best players of spin around. However, the 38-year-old feels the tournament is one of the toughest around.

“This is the first time I am playing in the PSL and I feel that the standard of this tournament is outstanding, which is why it is not that easy to perform well in this league due to the quality of competition,” he said.

So impressed is Tahir by the league that he sees little room for improvement. “I have absolutely no complaints about the quality of arrangement for this tournament,” he said. “From what I see, this is an excellent tournament with great facilities and grounds which are of a high standard.”