"PSL is the best tournament when it comes to the standard of bowling" : Phil Salt

[MenInG]

A sought-after Twenty20 specialist, Phil Salt has impressed all with his recent performances in the Big Bash League where he ended up with 361 runs scored at a brilliant strike rate of 164.09. Coupled with 1473 runs which he made in 62 T20 appearances, Salt is sure to play a key role in Islamabad United's quest for a third title in this year's Pakistan Super League.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, 23-year-old Salt spoke about his recent experience in the Big Bash League, his admiration for Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, why he is looking forward to working with Misbah-ul-Haq at Islamabad United, reasons for joining the MCC tour of Pakistan and his aspirations for participation in this year's ICC T20 World Cup.

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PakPassion.net: You recently enjoyed a successful Big Bash League with Adelaide Strikers, how was that experience?

Phil Salt: It was a great experience going over there to Australia and playing in a different type of cricket environment, on different surfaces and playing against a group of bowlers who mostly I had not faced before. I was pretty happy with how it went especially with my performances around finals time when you feel the pinch a bit more. But I was disappointed that we didn’t go that little bit further in the competition.


PakPassion.net: How do you see your role within Twenty20 cricket?

Phil Salt: I feel that one of the best things about my game and I have been told this by the franchises and team statisticians that I have played for is that I get going quickly in my innings and I am one of the best in the world after the first few deliveries faced, so that way I don’t need a lot of deliveries to start building an innings. I’ve been asked to do various roles in the batting order such as play in the middle-order for Lahore Qalandars but I feel that my best position at the moment is at the top of the order.


PakPassion.net: You played alongside Rashid Khan at both Sussex and Adelaide Strikers. What’s it like playing in the same team as such a fantastic cricketer?

Phil Salt: I love playing in the same team as Rashid and what makes it even more special is that he’s a good friend of mine. It was great to be around him at the Big Bash League and I feel that he is already a legend. His cricket and his records speak for themselves - What a match-winner he is!


PakPassion.net: During last year’s Pakistan Super League there was a lovely picture of you with security personnel in Pakistan that became very popular. How was the experience of being in Pakistan?

Phil Salt: It was a really good experience. Pakistan is a beautiful place and the crowds and all the people I met just blew me away with their passion for cricket which is virtually second to none. It was really cool to go over there and I can't wait to go back for this year's PSL. And yes, that picture did the rounds and I was quite pleased with that. In fact, one of my friends messaged me to tell me that it was very popular on twitter and was trending and it was only replaced as the top trend when Adam Lallana scored for Liverpool versus Southampton. It was great for an image like that to be shared, whether it was of me or someone else.


PakPassion.net: Are you looking forward to the whole of this year’s Pakistan Super League being held in Pakistan?

Phil Salt: Definitely. Last year I wanted to go to Lahore and Islamabad, but it wasn’t to be. I wanted to experience playing in Lahore as I had heard a lot about the city and the passion for cricket there and of course to Islamabad, as I wanted to play in front of our home fans. But this year I can’t wait to experience the food in Lahore as the boys have been telling me about how great the food is over there. Last year I went to Kolachi restaurant in Karachi and the food there was beautiful, and that kind of experience is definitely one of the things that I am looking forward to again during this year’s PSL.


PakPassion.net: How highly do you rate Islamabad United’s chances at this year’s Pakistan Super League?

Phil Salt: Their record speaks for itself. They are former title-winners, with good personnel at the franchise. I’m pretty excited at the chance to work with Misbah-ul-Haq who has played so much cricket and knows the game inside out and I’m looking forward to tapping into his knowledge. It’s going to be a hard-fought tournament and I hope that Islamabad will be there or thereabouts when it comes to winning the title.


PakPassion.net: How does the Pakistan Super League compare with other Twenty20 tournaments you have played in?

Phil Salt: The PSL is the best tournament I have played in when it comes to the standard of bowling. In all the other competitions there are one or sometimes two bowlers who you fancy your chances against and that you can take a calculated risk against, but in the PSL the bowlers are so good in their own conditions. On top of that, they have the ability to reverse-swing the ball and have that sort of knowledge of their wickets that makes it harder for guys coming into bat. So, in the PSL there are very few bowlers that you fancy your chances against or that can be deemed as a weak link.


PakPassion.net: You’ll soon join the MCC squad touring Pakistan and will play one match. How did the opportunity arise to play for the MCC in Pakistan?

Phil Salt: Ajmal Shehzad is one of the coaches on the tour and it so happens that Ajmal and I have been friends for a few years. We used to travel together up and down the country when I was at the Academy at Sussex and we both lived in Yorkshire. Ajmal used to give me a lift up and down the motorway from Yorkshire to Sussex and we became very close friends. When he asked me if I wanted to go back to Pakistan with the MCC the answer obviously was yes straight away. But the problem was that it didn’t quite work out with the timings and it wouldn’t have been ideal for me to go from playing all the matches for the MCC and straight into the PSL, so I thought after the Big Bash League I would take a bit of a break, get some rest and get some freshness back. Therefore, I agreed to play only one match for the MCC in Pakistan before the PSL.


