KARACHI (PPI): Islamabad United’s Luke Ronchi cherishes the memory of winning the HBL PSL trophy after winning the event’s final in Karachi, where he felt ‘the energy in the city was amazing’.
The wicket-keeper opening batsman from New Zealand topped the batting charts in the third HBL PSL with 435 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 182.00.
Ronchi was the backbone of Islamabad United’s second title as he scored five half-centuries in 11 innings, including 52 off 26 balls in the final against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi.
“There was a lot of excitement all around when we landed in Karachi for the HBL PSL final last year. The energy in the city was amazing and it felt like we were part of a big festival,” Ronchi recalls.
Karachi is all set to host five PSL matches this season along with the all important final. Lahore will be hosting three matches while the rest of the total of 34 matches will be held in UAE.
“Winning the HBL PSL trophy for Islamabad United in Karachi is a memory that I will cherish for a long time. The game got pretty close for our liking in the end, but it was nice to see the fans getting to watch some exciting cricket,” he added. Ronchi is one of the 77 foreign international cricket stars who have participated in the PSL over the past three editions.
Meanwhile, Daren Sammy – the Peshawar Zalmi skipper says he has a very special relationship with Pakistan. “I have a very special relationship with Pakistan and every time I interact with Pakistani fans or play in front of them, it just fills my heart with so much joy.”
The West Indies all-rounder took over the leadership duties in the second HBL PSL in 2017 and in his very first assignment as captain, won the title for Zalmi in the historic final in Lahore.
“When we all took that first step with the HBL PSL 2017 final in Lahore, we knew we were doing something much more important than just playing a game of cricket. From that point onwards, we have seen a slow but very steady return of high-profile cricket to Pakistan.
“Seeing young kids in Pakistan enjoying the game at the stadium learning a thing or two from some of us cricketers and then going on to be a part of the next generation of cricketers is just a beautiful feeling. I am just very glad that I was able to play a small but meaningful role in this entire process.”
Karachi Kings’ Ravi Bopara cherishes his experience in Lahore. “The energy in Lahore last year was amazing. I cannot forget how the fans welcomed us with open arms and all of them – young and old – had incredible passion for the game.
“I remember it rained a lot before our game against Zalmi and the organisers brought in helicopters to get the field ready. That is how much it meant to them.”
The England all-rounder was the most talked about overseas cricketer in the inaugural edition of HBL PSL in 2016. Bopara finished the tournament with 329 runs and 11 wickets, the highlight being his 43-ball 71 not out innings followed by six wickets for 16 runs against Lahore Qalandars in Sharjah. He also took three wickets in the Eliminator against Zalmi in Lahore last year.
