With a historic finale at Karachi, the third edition of the Pakistan Super League 3 (PSL) came to an extravagant end.
Just like the first two editions, the league has given Pakistani cricket a pool of youngsters and a rise in the frequency of international cricket in the country, with numeral gains both on and off the field.
Here are 30 takeaways from the Pakistan Super League 3:
- Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi have established themselves as the top two franchises in the league, having shared all three of the titles between them.
- They are closely followed by Quetta Gladiators who have made two runner-up finishes in three seasons.
- The Gladiators and Zalmi’s share the biggest rivalry of the league so far, having contested a staggering third consecutive playoff match this season that was decided by one run.
- The Gladiators have suffered the most at the hands of foreign players who opted out of touring Pakistan, which should mean that any player not willing to come to the country should not be drafted in the league, to begin with.
- Leading the national side in all three formats, the Gladiators is perhaps captaincy overkill for Sarfraz Ahmed.
- Darren Sammy is and will remain for quite some time, the most popular foreign cricketer – if not individual – in Pakistan.
- Misbah-ul-Haq might’ve played his final PSL, but considering the successes that he has masterminded for Islamabad United, it won’t be surprising at all if they retain him in a coaching role.
- Despite having an all-star cast and a captaincy turnaround – like musical chairs – Karachi Kings remain a bunch of individuals and not a team. Imad Wasim did not quite prove himself as captaincy material – neither did Mohammed Amir, of course.
- Lahore Qalandars need a complete overhaul after finishing at the bottom of the pile for the third straight year. However, Fawad Rana might be advised to plan a revamp with Brendon McCullum remaining at the helm.
- Regardless of how Qalandars fare, Fawad Rana will always be the fans’ favourite franchise owner.
- Multan Sultans missing out on the playoffs despite being top early on shows that it isn’t easy for new teams to cement themselves immediately, which is a lesson for other franchises to come as the league expands.
- While the safety-first approach was understandable in the first season, the Sultans should look to bring in more youngsters in the coming PSL seasons.
- Islamabad United are not only the most successful franchise in the PSL, they are also the team to promote the most youngsters having brought forward the likes of Asif Ali, Hussain Talat and Sahibzada Farhan this season.
- United have cracked the T20 code by stuffing the squad with young, talented all-rounders and a calm mind pulling the strings.
- Luke Ronchi is an absolute rock star with the bat in his hand.
- Even without Shahid Afridi, Peshawar Zalmi remains the most supported franchise in the league.
- Afridi does not have much cricket left in him.
- Kamran Akmal the wicket-keeper has been and remains the biggest stumbling block in the career of Kamran Akmal the batsman.
- Umar Akmal the batsman has been and remains the biggest stumbling block in the career of Umar Akmal the batsman.
- Alan Wilkins should join Darren Sammy in getting honorary citizenship of Pakistan.
- There is a potential left-arm fast bowler in every other household of the country.
- The quality of bowling in the PSL tops any other league in the world.
- PSL’s fielding standards have been astoundingly high as well and are a match for any other league in the world.
- The league needs both Qalandars and Kings to do well next season.
- By the looks of it, United would still be the team to beat next year, especially if they retain the formidable squad that they’ve shaped up.
- Hosting high profile cricket is becoming increasingly streamlined at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. National Stadium, Karachi will similarly follow suit.
- We may not have super soppers but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can always call upon military helicopters when there’s rain.
- Rawalpindi and Multan stadiums should brace themselves for some pulsating PSL action next season.
- Najam Sethi has kept every vow at the helm of PSL and PCB.
- PSL 4 would be bigger and better than PSL 3.