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International stars itching to land in Karachi for HBL PSL

Foreign stars hope their tour to Pakistan will be highly enjoyable and successful as they gear up to play in Karachi in the last phase of HBL Pakistan Super League, which starts at the National Stadium from March 9.

 
Foreign stars hope their tour to Pakistan will be highly enjoyable and successful as they gear up to play in Karachi in the last phase of HBL Pakistan Super League, which starts at the National Stadium from March 9. 

“Karachi, guess what ... PSL is coming to you,” said Sammy, who has been the most popular foreign player in the HBL PSL. “I am super excited to turn up in Karachi. So, my message is: turn up and come out and support. It’s going to be big show,” he added.

Sammy’s former teammate and double ICC World Twenty20 winner Dwayne Bravo, who is playing for Quetta Gladiators, is also excited to return to Pakistan. “It’s a great feeling,” said Bravo.

“I am personally looking forward to going back to Pakistan because it’s been a while that I went there,” said Bravo, who was part of the West Indies team which toured Pakistan in 2006. “I am super excited. We have a big fan following whether we play in Karachi or Lahore. So, the Gladiators are on their way. I hope all our Quetta fans will support the song I have sung for them and support us,” said Bravo.

West Indies great Sir Viv Richards said he always enjoyed touring Pakistan. “I have always enjoyed going to Pakistan,” said Richards, who also toured Pakistan as a player on several occasions.

“I now enjoy it more, especially because the individual now in charge of Pakistan has been a great friend and that is Imran Khan. We have competed against each other many times. I have always enjoyed going to Pakistan. Javed Miandad is my best mate there,” he added.

New Zealand’s Colin Munro will be touring Pakistan for the first time. That makes him even more excited. “It’s going to be pretty amazing, especially playing in front of a packed crowd,” said Munro, who will be wearing the Karachi Kings kit. “Obviously, there was not much cricket there of international flavor, so just trying to get over there and put a good show,” he added.

Munro hopes Karachi Kings will make it to the play-offs and he will deliver what is expected of him. “The HBL PSL has been awesome,” said Munro. “Personally, I haven’t sort of delivered as per my standards, but . . . hopefully will finish with a bang and make it to the play-offs at the right time,” said Munro.

Another Karachi Kings batsman Colin Ingram, who notched the highest individual score of HBL PSL history with 127 not out against Quetta in Sharjah, wants Karachi to play in front of the home fans. “It was one of those things we missed out last year,” said Munro of Karachi King’ loss to Peshawar last year. “We played well last year but lost the Eliminator in Lahore and didn’t get to play in the home city. We know people are excited and it’s going to be a great moment. It’s going to be a great event in Karachi,” said Ingram.

“They (Karachi fans) have been desperate for the return of cricket. We look forward and hope we play well.”

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