PakPassion.net: With the MCC touring Pakistan, the tours by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and now the PSL being played entirely in Pakistan, there is a concerted effort to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. Do you feel you are a part of something more than just cricket?

Phil Salt: Yes, the MCC tour has a special meaning and all the players involved sort of get that idea especially when talking to the Pakistani players about this subject. That perception is reinforced when we go over to Pakistan and see the reception you get from the fans, and then see your face on billboards in various cities. I guess for everyone who isn’t Pakistani, it will be difficult to appreciate the importance of the visit by the MCC or any other team of foreign players - the scale of it and the feelings around such visits is simply unbelievable.


PakPassion.net: You’ll get the chance to work with Kumar Sangakkara during the tour by MCC, that’s a fantastic opportunity for you isn’t it?

Phil Salt: Working with Kumar Sangakkara is yet another chance to learn from someone who has played loads of cricket and knows so much about the game. That’s where I am at the minute, I’m just trying to learn from as many people as possible and use their knowledge to help me become a better player, quicker. The advice that Sangakkara will be able to pass on to me is second to none and I can’t wait to tap into that knowledge.


PakPassion.net: Is participation in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup a realistic target for you?

Phil Salt: Absolutely. I don’t know if I will be picked for the World Cup squad, but then you never sort of know with these things. Sometimes chances like these can come today, tomorrow, in a month’s time, or even in a year’s time. All I know is that I am working really hard at the minute to keep on improving and to keep putting the performances in and I’ll keep doing that and hopefully I’ll get there sooner rather than later.


PakPassion.net: Playing in Twenty20 leagues around the world such as the Pakistan Super League must be seen as a great help for your international aspirations and profile?

Phil Salt: I’m all about learning at the moment and going to all these places and playing in these leagues and learning more about my game will help me get to my goals that much quicker. As I said, I am happy to be experiencing the high standards in the Pakistan Super League and loving the whole fan-fair of the Big Bash League. Playing in such environments is allowing me exposure to different and very competitive leagues where I am playing against different opponents. All this can only help my cricket and to help me reach the destination of international cricket quicker.

 

[Mamoon]

It’s a myth. The quality of bowling in PSL “looks” better largely because of two factors: most of the matches have been played on slow UAE pitches, and the standard of batting in general is very poor.

There are no Indian batsmen and quite a few top class batsmen from other sides are missing as well.

Now that the PSL has been shifted to Pakistan, it is quite likely that the drama of PSL’s so-called world class bowling will be exposed. We have already seen some humongous scores in Karachi.

Play the PSL attacks on IPL pitches against IPL lineups and they will show how great they really are.

I mean, what bowling attack are we talking about? Yes our bowlers have been successful on slow UAE pitches with their cheap bag of tricks, but the overseas pool of bowlers is nothing to talk about.

How can PSL have the best attacks in the world when some of the best bowlers in the world like Bumrah, Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult, Shami etc. are not playing in PSL?

Who are these so-called world class bowlers who make up the attacks?

Before I am inevitably reminded that I should not speak for someone who is playing in the PSL, well I will because he is speaking nonsense.

He probably thinks that way because he is an average batsman who is far from the next big thing in English cricket.

He will never play a Test for England and will be lucky to get 20 ODI/T20I caps in international cricket over the course of his career, and he is also not good enough to get an IPL contract,

which is the highest form of T20 cricket in the game and has the highest standard of batting and bowling, simply because it has, by far, the best pool of players among all the wannabe IPLs like PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL etc.

PSL is an average league that exists because of IPL. Like other franchise leagues, it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mimic a fraction of IPL’s success. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is far from the best at anything, but it doesn’t have to be. It is doing its job as an entertainment product and people should enjoy for what it is.

There is no point of making it what it is not and cannot be.

 

[Manager101]

It’s a myth. The quality of bowling in PSL “looks” better largely because of two factors: most of the matches have been played on slow UAE pitches, and the standard of batting in general is very poor.

There are no Indian batsmen and quite a few top class batsmen from other sides are missing as well.

Now that the PSL has been shifted to Pakistan, it is quite likely that the drama of PSL’s so-called world class bowling will be exposed. We have already seen some humongous scores in Karachi.

Play the PSL attacks on IPL pitches against IPL lineups and they will show how great they really are.

I mean, what bowling attack are we talking about? Yes our bowlers have been successful on slow UAE pitches with their cheap bag of tricks, but the overseas pool of bowlers is nothing to talk about.

How can PSL have the best attacks in the world when some of the best bowlers in the world like Bumrah, Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult, Shami etc. are not playing in PSL?

Who are these so-called world class bowlers who make up the attacks?

