10 International stars to watch out for in PSL

The inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2016 begins on 4th February and will feature 5 teams and a tournament format with a double round-robin group stage, two qualifiers and an eliminator to decide the finalists. It features some big names from international cricket. The overseas player’s are sure to generate huge excitement amongst the fans that will be cheering them on. Let’s have a look at 10 stars that may have a huge impact on this year’s PSL. 1. Chris Gayle (Lahore Qalandars): Chris Gayle. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The one word that fittingly describes this man is ‘BIG’- Big man, big entertainer and a big crowd-puller. Arguably the hardest hitter of the cricket ball in modern day cricket, Gayle is a match-winner like none. The T20 format suits his style of batting and he is without a doubt the greatest batsman in this format. A veteran of 234 T20s playing in leagues around the world he has scored 8623 runs at an average of 43.77; a remarkable record in the shortest format of the game. 2. Dwayne Bravo (Lahore Qalandars): Dwayne Bravo CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) Bravo symbolizes the free flowing spirit of West Indian cricket. He can sing, he can dance and he can hammer the ball to all parts of the ground. He is a clever bowler as well who is adept at breaking partnerships. He has played 277 T20s and scored 4492 runs at an average of 26.73. His bowling has produced 285 wickets at 23.94 and an economy rate of 8.00. Bravo’s skills and self-confidence at the big stage will help the Lahore outfit in crunch situations. 3. Andre Russell (Islamabad United): Andre Russell KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) The West Indian all-rounder has in recent times become a genuine match-winner. An ability to score runs under pressure has become his forte. A huge hitter of the ball he is also a fine fast bowler. One of the most sought after all-rounders in T20 leagues around the world, Russell has played 178 T20s scoring 2585 runs and taken 142 wickets. The Jamaican is also a brilliant fielder and hence contributes in every department for his team. 4. Kumar Sangakkara (Quetta Gladiators): (Photo Source: BCB) The Sri Lankan legend is one of the greatest players to have graced the game. He recently retired from international cricket, however, continued to feature in County cricket and has been in fine touch. Sanga did reasonably well in the Bangladesh Premier League and Big Bash League. The elegant left-hander is a master tactician and will bring in all his experience for the Quetta outfit. He has played 182 T20s and scored 4668 runs at an average of 29.54. 5. Shane Watson (Islamabad United): Shane Watson of Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) At the crease Watson is an aggressive brute with a broad chest, a right-handed disciple of Matthew Hayden, and someone who often doesn’t need to follow-through to gain a boundary. However, his drives and pulls are delivered in a much smoother style. He has always been a dangerous striker in the shorter formats. As a bowler, Watson has a knack of picking up wickets at crucial times. He has played 168 T20s scoring 4493 runs and taken 133 wickets. 6. Kevin Pietersen (Quetta Gladiators): Kevin Pietersen. (Photo by Robert Cianflone – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The Englishman will be available for the entire duration of the PSL being no longer a part of the England team. A popular player, KP has been in superb form playing T20 around the world. When in flow KP is an absolute delight to watch. From the switch hit to an upgraded version of the MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot, the batting arsenal of one of cricket’s greatest showmen has been on full display in recent times. Overall he has played 146 T20s scoring 4263 runs at an average of 35.23. 7. Cameroon Delport (Lahore Qalandars): (Photo Source: BCCI) The 26-year-old South African is a big-hitting left-hand batsman who is also capable of bowling medium pace. He has played in the Big Bash League (Sydney Thunder) and the Caribbean Premier League (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel), and slammed 34 off 9 for Dolphins to briefly threaten Chennai Super Kings during a massive chase in the 2014 Champions League T20 – he finished that tournament with a strike rate of 280. His 80 T20 appearances have produced 1818 runs and 19 wickets. 8. Kevon Cooper (Lahore Qalandars): Kevon Cooper. (Photo Source: BCB) Cooper is a T20 specialist who plays around the globe – he has already plied his trade in the IPL, the Bangladesh Premier League and the CPL. The 26-year-old Trinidadian has played 122 T20 games and taken 145 wickets. He was recently a part of the Barisal Bulls squad that finished runners-up in the BPL, and was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 wickets at an average of 9.31 and an economy rate under six. Cooper can also whack a few big sixes down the order. 9. James Vince (Karachi Kings): James Vince of England . (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Hampshire captain James Vince is a stylish, classy batsman who recently made hisT20I debut for England against Pakistan, a few months after debuting in ODI cricket. He showed flair and considerable nous in making scores of 41, 38 and 46 in the three-match T20 series and finished as the highest scorer from either side. He has played 104 T20s and scored 2717 runs at an average of 30.87. Former England coach Duncan Fletcher once compared Vince’s batsmanship to that of former England captain, Michael Vaughan. 10. Dawid Malan (Peshawar Zalmi): Dawid Malan of Middlesex. (Photo by Mitchell Gunn/Getty Images) Dawid Malan is an aggressive left-handed batsman of power, panache and obvious class. His progress has been undermined by inconsistency and a penchant for soft dismissals, but he came to the fore in spectacular style in 2015 when he set career-bests with big hundreds in all three formats of the game. He continued his productive few months for England Lions as his recent 114 set-up a 69-run victory against Pakistan A in Dubai. He has played 97 T20s scoring 2513 runs at an average of 34.90 and his leg-break has accounted for 19 wickets.

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