LAHORE: West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh has arrived in Pakistan and joined Rawalpindi’s camp ahead of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to be played from March 26 to May 3.
Walsh, who took 519 wickets in 132 Test matches, was recently appointed as Rawalpindi’s bowling coach. He will work alongside South African legend Justin Kemp, who will serve as the team’s head coach.
The franchise shared a photo of Walsh’s arrival on social media with the caption: “The man, the myth, the legend. Courtney Walsh has arrived and joined The Pindiz.”
The 63-year-old has experience as the bowling coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team and as the head coach of the West Indies women’s cricket team.
The upcoming PSL season marks a significant expansion, with eight teams competing for the first time. New teams Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi join the tournament which consists of 44 matches in 39 days.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board has revised its logistical plans. The matches will now be held exclusively in Karachi and Lahore and will be played behind closed doors.
Originally, six cities including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were under consideration as host venues.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the changes during a press conference, saying the decisions were taken after consultation with franchise owners and the board’s patron-chairman, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the revised schedule, Lahore will host Eliminators 1 and 2 along with the final, while Karachi will host the qualifiers. There is no change in the opening match between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Lahore Qalandars.
With the matches being held without spectators, the organizers have promised enhanced broadcast and production features to enhance the viewing experience for fans in Pakistan and globally.
Rawalpindi’s Squad for PSL 11:
Mohammad Rizwan (caught), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Cole Mackenzie, Abdullah Fazal, Amat Butt, Dian Forrester, Larry Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Akulam, Sawant Khan Ghulam Masood.
comments