Before I am inevitably reminded that I should not speak for someone who is playing in the PSL, well I will because he is speaking nonsense.

He probably thinks that way because he is an average batsman who is far from the next big thing in English cricket.

He will never play a Test for England and will be lucky to get 20 ODI/T20I caps in international cricket over the course of his career, and he is also not good enough to get an IPL contract,

which is the highest form of T20 cricket in the game and has the highest standard of batting and bowling, simply because it has, by far, the best pool of players among all the wannabe IPLs like PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL etc.

PSL is an average league that exists because of IPL. Like other franchise leagues, it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mimic a fraction of IPL’s success. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is far from the best at anything, but it doesn’t have to be. It is doing its job as an entertainment product and people should enjoy for what it is.

There is no point of making it what it is not and cannot be.

You forgot to write "Rant over".

 

[Markhor]

Add some more zeros on the end of my paycheck and I'll say nice things too.

 

[minamino]

If it had the best bowling, Asif Ali wouldn't be hitting sixes for fun.

 

[Markhor]

It’s a myth. The quality of bowling in PSL “looks” better largely because of two factors: most of the matches have been played on slow UAE pitches, and the standard of batting in general is very poor.

There are no Indian batsmen and quite a few top class batsmen from other sides are missing as well.

Now that the PSL has been shifted to Pakistan, it is quite likely that the drama of PSL’s so-called world class bowling will be exposed. We have already seen some humongous scores in Karachi.

Play the PSL attacks on IPL pitches against IPL lineups and they will show how great they really are.

I mean, what bowling attack are we talking about? Yes our bowlers have been successful on slow UAE pitches with their cheap bag of tricks, but the overseas pool of bowlers is nothing to talk about.

How can PSL have the best attacks in the world when some of the best bowlers in the world like Bumrah, Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult, Shami etc. are not playing in PSL?

Who are these so-called world class bowlers who make up the attacks?

Before I am inevitably reminded that I should not speak for someone who is playing in the PSL, well I will because he is speaking nonsense.

He probably thinks that way because he is an average batsman who is far from the next big thing in English cricket.

He will never play a Test for England and will be lucky to get 20 ODI/T20I caps in international cricket over the course of his career, and he is also not good enough to get an IPL contract,

which is the highest form of T20 cricket in the game and has the highest standard of batting and bowling, simply because it has, by far, the best pool of players among all the wannabe IPLs like PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL etc.

PSL is an average league that exists because of IPL. Like other franchise leagues, it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mimic a fraction of IPL’s success. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is far from the best at anything, but it doesn’t have to be. It is doing its job as an entertainment product and people should enjoy for what it is.

There is no point of making it what it is not and cannot be.

I don't mind PSL as an entertainment spectacle and a vehicle to return international cricket to Pakistan.

But what I cannot stand are the PSL fan-boys who hype this second rate league as on a par with IPL and demand the fast-tracking of PSL stars, despite mediocre domestic records, into international cricket. It's a disgrace that journeymen one hit wonders on the back of a few half-decent performances in this league are rewarded with the cap that Fazal Mahmood, Zaheer Abbas and Wasim Akram once wore. Has anybody produced by this league even gone on to have successful and sustained Pakistan careers ? If this league is so damn good, why have the likes of Asif Ali, Ahsan Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammed Nawaz all crashed and burned in international cricket ?

The quality of cricket, coaching and talent rosters are not comparable. The standard of batting is appalling especially amongst the local talent - only in PSL would TTFs like Kamran Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal top the batting charts. Only in PSL do bits and pieces players like Shadab Khan, Fahim Ashraf and Mohammed Nawaz look like proper all rounders.

Yes there's been close and exciting matches - usually because the teams are so bloody incompetent or such chokers that they cannot close out even simple chases or collapse out of nowhere.

The best young talent in Pakistan don't even play in this league, many of whom have been shockingly ignored. The selection process is not on merit but on basis of jobs for the boys and rewarding mates.

Also, if this league is as incredible as Phil Salt is making out to be, why the hell are the franchises losing money hand over fist and begging the PCB for financial relief ?

Anyway we've only a few weeks until the real cricket begins again. In the meantime enjoy.

 

[Titan24]

Guy his giving his opinion based upon the experiences he had in different leagues. Just like many people have different opinions, Salt has every right to have his own when he has actually himself experienced the difference by playing in multiple leagues. He has also given a reason of why his thinks so, people have every right to disagree.

Alex Hales also shared some of these sentiments in his interview. Ofcourse opinions can vary.

 

[Titan24]

Add some more zeros on the end of my paycheck and I'll say nice things too.

So Natwest, BBL etc dont pay him enough?

 

[BoredFromLifeXi]

I don't remember him playing many leagues so don't think he can judge fairly.

 

[Artaxerxes]

IPL is not better than other leagues.The big money offered by IPL is the reason foreign players are very keen to play in IPL.The quality of cricket is similar to other leagues.

