I can’t wait to return to Pakistan for remaining PSL matches: Ben Dunk

LAHORE (Monitoring Desk): Lahore Qalandars hard-hitting batsman Ben Dunk is looking forward to return to Pakistan later this year, for the remaining matches of the now-suspended fifth season of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The tournament was postponed indefinitely, before the knockout stage, due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) fears. While speaking in a video chat from his home in Australia, Dunk said that Qalandars had some serious momentum going in to the playoffs and wants to continue from where they left once the tournament resumes.

“Our team was on a roll. Chris Lynn scored that wonderful hundred in the game before the playoff. Hopefully later this year, we can all get back together and play these next two games and walk away with the trophy,” Dunk said. “There are some serious things that we have to resolve around the world before the playoffs go ahead, but I have no qualms and in fact I can’t wait to get back and play those playoff games at some stage in near future.”

The left-hand batsman heaped praise on his Qalandars teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi and is expecting great things from the pacer in the T20 World Cup later this year.

“Shaheen is one of the best T20 bowlers that I have seen anywhere in the world at the moment,” he said. “He is dangerous with the new ball as he swings it both ways and then comes back at the death and bowls really good Yorkers and slower balls. I am excited to see him here in Australia in T20 World Cup as he could easily be the player of the tournament.”

Dunk also revealed the toughest bowler he faced during the fifth season of HBL PSL. “I know Wahab [Riaz] is getting older, but he is certainly not losing any of his pace,” he said. “He has got so many tricks and always seems to be one step ahead, so I think Wahab is an unbelievable bowler and someone very difficult to face. He is certainly a legend of the game and I love coming up against him as I know I have to play my best cricket against him.”

The 33-year-old also appreciated the Qalandars fans for backing the team through thick and thin and for turning up in huge numbers for their matches. “The crowds all across Pakistan were amazing, but the stand out for me was Lahore,” he said. “The two games in where I did well there against Quetta and Karachi, the crowd was amazing and it was probably one of the loudest cheers and atmosphere that I have heard anywhere in the world. So I would like to thank our fans for their support throughout the tournament.”