It doesn’t take long to spot quality when you’re out in the middle—and Kusal Mendis has already seen enough in just two Pakistan Super League (PSL) games to call it like it is.
The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter, who’s playing in the PSL for the first time, is clearly impressed. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Mendis had nothing but praise for the fast bowling talent in PSL 10.
“I’ve played in the Lanka Premier League and SA20, but this is my first time in the PSL. The fast bowlers here are of high quality,” he said with a smile.
And honestly, he’s not wrong. PSL has built its brand on the back of fierce fast bowling—think Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and more.
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For a foreign batter walking into these conditions, it’s a trial by fire. Mendis, however, seems up for the challenge.
Mendis hit the ground running. In his debut game for Quetta Gladiators, he smashed 35 off just 14 balls* against Peshawar Zalmi, helping his side to a commanding 80-run win. Not bad for a first impression.
In the next match, though, things got a bit tricky. Facing the Lahore Qalandars, Quetta collapsed under pressure.
Mendis did show some early intent, scoring 28 off 14, but fell to a fiery spell by Haris Rauf. Quetta eventually suffered a 79-run loss—a big blow, but not the end of the road.
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When asked about the batting-friendly pitches in Pakistan, Mendis was upbeat.
“The conditions here suit batting, and I’ve been working on my power game back in Sri Lanka. It’s exciting to perform in such conditions,” he shared.
He also added that he’s open to any batting position, saying, “In domestic cricket, I’ve batted lower down the order as well. I don’t mind batting at any number, depending on the team’s requirements.”
Two matches in, and Kusal Mendis has shown promise. He’s attacking, confident, and eager to learn. More importantly, he’s blending well in the tournament.
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