 

[ethan hunt]

Shane Watson said the same thing last year and faced similar criticism.

People now have issues with personal opinions.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

It’s a myth. The quality of bowling in PSL “looks” better largely because of two factors: most of the matches have been played on slow UAE pitches, and the standard of batting in general is very poor.

There are no Indian batsmen and quite a few top class batsmen from other sides are missing as well.

Now that the PSL has been shifted to Pakistan, it is quite likely that the drama of PSL’s so-called world class bowling will be exposed. We have already seen some humongous scores in Karachi.

Play the PSL attacks on IPL pitches against IPL lineups and they will show how great they really are.

I mean, what bowling attack are we talking about? Yes our bowlers have been successful on slow UAE pitches with their cheap bag of tricks, but the overseas pool of bowlers is nothing to talk about.

How can PSL have the best attacks in the world when some of the best bowlers in the world like Bumrah, Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult, Shami etc. are not playing in PSL?

Who are these so-called world class bowlers who make up the attacks?

Before I am inevitably reminded that I should not speak for someone who is playing in the PSL, well I will because he is speaking nonsense.

He probably thinks that way because he is an average batsman who is far from the next big thing in English cricket.

He will never play a Test for England and will be lucky to get 20 ODI/T20I caps in international cricket over the course of his career, and he is also not good enough to get an IPL contract,

which is the highest form of T20 cricket in the game and has the highest standard of batting and bowling, simply because it has, by far, the best pool of players among all the wannabe IPLs like PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL etc.

PSL is an average league that exists because of IPL. Like other franchise leagues, it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mimic a fraction of IPL’s success. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is far from the best at anything, but it doesn’t have to be. It is doing its job as an entertainment product and people should enjoy for what it is.

There is no point of making it what it is not and cannot be.

That’s quite the rant.

KK have Amir, Jordan, Plunkett (both play the IPL I believe?) with Imad and umer Khan for support. That’s pretty damn good

Qalanders have Rauf (Best bowler in the recent BBL), Steyn and Shaheen. Quality.

Multan have Imran Tahir, Tanvir and irfan.

Quetta have Tymal, Husnain, Naseem and Fawad.

Zalmi seem a tad weaker but still boast Wahab and Hasan Ali

So, yeah, bowling standards are very very good and Salt’s comments are entirely reasonable

 

[Mamoon]

That’s quite the rant.

KK have Amir, Jordan, Plunkett (both play the IPL I believe?) with Imad and umer Khan for support. That’s pretty damn good

Qalanders have Rauf (Best bowler in the recent BBL), Steyn and Shaheen. Quality.

Multan have Imran Tahir, Tanvir and irfan.

Quetta have Tymal, Husnain, Naseem and Fawad.

Zalmi seem a tad weaker but still boast Wahab and Hasan Ali

So, yeah, bowling standards are very very good and Salt’s comments are entirely reasonable

If you compare it to the batting, the bowling is relatively better but still mediocre.

However, if you compare it to IPL where every leading Limited Overs bowler in the world of the last 10 years has participated, then it is quite ridiculous to suggest that PSL has the best standard of bowling among all the leagues.

I think Salt is just salty for not being good enough for the IPL.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

If you compare it to the batting, the bowling is relatively better but still mediocre.

However, if you compare it to IPL where every leading Limited Overs bowler in the world of the last 10 years has participated, then it is quite ridiculous to suggest that PSL has the best standard of bowling among all the leagues.

I think Salt is just salty for not being good enough for the IPL.

I don’t follow the IPL particularly closely but I have seen plenty of the other leagues and I do think the PSL bowling is better than the rest. So perhaps it’s not the best but it does have a legit claim to being the second best and thus these comments from Salt, Dean Jones, etc. are not misplaced. The PSL bowling standard is most definitely not mediocre

It probably does help that the PSL is only 6 teams so the local talent doesn’t get spread over 8 or 18 teams (or however many teams the English system has) and it doesn’t compete with the host country’s international commitments (BBL)

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Surely he is talking about quantity of decent bowlers and he is right about there are no t20 leagues in the world where every team having 5/6 very decent but not world-class bowlers so he is saying right that it is difficult to find the weak link because all of them are pretty good. This is the statement of every foreign players who played PSL so surely it is kind of agreeable.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Home conditions and bowlers experience in slow pitches only adding weight to this statement, even AB and KP did struggle there.

 

[IAJ]

Really funny this; a batsman who actually has played in various leagues praises the good bowling in PSL and then you have keyboard batters who calls this a myth..amazing.

 

[Saj]

I think he's right about the quality of bowling at the PSL. It's definitely amongst the best especially when it comes to pace bowling.

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION], the bowling is definitely 2nd best if we assume 1st is the IPL.

Not bad at all for a young league with tons of logistics issues.

So yeah, I understand your IPL rant but credit where due, for being the second best.

 

[bizenjo]

I do think that some people are being plain ignorant in this thread.

