PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik of the Barbados Tridents has predicted that the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) will become “huge” after the success of the ongoing inaugural tournament.

“After the IPL and the Big Bash League you can take this as third (in the world) and it is just the first year,” said Malik.

“The response from the West Indies people has been awesome. Whenever you are playing a league it is about people coming to the ground; that is the key to success, and I have seen that here”.

Malik has been one of the stars of the show as the leading batsman with 223 runs from seven innings, as well as three wickets.

His side — led by Kieron Pollard — is getting ready to face Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs in today’s second semi-final.

“People have been coming from everywhere,” said Malik, still only 31 despite being a veteran of 32 Tests, 216 One-Day Internationals and 53 Twenty20 Internationals.

“I was talking to the Jamaica players and they were saying ‘we were not expecting much of a crowd in Jamaica’, but we played there and even in a day game I saw the ground full and energetic.”

The Limacol CPL has been a re-birth for Malik, who slipped out of international reckoning for Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe.

However, during the LCPL preliminary round he has not only been a star with the bat but has also featured prominently with the ball, relishing pitches that have often assisted the slower bowlers.

“I was struggling with my shoulder and my elbow, but I have had surgery for my elbow and I have worked hard in the gym every day,” he said.

“Now I am absolutely fine. I can even bowl 30 overs in one day. I am very happy and I want to play as an all-rounder; that is my priority,” Malik ended.