Atherton says PSL overseas players' participation in the PSL will encourage others to see Pakistan as a safe country.
Former England captain Michael Atherton, who was recently in Pakistan for commentary duties in the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), was delighted to see cricket back in the cricket-crazy nation after a long hiatus due to security issues.
Praising PSL’s standards, the Englishman said it was really safe to stay in Pakistan and insisted the foreign players’ participation in the tournament and their message about Pakistan’s security situation is a big positive sign for the country as they gear up to host more international cricket in the future.
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Atherton told PCB’s media team during an interview: “Well, you only have to look around: the crowds, enthusiasm and packed houses for every game. Importantly, all these foreign players will now know that it is safe here and they will be able to take that message to the players from their own countries.”
He further added, “I was in a café at the Pearl Continental and there were about eight to nine English players like Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tom Banton, Lewis Gregory, Liam Dawson and they were all saying how much they’ve enjoyed the competition, the tournament’s standard has been great and they feel perfectly safe here. So, this message will get passed back and that will encourage more and more players and teams to come.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan is known to produce world-class fast bowlers and former England captain explained the reason: “When I played against them, they had some great bowlers in particular. The last attack that I played against on my tour here of 2000, they had Wasim and Waqar [Younis] then Mushtaq [Ahmed] and Saqlain [Mushtaq]. Now you have got four great match-winning bowlers there.”
He continued, “Pakistan, of course, have produced great batsmen, but I think in recent times, the strength and depth of their bowling and particularly the kind of wicket-taking bowlers - pace bowlers and mystery spinners - have set them apart.
I don’t know why Pakistan particularly produces great bowlers. I suspect it has something to do with the relative lack of infrastructure. In order to produce lots and lots of great batsmen, you’ve got to have facilities and infrastructure and coaches and a very formal system, but I think bowlers can spring and emerge from anywhere and that’s probably why Pakistan produces so many.”
On being asked about England’s possible forthcoming Pakistan tour, he added: “It should be terrific. It’s a big summer for England. It won’t be as big as the last summer because that was the World Cup and the Ashes, which are always slightly different. But, this year, we’ve got Pakistan and West Indies coming. Pakistan have a very good record against England in recent years in England.”
Atherton signed off by saying, “We’re looking forward to seeing Pakistan in England this summer. It is a challenge for players when they come from the subcontinent to England. The last two, three years conditions, in England, have been extreme actually: the Duke’s ball and the floodlights and, you know, the way the ball has moved around, so it’s going to be a challenge for all Pakistan’s batsmen, but I think they will be up to it.”
(With IANS Inputs)