Skippers expect fine show from their teams in PSL

By our correspondent
LAHORE: The captains of all six franchises, which are set to feature in the HBL PSL 9, were on Tuesday confident that their brigades would deliver in the country’s marquee event which will begin here at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on February 17.
They were on Tuesday expressing their views during the trophy unveiling ceremony here at the Polo Ground.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars skipper and the country’s premier left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi said that there is no pressure on them.
“There is no pressure on us and we will play good cricket” Shaheen said.
“We have good bowlers and hopefully we will play good cricket,” he was quick to add.
Shaheen said that he feels fresh.
“I am fresh and as a professional you always should be ready for the task,” said Shaheen, who guided Qalandars to two back-to-back titles in their last two editions of the country’s marquee event.
Karachi Kings skipper Shan Masood said that top effort will be made to play good cricket.
“It’s a new start, with the fresh talent in hand and foreign players roster and every effort will be made to play good cricket,” Shah Masood said.
“Hasan Ali is looking in good rhythm and it is resurgence period for him and I think he will do his best,” said Shan who recently led Pakistan test team in Australia.
Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan said that he has a solid combination and there are lot of hopes from his charges.
“We are trying to make the brigade gelled. Abbas Afridi has improved a lot and I hope he will bowl with rhythm. There are several players who can deliver,” said Rizwan, the country’s premier wicket-keeper batsman.
Peshawar Zalmi’s skipper Babar Azam said that overall his team is very good.
“Overall my team is very good. Last year our bowling was not well but we have tried to recover. It’s important for local players to perform. Our combination is very good and it depends on how we start,” Babar said.
He expects a lot from his stumper Mohammad Haris.
“Haris this time will be different,” said Babar.
Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan said his side is full of champion players.
“We have brought champions players and it definitely will bring champions mindset,” said Shadab, the country’s premier all-rounder.
He said that they will play attacking cricket.
“You will see attacking cricket inshaAllah,” Shadab said. He said that Shah brothers (Naseem Shah, Ubaid Shah and Hunain Shah) are all solid, adding they will see how they can play the trio.
Shadab said that attacking cricket will be seen from his charges.
He said that he is very much impressed by Ubaid Shah, saying all three brothers are glorious.
Quetta Gladiators skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said that his team is balanced.
“On paper our team looks balanced and our fast bowling is also strong. We will field a well-balanced side but its important that your core players are with you from the start,” said Sarfaraz who is the only captain of the PSL history who has led his side in all previous eight editions.