One guy mentioned Asif Ali hitting sixes for fun. So then why does the IPL normally have high scores? Is it because the bowling is bad?

The PSL has probably got the best bowling in the world right now. In the IPL, the bowlers just get blasted each game; no wonder players like Mohammed Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed have all faded away.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

I think he's right about the quality of bowling at the PSL. It's definitely amongst the best especially when it comes to pace bowling.

Yup, there is a reason that games go down to the wire more often than any other league.

 

[globalcitizen]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION], the bowling is definitely 2nd best if we assume 1st is the IPL.

Not bad at all for a young league with tons of logistics issues.

So yeah, I understand your IPL rant but credit where due, for being the second best.

There is no shame in considered second best after all its inspired from IPL. How much ever league springs up around world, everyone knows the pioneers

 

[Markhor]

Yup, there is a reason that games go down to the wire more often than any other league.

Incompetent batting and typical Pakistani trait of choking in run chases might have something to do with it too.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Incompetent batting and typical Pakistani trait of choking in run chases might have something to do with it too.

As long as they arnt one sided affairs, Im not complaining

 

[sweep_shot]

He has a right to his opinion. I would expect PSL to have great bowling quality because Pakistan generally produce great bowlers.

 

[zn426]

PSL is about entertainment. I do believe eventually that international cricket will play second fiddle, mostly because the T20 leagues are so lucrative, but that's not something that is happening today.
As far as comparing cricket goes, it's really tough to compare because Indian players only compete in IPL. Australian players in the Big Bash will also play CPL, IPL, and PSL, BPL players will also play PSL, CPL, and Big Bash, etc. There's just no exclusivity for those leagues because the players in those leagues will revolt if they miss out on league money elsewhere. IPL is the biggest right now, that does not guarantee that they will always be the biggest or that the PSL or BBL cannot achieve those heights.

 

[Hawkeye]

There is no shame in considered second best after all its inspired from IPL. How much ever league springs up around world, everyone knows the pioneers

Of course.

Being 2nd best is good enough in this case!

 

[bala977]

If any player comes to India and says good things about IPL, it is because of financial motivation and of course, he has no choice but to do it.

If a player says the same thing about PSL, it can only be genuine and true - no need to question the motive or authenticity of the narrative.

Is the above correct?

 

[Titan24]

If any player comes to India and says good things about IPL, it is because of financial motivation and of course, he has no choice but to do it.

If a player says the same thing about PSL, it can only be genuine and true - no need to question the motive or authenticity of the narrative.

Is the above correct?

Obviously no player will say bad things about the league he plays in but nobody goes out of the way and mention that one aspect which in this case is bowling is better than what he has experienced elsewhere unless he genuinely feels it. He was asked about PSL, he could have said generalized things like he could have said for any other league which he didnt.

Also he isnt the only one, Alex Hales interview to PP last year can also be read where he mentioned the quality of bowling and there are others too.

Its ok to disagree to what these players have said but doubting their intentions regarding a specific aspect is far fetched because as mentioned that he could have given generalized praises just like most players do for leagues but he mentioned one aspect and went onto give reason as well. Unless he starts saying in every league that it has the best bowling than I don’t understand why should anybody target his intentions.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I think its 2nd best after the IPL.

 

[MenInG]

I think its 2nd best after the IPL.

Dont think much doubt about that but apart from the revenue earnt, what other yardsticks can we use? Surely "the best" league thing is down to the eyes of the beholder?

 

[Itachi]

Good or bad is measured against a reference frame.

When batting is so poor in PSL, even mediocre bowling will shine as these bowlers will easily handle those batsman. Hence, the performance will be inflated than what they are capable of elsewhere.

 

[Mesozoic]

Agree.

Put those same bowlers in front of Warner, Rohit, Kohli, Finch, Smith, Butler, Bairstow, Qdk and may be a dozen others then we'll see how good they actually are...

 

[Indiafan]

My only counter would be that Kamran Akmal keeps topping this league. No way a league with the best bowling will allow someone like Kamran top the batting charts

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Statistically it might be.

But being honest, I don’t think it is. Because as someone pointed out the likes of Finch, Buttler, Warner, Rahul, Stokes haven’t played in this league yet.

Yes Morgan, Gayle, Roy and Ab have played and didn’t do well.

But the sample size is very small.

Also the UAE pitches are the worst for stroke making

Once the top players start to play and if bowling is still of the same level, then this statement has some weight behind it.

From what I’ve seen bowling does look impressive tho

 

[cricketjoshila]

Dont think much doubt about that but apart from the revenue earnt, what other yardsticks can we use? Surely "the best" league thing is down to the eyes of the beholder?

Number of international players who regularly play for their teams and also play the league regularly. Thats another yard stick.

