Lanka T20 cricketer Kapugedera bats for Pakistan Super League

Sri Lankan cricketer Chamara Kapugedera believes the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which has attracted West Indian stars Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo has the potential to become one of the top T20 Leagues in the world.

Kapugedera is looking forward to playing in the PSL in Doha in February 2016 ahead of the World Twenty20 to be held in India the following month.

A hard hitting right-hand batsman, Kapugedera was recalled to the Sri Lanka T20 squad after three years for the two-match series against Pakistan.

"The PSL in my view has the potential to become a top league and most of all, it will help in developing new talent for Pakistan just like it has done for the other countries. It should provide great exposure for the younger and inexperienced Pakistan players. They will be able to play alongside the top international players and learn from that experience," said Kapugedera in an interview with PakPassion.net.

"Yes, I am very interested in playing in the PSL and my representative has already made contact with the PSL management on this issue. Honestly speaking, it’s a great opportunity to play alongside some of the better international and domestic players and I am hoping that I can get a contract to participate in this tournament," said the 28-year-old journeyman who has featured in T20 leagues around world including the Caribbean Premier League and Big Bash.

"Holding this tournament in Doha is a good start as once it’s established then maybe it can be moved to Pakistan at a later stage when circumstances allow it. Once that happens then it will show to the world that Pakistan is a safe country for cricket and regular international cricket can resume there," said Kapugedera who was part  of the Sri Lanka squad for the ill-fated tour of Pakistan in 2009.

"For the moment, let the tournament happen in Doha and take it from there. It wouldn’t even be a bad idea to play a few games of the PSL in Pakistan and if I am participating in the PSL, I certainly would put my hand up if the one of the franchises wanted me to play there. That wouldn’t be a bad idea at all,"  said Kapugedera who has no qualms of returning to Pakistan to ply his trade.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), owners of PSL, are seeking at least 25 overseas players for the tournament, according to a report in espncricinfo.com.

The first edition of PSL will feature five franchise-based teams from the provincial capitals - Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad - with prize money of $1 million.

The tournament is scheduled to run from February 4 to 24 and will feature 24 matches.

The PCB had originally wanted to conduct the PSL in the UAE, where Pakistan have been playing their international matches.

But they were forced to look for an alternative venue after being told by the Emirates Cricket Board that it was hosting the Masters Champions league (Twenty20 tournament featuring retired cricketers) on same dates.

The PSL matches will be played at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of about 13,000. Last year it was used for a women's limited-overs tri-series involving Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Former Pakistan captains Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram have been roped in as ambassadors for the first season of PSL.
 

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