LAHORE: Former New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott and prominent commentator Danny Morrison arrived here on Tuesday ahead of Lahore Qalandars’ Rising Stars matches.
Addressing a press conference along with Lahore Qalandars owner Rana Fawad and Director of Cricket Aqib Javed, Elliott and Morrison heaped praise on the PSL franchise’s grass-roots talent development program.
Qalandars star Elliott, best remembered for his ‘Bat Drop’ moment during PSL 2017, said the franchise’s efforts to hunt and develop raw cricketing talent in far-flung areas of the country are commendable.
“The Jazz Rising Stars is a program that has given back to cricket,” he said.
Responding to a question from this correspondent, Elliott said it is “one of the greatest initiatives” he has been involved in, and he is honoured to be a part of it.
“To me, it is one of the greatest initiatives I have ever been involved in. Credit to the Rana brothers.. who would have thought we’d find someone like Yasir Jan who can bowl with both arms,” the all-rounder said, referring to the young ambidextrous bowler discovered during the Qalandars program last year.
“T20 cricket is innovative and exciting, and this [Rising Stars] program is exciting. It stands for everything the word ‘Qalandars’ stands for,” Elliott said.
“It is enabling young talent to achieve their dreams, to access opportunities like playing in Australia, training with world-class facilities.”
Even if the youngsters don’t make it to top level cricket, this experience would still change their lives, Elliott added.
Bahawalpur Rising Stars will take on Layyah in the first Pool-B match as the Rising Stars tournament resumes in Lahore today.