 

[shah_1]

My only counter would be that Kamran Akmal keeps topping this league. No way a league with the best bowling will allow someone like Kamran top the batting charts

Kamran Akmal isn’t a bad T20 batsman

Played a crucial role in winning us T20 world cup 2009 and smashed Australian bowlers in 2010 WC semi final

 

[Titan24]

Good or bad is measured against a reference frame.

When batting is so poor in PSL, even mediocre bowling will shine as these bowlers will easily handle those batsman. Hence, the performance will be inflated than what they are capable of elsewhere.

Agree.

Put those same bowlers in front of Warner, Rohit, Kohli, Finch, Smith, Butler, Bairstow, Qdk and may be a dozen others then we'll see how good they actually are...

He has said PSL is the best tournament bowling wise in comparison to tournaments I have played in. Why is IPL coming into discussion?

He isnt talking about bowling stats as well but rather his experience and that he and probably other guys who he had talks with find it difficult to identify bowlers to target in each match.

 

[Mesozoic]

He has said PSL is the best tournament bowling wise in comparison to tournaments I have played in. Why is IPL coming into discussion?

He isnt talking about bowling stats as well but rather his experience and that he and probably other guys who he had talks with find it difficult to identify bowlers to target in each match.

Oh my bad. The title made it sound as if he's referring to all the leagues.

 

[Kroll]

Everybody and their dog worth their salt (sorry) will say the same about their own tournaments.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Dont think much doubt about that but apart from the revenue earnt, what other yardsticks can we use? Surely "the best" league thing is down to the eyes of the beholder?

The quality of players participating is another yardstick. Their records speak for themselves.

 

[FreePalestine]

Yup, there is a reason that games go down to the wire more often than any other league.

Actually, I think a lot of IPL matches go down to the wire. Like, last ball finishes, unexpected changes in the last few overs of the game. Too often in fact. I just put this down to what I assume to be rife fixing in the IPL. Just my opinion though. Never really gone looking for proof. And not saying that fixing isn’t rife in Pak as well.

 

[FreePalestine]

I really enjoyed watching the first game. Three or four young Pak fast bowlers - Hasnain, Musa, Javed, Faheem - all bowled well.

Sorry, previous post a bit off-topic, perhaps.

 

[Manunited18]

The derth of match winning bowlers in psl is unrivalled.

 

[Hawkeye]

Loving the bowling standard.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] your comparison with IPL never ends. apart from IPL no other league has better bowling and that is fact.

 

[DRsohail]

I think its 2nd best after the IPL.

Yes you are right. And very few times I agree with you.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

PakPassion.net: How does the Pakistan Super League compare with other Twenty20 tournaments you have played in?

Phil Salt: The PSL is the best tournament I have played in when it comes to the standard of bowling. In all the other competitions there are one or sometimes two bowlers who you fancy your chances against and that you can take a calculated risk against, but in the PSL the bowlers are so good in their own conditions. On top of that, they have the ability to reverse-swing the ball and have that sort of knowledge of their wickets that makes it harder for guys coming into bat. So, in the PSL there are very few bowlers that you fancy your chances against or that can be deemed as a weak link.

The guy compares the leagues that he's played in and some people just make it a this league versus that league. The insecurity lmao.

 

[Mamoon]

When will this Wisden Player of the Year get a game? If you cannot get into a PSL playing XI as an overseas player, you should probably understand your worth as a cricketer.

 

[Artaxerxes]

PSL is a league on its own right.It does not need to compete with other leagues.I only watch Vitality Blast(English T20) and PSL.I don't care about IPL.This is my choice.Similarly Indians can watch IPL.They can rate IPL to the best le4ague if they want to.It doesn't bother me.I am not interested in IPL but wish all overseas players a success.

 

[Ryw]

Very much on spot regarding bowling standard,even bottom ranked teams in PSL consists strong bowling units

 

[Mamoon]

Well the likes of Irfan, Faheem, Shinwari, Irshad, Rahat etc. are the reason why PSL has the best bowling among all leagues in spite of not having the likes of Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Bumrah, Malinga etc.

Other leagues cannot dream of having local bowlers of their pedigree.

 

[squanchy]

Well the likes of Irfan, Faheem, Shinwari, Irshad, Rahat etc. are the reason why PSL has the best bowling among all leagues in spite of not having the likes of Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Bumrah, Malinga etc.

Other leagues cannot dream of having local bowlers of their pedigree.

Which other leagues have you watched? Have you seen the standards of the big bash??

 

[Mamoon]

Which other leagues have you watched? Have you seen the standards of the big bash??

Big Bash, PSL, CPL, BPL and MSL are all comparable. However, all of them are light-years behind IPL which is now equal to international cricket. In fact, it is better than bilateral T20 International cricket and on par with the World T20.

 

[globalcitizen]

PSL is a league on its own right.It does not need to compete with other leagues.I only watch Vitality Blast(English T20) and PSL.I don't care about IPL.This is my choice.Similarly Indians can watch IPL.They can rate IPL to the best le4ague if they want to.It doesn't bother me.I am not interested in IPL but wish all overseas players a success.

