The inaugural edition of the T10 League kicked off yesterday in Sharjah, with many believing that this just might be at least a part of the future of the game. The fact that it’s 90 minutes long could be a major selling point for cricket to be included in world sports events like Olympics.
With numerous Pakistanis participating in the league, here are five that can get the most out of the inaugural season.
5) Fakhar Zaman (Pashtoons)
T10 cricket might just be what Fakhar Zaman needs after a lean spell with the bat since his heroics helped Pakistan win the Champions Trophy. Since then, Fakhar Zaman has strung together an array of low scores in the series against the World XI and Sri Lanka.
Fakhar’s style of batting is already about hitting the ball from the word go, and hence he could have a ball in T10. He made a name for himself in the UAE and that’s where he might be able to regain his form. But it’s a win-win for him: bludgeon his way into form, if not, nothing would be held against him.
4) Imad Wasim (Maratha Arabians)
Not long ago Imad Wasim was considered for the captaincy for at least one of the limited overs Pakistani national sides. He has since fallen down the pecking order, with his place in the starting 11 no longer certain.
While his bowling has remained consistent, even if not extraordinary, it’s the batting which has marred his status as an all-rounder. This is where playing in T10 might work wonders for him.
Since he would be expected to get going immediately, he can muster some form with the bat if he manages to strike a few in the middle early on.
Imad has the potential to be a dependable hitter, he now needs to come to the fore on a more consistent basis.
3) Sarfraz Ahmed (Bengal Tigers)
Similar to Imad Wasim, Sarfraz Ahmed has been out of sorts with the bat. The fact that he has been solid behind the wickets and incredible as a captain has meant that not much focus has been on Sarfraz’s batting.
However, the lower order void in the Pakistani batting lineup remains, with none of the batsmen capable of clearing the boundary with enough ease and/or frequency.
Sarfraz is not a big hitter, but as the undisputed captain of the national side he would have to fit in as a batsman somewhere in the lineup.
He could begin revamping himself with T10 cricket.
2) Abdul Razzaq (Punjabi Legends)
It is since Abdul Razzaq’s retirement that Pakistan have struggled to have both a big-hitter and a finisher at the lower-order.
While Razzaq mightn’t be looking for a comeback to the national side (hopefully), after finally formalising his retirement, but he might be able to squeeze himself into franchise cricket with a strong showing in T10.
If Razzaq manages to pull off a couple of noteworthy innings together and remind the world of the Razzaq of old, he might have more than just a few buyers in the market.
1) Shahid Afridi (Pakhtoons)
Another veteran who took his time formally retiring from international cricket, Shahid Afridi finally decided to completely dedicate himself to franchise cricket last year.
Unlike Razzaq, Afridi is still very much in demand around the world, but in the T10 League he could singlehandedly found the future of cricket.
If T10 had one laboratory prepared cricketer, it would be Afridi. And hence, if he manages to do what the fans and sponsors expect him to do in T10, he might be able to push it towards the ICC headquarters.
