David Wiese, a South African-Namibian all-rounder for the Lahore Qalandars, said that playing in front of an excited crowd in Lahore is something that can’t be described in words and must be done in person. This is something that must be done in person.
The 36-year-old told Geo News in an exclusive interview that although Multan performed well throughout the competition and may be the favourite for the final, he would also want to replicate his performance against Islamabad United in order to help Lahore qualify for the final.
“They’ve been the tournament’s top team,” he said. They’ve crushed a lot of teams and deserve to be in this position, but we’re the only team in the tournament to have defeated them so far. They will be favourites, but in T20 cricket, anything can happen; one player may have a blinding day, have a brilliant day, and win the game all by himself.
“It’s going to be a fantastic game, and I’m anticipating that the stadium will be filled once again, and the public will rally behind us. And it’s going to be an incredible experience, “he said.
When questioned about his experience playing in front of a sold-out, applauding, and energised Lahore crowd, the flashy all-rounder said that it was an incredible sensation that he could not put into words.
It’s one of those things that you can’t really express unless someone experiences it for themselves. The enthusiasm and support you get from the people is incredible. When the pressure is on, you can almost feel everyone supporting you, which gives you that sense of security that everyone is rooting for you. And it’s an incredible experience, “he said.
David was named man of the match in the Qalandars’ eliminator 2 victory against Islamabad United on Friday night. His all-around effort with the bat and the ball helped the Qalandars reach the finals against the Multan Sultans.
The batsman is hopeful of replicating his exploits against the Sultans but hopes he is not called upon to bat and the top order takes care of business smoothly.
I wish I could replicate that performance every time I get to play, but given how infrequently I get to play, it’s not realistic.And, to be really candid, if I am not given a chance to bat, it implies that we are doing well and the others are scoring runs, he said.
David said that if given the chance, he would seize it and contribute significantly to the team’s success. He said, though, that he would be satisfied regardless of the outcome as long as the squad performed well.
Recalling his performance on Friday, he said that he was well aware that his side was short of runs and that Qalandars needed a huge over to produce a defendable total on that wicket.
He also lauded Lahore’s new captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, saying he has been fantastic in his early years as a captain and sets an excellent example by leading from the front.
He continued by stating that Shaheen is responsible for the early overs with the new ball and then assumes control of the death overs. David said that he is also not hesitant to seek advice from more seasoned players if he is unsure about anything.
When asked about the Pakistan Super League and the Lahore Qalandars, the all-rounder said it’s amazing to see how the competition and team keep producing great bowlers year after year.
According to David, what makes the PSL different from other leagues is that there is a lot of young talent, especially quick bowlers.
“The league is unquestionably one of the best in the world,” said the former South African cricketer who now plays for Namibia.
Each year, we return for a new edition of the PSL, and the Qalandars have discovered a new developing talent. It’s incredible what Zaman Khan has accomplished for us. He is in his maiden season in the PSL. He has bowled the difficult overs. He is very special. He has an air of uniqueness about him. “I’m sure he has a bright career ahead of him,” he said.