So whatever league mushrooms around the world, IPL will be known as best and widely watched around cricketing world
Others just copied and tried to recreate the same success mantra

 

[shamaan]

Big Bash, PSL, CPL, BPL and MSL are all comparable. However, all of them are light-years behind IPL which is now equal to international cricket. In fact, it is better than bilateral T20 International cricket and on par with the World T20.

The league rauf destroyed?

 

[badsha001]

Big Bash, PSL, CPL, BPL and MSL are all comparable. However, all of them are light-years behind IPL which is now equal to international cricket. In fact, it is better than bilateral T20 International cricket and on par with the World T20.

lol. how do you come up with this sort of stuff? i mean i'm torn between one can't be this dumb vs one can be this dumb.

 

[Mamoon]

The league rauf destroyed?

You will get anomalies everywhere. Where do you want me to start with PSL? Kamran has been a star performer for 5 seasons in a row in a league that has supposedly “the best standard of bowling”.

 

[Mamoon]

lol. how do you come up with this sort of stuff? i mean i'm torn between one can't be this dumb vs one can be this dumb.

You mean you prefer to live in denial. Okay, that is also fine.

 

[Khan12]

Big Bash, PSL, CPL, BPL and MSL are all comparable. However, all of them are light-years behind IPL which is now equal to international cricket. In fact, it is better than bilateral T20 International cricket and on par with the World T20.

Lol. The worshipping.

 

[The Viper]

Phil Salt finally starting a match for Islamabad United.

 

[Saj]

Sussex batsman Phil Salt will join England’s ODI group as a reserve ahead of the Royal London Series against Australia starting on Friday 11 September at Emirates Old Trafford.

He is not available for selection in Sussex’s Bob Willis Trophy fixture against Surrey, which starts today at the Kia Oval.

 

[Wreck_It_Rauf]

Who are we to argue with top batsmen if they if say PSL offers them the toughest bowling challenges. The fact that K. Akmal tops the charts probably validates Salt's point even more. On sub-continent pitches he's a solid limited overs player. He's not a player I'm a fan of but we can't generalise player performances as they have strengths and weaknesses.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If anyone has any doubts about the quality of fast-bowling in the Pakistan Super League, just watch Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL6?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKvLQ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKvLQ</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1366064220308180994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/amucd1" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Comes for his first innings in PSL 7 and plays this shot...

 

[Hectic]

Phil Salt for LQ

9 games
63 runs
9.00 average
114 SR

Guy is rubbish.

 

[James]

Phil Salt for LQ

9 games
63 runs
9.00 average
114 SR

Guy is rubbish.

He’s 25 years old so I don’t think we should write the guy off just yet but to be honest those are really poor numbers.

 

[gazza619]

He’s 25 years old so I don’t think we should write the guy off just yet but to be honest those are really poor numbers.

Absolutely. I have seen this guy play some very decent knocks. He reminds me of Glen Maxwell.

 

[Savak]

Absolutely. I have seen this guy play some very decent knocks. He reminds me of Glen Maxwell.

He didn't show any glimpses in this PSL

 

[shamaan]

His glove work has been good but his batting has been shocking but he still has 1 game left where he can make an impact.

 

[PakEngFan]

Phil Salt for LQ

9 games
63 runs
9.00 average
114 SR

Guy is rubbish.

He would have been dropped if he was a Pakistani. Having said that I have seen him bat a few times he far better then this.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Absolutely. I have seen this guy play some very decent knocks. He reminds me of Glen Maxwell.

Agree with this. Salty has historically struggled in the PSL but I’ve felt he’s turned the corner in this last year. He’s had some good performances for England especially. So, to see him struggle has been annoying. I think they need to play him at 5 and inshAllah he’ll come good.

Also, he’s one of those lads who genuinely seems like he really enjoys playing in Pakistan. Of course he’s here for the pay cheque but he also genuinely loves the experience as well. Going by his interview with Erin after the game today, he also really gets on with his teammates, and that type of dressing room camaraderie really helps the team atmosphere.

Also, a pretty decent keeper.

 

[silentkiller187]

Phil Salt scores his 2nd ODI 50 in the 1st ODI vs Netherlands

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A fine <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilSalt1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhilSalt1</a> ��<br><br>Watch Live: <a href="https://t.co/oHQ2mCZ6bu">https://t.co/oHQ2mCZ6bu</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEDvENG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEDvENG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/IGcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IGcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/f8JSdHnIOq">pic.twitter.com/f8JSdHnIOq</a></p>— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1537740690607591427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[silentkiller187]

Maiden ODI century for Phil Salt

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Maiden hundred for Phil Salt &#55357;&#56495;&#55357;&#56908;<br><br>The England opener gets his first ODI century off 82 balls! <a href="https://t.co/r9ZqfUM3K4">pic.twitter.com/r9ZqfUM3K4</a></p>— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1537753348102815744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

Good lad Phil Salt!

