Dubai: It may still be early days in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but it has already become a common bonding ground among the cricketers.
Though some of the Pakistan players are not so fluent in English, it seems that language is no barrier when it comes to cricket,
When the legendary Viv Richards, mentor of Quetta Gladiators explains his style of batting, the players are able to comprehend everything he says and listen with rapt attention - even to his tales from past. The result of all these is that the under-rated Quetta are playing like champions now.
Pakistan’s domestic cricketers, who haven’t got a chance to see players like Chris Gayle, Shane Watson or Kevin Pietersen live in action in their country, can be seen asking questions often. “Richards is such a great player but he has given us the feeling he knows us all for years,” said Sarfraz Ahmad, skipper of the Quetta team. All top international stars are mixing freely, joking and dining with each other.
The organisers of the tournament have put all teams in the same hotel at Conrad on Shaikh Zayed Road and hence all players are able to mix freely, be it over lunch, dinner or breakfast on match days and off-days. Pakistanis, known for their love of food, have been busy helping star players understand the taste of various sub-continent dishes.
Mushtaq Ahmad, the assistant coach of the Karachi Kings, wants his team to play like a family and makes sure they eat together. Very often, his hotel room is where all his team players assemble to eat.
Pakistan players, who love kebabs, are making sure they are getting the best selection in town. Food is even being ordered from Barbecue Delights, a popular hangout for Pakistan players whenever they play any international series here.
The local Pakistan fans are falling over each other to felicitate every team. On Monday, (today) Taste of Fame in Sunset Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road has invited the whole Islamabad United team for a ‘Dine with the cricket stars’ night. Led by Misbah-ul Haq, the team has Wasim Akram as mentor, Dean Jones as coach and players like Shane Watson and Andre Russell.
Following Quetta’s first victory, the players went on a cruise at Dubai Marina. Many players have come with their families and hence children of cricketers too enjoyed the experience. Almost all team managements are doing everything to make the players comfortable as well as entertain them.
Speaking about the cruise experience, Pakistan pacer Umar Gul said: “The understanding between our players, may it be foreigners, domestic or Pakistan’s international players, is fantastic and this night-out at the Dubai Marina would only improve it further. Players need these sorts of activities to keep them fresh on tours and I think it’s a very good decision by the management and owner Nadeem Omar that they brought us here.”
Nadeem said: “So far, from what I’ve seen, each and every individual is so keen to do well for Gladiators not only in the match but the hunger could be seen in practice sessions as well. Hopefully, the youngsters will learn from the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and others.”
