THE resounding, yet unexpected, success of the Pakistan Super League augurs well for the country in more ways than one. Primarily, it promises to bring a swift change in the game`s fortunes while allowing Pakistan a chance to reassert itself as a leading cricketing nation after a barren period of hardly any international cricket at home since 2009. A much-trumpeted project of the Pakistan Cricket Board which was shelved twice since 2013 owing to reasons of logistics and security concerns, the PSL kept millions in and out of the country riveted for its entire 20-day duration. Capitalising on the game`s tremendous appeal in the region, the PSL created an air of competition that raised the spirits of millions of fans amid the many close contests witnessed in the UAE. The cash-rich league, which had five franchises competing for the title, was eventually won by Islamabad United. The winners, buoyed by the brilliant combination of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and coach Wasim Akram, proved superior to their rivals as they held their nerve in key games to clinch the title. The successful staging of the league also diluted the scepticism of many experts who doubted it would ever see the light of day. Here one must give credit to the persistence of Najam Sethi and his team who worked against heavy odds to make the PSL happen sooner than anticipated.

Having said that, Pakistan`s cricket bosses should guard against becoming too starry-eyed. By holding the league on foreign soil, the PCB is not sending out the ideal message to other cricketing nations that have been reluctant to send their teams to Pakistan in the past decade. While the league has provided valuable exposure to many local players who have had the rare experience of sharing the dressing room with some of the greats of the game, one would ideally like to see the league metamorphose into a major home project. Many critics and former players believe that the country`s cricket will only regain its lost status if the PSL is held on home turf. Their views are vindicated to the extent that no new batting or fast-bowling talents have been unearthed during the competition. It is no secret that the PSL has been inspired by the Indian Premier League and aspires to follow a similar pattern. However, our cricket officials would be well advised to ensure that the promising initiative does not get embroiled in the kind of controversies that dogged the IPL.