On the eve of the Pakistan Super League's launch in Dubai, Kamran Akmal says he is a believer in its promise to improve Pakistan's standards.
Wicketkeeper Akmal is signed up to play with Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, and he is hoping the new Twenty20 league spurs the whole of the Pakistan talent pool to raise their game.
“Following the PSL every domestic cricketer will try to be fit and give their best as everyone will want to be picked by the franchises to play in the PSL,” said Kamran, who has hit six centuries in Test matches and five tons in one day cricket.
Read more: Osman Samiuddin interviews Shahid Afridi on the PSL and its contribution to the future of Pakistan cricket
He has also notched up five half centuries in Twenty20.
“Overall the whole tournament will be a big boost for every cricketer,” he added.
According to Kamran, the big boost for Pakistan cricketers will come from playing alongside the greats of the game. “We all have seen that in whichever league the best players have come those countries have benefitted.
“It increases the professionalism of that country. So sharing the dressing room with players like Chris Gayle, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy and others will help everyone.”
The 34-year-old’s personal goal for the tournament, meanwhile, is the same as any youngster: impress the national selectors. He has been in and out of the national team picture throughout the last few years. A good showing in elite environs of the PSL could help his case for more caps.
“For the last two seasons I have been performing but it is left to the selectors. My job is to show fitness and form and now that the domestic matches are over I will focus on Peshawar Zami and give my best,” Kamran said.
The launch of the Pakistan Super League also comes at an opportune time, with Pakistan targeting a strong showing at the World Twenty20 this year in India and cricketers jockeying for a national team role at the tournament.
“They can stake their claim for a place in the Pakistan team through a good performance here. Domestic cricket ended three days ago and many youngsters gave very good performance including myself and so through PSL, all these are platforms to produce a comeback.”
Talking about the excitement of playing in the PSL, he also said: “The excitement is there to be here. Though we did not get much time to be together. So whatever time we have to be together we will utilise it all for the best preparation in the coming days.
“We will work out hard according to the coach’s plan. We will play for not only the team but whole of Pakistan.”
He said he was confident in the quality of the Peshawar team.
“Our team combination is excellent. We need to practice more to find the right combination on the field, but we have worked hard in the last three days.
“The foreigners who are also in the team are also putting in their effort and so in batting and bowling we have a good combination.”
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Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
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For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
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New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
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Tries: Faletau, Murray
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Conversions: Farrell
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