Roy needs to sort his act out, he hasn’t had many scores for a while in an England shirt.

With Bairstow to come back later on in the summer, there will be good competition for places at the top of the order.

 

[MenInG]

England batter Phil Salt says his globetrotting franchise experiences have helped put him in the conversation for a World Cup spot next year.

Salt hit a first one-day international century in England's victory over the Netherlands in the first ODI.

The 25-year-old has had various stints in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean for T20 tournaments.

"That's the massive difference I think - being exposed to that higher level of cricket," Salt said.

"You're playing against top international players and it's the next best thing, to get you ready to play international cricket."

Salt, whose century came off 82 balls as England compiled a record-breaking 498-4 in an emphatic 232-run win against the Dutch, added: "It's always something that I've been taken aback by, almost, in previous years, coming into the England squad - the skill level, the intensity.

"All I can say is that I'm a lot closer to that now than I was a couple of years ago.

"I've only had three ODIs before this series, against Pakistan, and there were some players who played well in that series who missed out. So to be on this trip, I'm very grateful for that. Hopefully I can keep performing and proving them right.

"Every time you put on an England shirt is an honour so I want to keep doing that. It's as simple as knowing that when I get the opportunity, I've got to perform and I've got to do well.

"That's how it's going to work if you want to have a long England career."

'I want to give them a selection headache'

England have not selected multi-format players Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root - all part of their 2019 World Cup-winning side - for this three-match series as they prepare for the third Test against New Zealand next week.

That has allowed new England limited-overs coach Matthew Mott a chance to take a closer look at a group of players pressing their claims to be part of England's squad for the 50-over tournament in India in 16 months' time.

Salt certainly made an impression with his knock of 122 against the Dutch, which included 14 fours and three sixes, as he and Dawid Malan shared a second-wicket stand of 222, laying the platform for Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone's subsequent assault.

Speaking before the second ODI in Amstelveen on Sunday, Salt expressed his determination to keep himself in the frame for the rest of this summer and beyond.

"I know I certainly want to give them a headache," Salt said. "Although I don't know if it will, to be honest - you know, world champions and such a strong XI [when there is] a full-strength side out. But hopefully if I can keep doing stuff like that and keep putting my name in the hat, hopefully I will give the selectors a headache.

"One thing I'm not going to do is look too far ahead and distract myself. If you want to play for [captain] Eoin Morgan, you have to play a certain type of way and he's very clear with that. That's what I'm doing I guess."

BBC

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Made in Lahore. This boyo is quality, the steady hand to the dynamite

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Roy and Bairstow over him any time. He doesn't look comfortable against spin especially on slower ones.

 

[Farabi]

It’s a myth. The quality of bowling in PSL “looks” better largely because of two factors: most of the matches have been played on slow UAE pitches, and the standard of batting in general is very poor.

There are no Indian batsmen and quite a few top class batsmen from other sides are missing as well.

Now that the PSL has been shifted to Pakistan, it is quite likely that the drama of PSL’s so-called world class bowling will be exposed. We have already seen some humongous scores in Karachi.

Play the PSL attacks on IPL pitches against IPL lineups and they will show how great they really are.

I mean, what bowling attack are we talking about? Yes our bowlers have been successful on slow UAE pitches with their cheap bag of tricks, but the overseas pool of bowlers is nothing to talk about.

How can PSL have the best attacks in the world when some of the best bowlers in the world like Bumrah, Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult, Shami etc. are not playing in PSL?

Who are these so-called world class bowlers who make up the attacks?

Before I am inevitably reminded that I should not speak for someone who is playing in the PSL, well I will because he is speaking nonsense.

He probably thinks that way because he is an average batsman who is far from the next big thing in English cricket.

He will never play a Test for England and will be lucky to get 20 ODI/T20I caps in international cricket over the course of his career, and he is also not good enough to get an IPL contract,

which is the highest form of T20 cricket in the game and has the highest standard of batting and bowling, simply because it has, by far, the best pool of players among all the wannabe IPLs like PSL, BBL, CPL, BPL etc.

PSL is an average league that exists because of IPL. Like other franchise leagues, it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mimic a fraction of IPL’s success. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is far from the best at anything, but it doesn’t have to be. It is doing its job as an entertainment product and people should enjoy for what it is.

There is no point of making it what it is not and cannot be.

Fair analysis and aligned.
What about PSL local bowling vs local bowling in other leagues?
Did you see a wider T20 local bowling talent pool in Pakistan (vs say Indian local bowling talent in IPL).

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brilliant from <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilSalt1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhilSalt1</a> <br><br>A lovely shot to the boundary rope <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blast22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blast22</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/lancscricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lancscricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/RYYgjehllN">pic.twitter.com/RYYgjehllN</a></p>— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalityBlast/status/1545489697505529856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>