New Delhi, 12 September 2026: Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram has raised serious questions against the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the country's local cricket structure. Citing the example of India's young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Akram admitted that despite 10 years having passed since the inception of the PSL, the league has failed to find special batting talent at the global level compared to India's IPL.
During an interview, Akram had said that, at the age of just 15, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his mark by performing brilliantly in the IPL and then also made his debut in international cricket for the Indian team against England. According to Akram, the way India promotes young batting talent, a similar system is not seen in Pakistan. Good bowlers have definitely been found in PSL, but in the last 10 years, not a single explosive batsman has been found who has earned name at the international level.
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Advice to strengthen club cricket
Advising the Pakistan Cricket Board, Wasim Akram had said that if Pakistan wants to improve red ball (Test) cricket and its talent pipeline, then club cricket will have to be revived in cities like Karachi and Lahore. The foundation of young players gets strengthened only through club cricket.
It is noteworthy that Wasim Akram has been the bowling coach and mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL, while he has also been associated with various franchises in PSL. Therefore, he has deep experience about the structure of both the leagues.