DUBAI // The importance of the first Pakistan Super League (PSL) has not been wasted on James Vince, even if he does admit to losing some things in translation.
The young English batsman is part of the Karachi Kings squad that will begin their PSL campaign when they face Lahore Qalandars at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
Despite having Shahid Afridi and Imran Tahir among his teammates in county cricket in the past, Vince acknowledges his Urdu-language skills are somewhat limited at present.
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As such, he says he has been relying on his Kings teammate and fellow England batsman Ravi Bopara – who is fluent in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi – to help him stay up to speed.
“I don’t understand everything that is going on, but I have got Ravi here who has been translating some things,” Vince said.
“Being the first year, you never know quite what to expect. It has been getting a lot of publicity on Twitter and social media.
“There is a lot of hype around it, there are some good players involved and I can’t wait to get started.”
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Vince may have been among the lesser-known overseas players recruited at the PSL draft, but he is already extremely well briefed on what to expect both from UAE conditions and many of his opponents, too.
He was the leading run-scorer in his debut Twenty20 international series between England and Pakistan here in November, which piqued the interest of the PSL recruiters.
He has been here more or less the whole time since, enjoying a fine harvest of runs for England Lions in matches against the UAE and Pakistan A.
“A change of hotels helped,” Vince said of his three-month stint in Dubai.
“I’m definitely used to this place now. I’ve been loving every minute of it.
“They were my first games for England before Christmas, so I’ve been here for quite a while now, enjoyed it, and I can’t wait for the PSL to start now.”
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