Shoaib Akhtar wants new PSL franchise named ‘Pindi Express’

Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has made a strong case for the introduction of a new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise next season called ‘Pindi Express.’

Appearing on a PSL special show alongside fellow Rawalpindi product Sohail Tanvir, Akhtar didn’t hold back in lobbying for his hometown to finally get its own representation in the league.

With the PSL set to expand to eight teams from the next season, according to the league’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salman Naseer, Akhtar believes the timing couldn’t be better.

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“The city breathes cricket,” said the world’s fastest bowler. “With the kind of talent Rawalpindi has produced over the years, it’s only fitting that it gets its own PSL team.”

And if it happens, Akhtar has already picked the name. “It has to be Pindi Express,” he declared. “You must vouch for this hashtag for me.”

Shoaib Akhtar, who famously clocked 161.3 km/h and earned the nickname Rawalpindi Express, said naming the team after his iconic moniker would be a tribute to his career but also to the city’s cricketing legacy.

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“Pindi is the city of princes,” he said. “It’s full of extraordinary talent.”

From himself to Mohammad Wasim and Haris Rauf, Rawalpindi has produced its fair share of world-class cricketers.

Not to mention the role the city has already played in the league, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has become a PSL favorite in recent years, known for its high-scoring thrillers and packed stands.

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