Author: A Sports

Former Test cricketers Umar Gul and Asad Shafiq are likely to be added to Pakistan’s coaching setup for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, as the team prepares for its first red-ball assignment in several months.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering a revamped coaching panel for the two-match Test series, with Gul expected to take charge as bowling coach, while Shafique is set to be appointed batting coach.

In addition, Abdul Saad is also in line to join the men’s setup as fielding coach, having previously worked with Pakistan’s women’s team in the same role.

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is tipped to lead the coaching group as head coach for the Bangladesh tour, marking a significant shift in the team’s backroom staff.

The Test series, provisionally scheduled from May 8 to 20, will be Pakistan’s first outing in the format since their home series against South Africa in October last year.

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Preparations for the tour are already underway, with an 18-player training camp currently in progress at the National Cricket Academy.

The camp is set to continue until April 20, with selectors closely monitoring performances before finalising the squad.

Pakistan are expected to depart for Bangladesh on May 3, while discussions regarding the final squad composition and support staff appointments remain ongoing.

The red-ball camp features a mix of emerging and experienced domestic performers, including Mohammad Huraira, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Rohail Nazir, as the team looks to build depth ahead of a crucial phase in the ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Players participating in red-ball camp: Afaq Afridi, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Suleman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Naqeebullah, Niaz Khan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Saad Khan, Saifullah Bangash, Sajid Khan, Salman Khan and Waqar Ahmed.

READ: Salman Ali Agha hints at T20I break ahead of ODI World Cup 2027

KARACHI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has indicated that he could step away from the shorter format for a period as he looks to manage his workload and refocus on long-term goals, particularly the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027.

Speaking after Karachi Kings’ clash against Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, the Pakistan T20I captain opened up about his recent struggles and evolving priorities across formats.

Agha admitted that his performances in both franchise and international cricket have not met expectations, prompting him to reassess his approach moving forward.

“There is a lot of concern. I have been thinking that my T20 World Cup did not go the way I wanted, and my PSL has also not been as good as I expected,” he said during the post-match press conference.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The right-handed batter highlighted that Pakistan do not have a packed T20I calendar in the coming months, which could allow him the flexibility to shift focus towards red-ball and 50-over cricket after the PSL concludes.

“I think the World Cup 2027 is still far away. And we don’t have T20Is until December, so after this PSL, the focus will naturally move towards ODIs and Test matches,” he added.

“If I feel that taking a break from T20s will help me prepare better for the ODI World Cup, then I will definitely consider it.”

Salman Ali Agha underlined the significance of the 50-over World Cup in shaping his career ambitions, making it clear that he is prepared to make tough decisions if it enhances his chances of performing on the global stage.

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“The 50-over World Cup is always very special for any player, and it will be special for me as well. If I have to do anything, I will do it to perform well,” he stated.

The upcoming 2027 edition of the tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 14 teams set to compete across multiple venues.

Currently featuring in his first PSL season for Karachi Kings, Agha has endured a modest run, scoring 84 runs in six matches at an average of 14.00, while also picking up three wickets. His struggles were also evident during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed just 60 runs in six innings.

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

Karachi Kings top-order batter Salman Ali Agha blamed the lack of execution for his side’s eight-wicket defeat to Islamabad United in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Kings endured a difficult outing against United, as they were completely outplayed across all departments of the game.

Asked to bat first, Karachi Kings scored 150-6 in 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks remained the top-scorer with 51 from 44 balls, including four boundaries.

Islamabad United chased down the 151-run target in 16 overs, thanks to composed half-centuries from Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway.

Agha reflected on the shortcomings in the post-match press conference, rueing the lackluster performance in every department of the game.

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“We have not played good cricket in all departments,” he told reporters.

“We have won three matches and lost three as well. We still have four matches left, and with one win and one loss, momentum could shift, ” he continued.

The 32-year-old also revealed the reason behind the change in his regular batting spot.

“I am also playing at number three for my franchise team. Because of the left and right-hand combination, I changed my batting position today,” the 32-year-old explained.

Salman Ali Agha mentioned that they might have scored between 170 and 180 runs and could have capitalized on the fielding restrictions.

“We probably did not take momentum from the powerplay. In my opinion, we should have scored around 170 runs. We could not stick to our plans. If we had taken wickets in the powerplay, the result could have been different,” he remarked.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Salman Ali Agha is not having a great tournament, as he has only managed 84 runs in six matches so far.

“I am not converting my twenties into bigger scores, which I should be doing. I know my PSL has not gone well after the T20 World Cup,” he admitted while hinting that he might take a rest from the limited-overs cricket in a bid to focus on the ODI World Cup.

“This year, Pakistan does not have much T20 cricket. If I have to take rest from T20s for the ODI World Cup, I can think about it.  I think a 50-over World Cup is off great importance for every player,” Agha concluded.

READ: Moeen Ali rues batting display after defeat to Islamabad United

KARACHI: Stand-in captain Moeen Ali reflected on Karachi Kings batting and fielding performance following an eight-wicket defeat to Islamabad United.

Kings were limited to 150-6 in 20 overs after they were asked to bat first in PSL 11 clash here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night. Reeza Hendricks remained the top-scorer with a 51 not out from 44 balls, including four boundaries.

In reply, United chased down the target in 16 overs, largely due to half-centuries from Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway.

Minhas made 58 off 36 balls, whereas Conway scored an unbeaten 53 from 36 deliveries.

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For Karachi Kings, Moeen Ali and Hasan Ali picked up one wicket each.

Speaking after the match, Moeen lamented the batting and fielding display, stating that they leaked many runs in the first six overs.

“Just haven’t seemed to bat well and even in the field. We have leaked a lot of runs in the powerplay and I think the batting today was passive and not taking the chances,” he said.

He also highlighted the batters coming down the order while stressing on tactical changes in the upcoming games.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“You got to use the length of the batting line up. Probably me, Khushi [Khushdil Shah] and even Abbas [Abbas Afridi] can come up. We can tactically see what we can do,” he added.

This was the third straight loss for Karachi Kings following their victories in the first three matches.

Karachi Kings will play Multan Sultans on Sunday, April 19, at the same venue.

READ: Sameer Minhas stars as Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Sameer Minhas composed a half-century, and a clinical bowling effort sealed a comfortable eight-wicket win for Islamabad United over Karachi Kings in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Islamabad United chased down the 151-run target in 16 overs, thanks to a strong opening partnership.

Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway made the light work of the chase, adding 93 for the opening wicket in the first 10 overs.

Minhas remained the core aggressor and reached his third half-century in PSL 11. Meanwhile, Conway milked the bowlers around.

Minhas was eventually stumped for a well-made 58 from 36 balls, peppered with 10 fours.  The second wicket was off Mohammad Faiq, who only made five.

At this stage, Islamabad United 110-2 in 12.3 overs.

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With a run a ball required, skipper Shadab Khan and Devon Conway added an unbeaten 43 runs from 21 balls to seal victory for their side.

Shadab made a quick-fire 31 off 16, including two sixes and a four, while Conway’s unbeaten half-century featured six fours and a maximum.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali and Moeen Ali picked one wicket each.

Earlier, Reeza Hendricks’ fifty guided Karachi Kings to a 150-6 in 20 overs.

Asked to bat first, the Kings were jolted early in the form of promoted batter Saad Baig. The left-hander holed out to square leg position after scoring six runs.

Following an early blow, Jason Roy — playing for the first time in PSL 11- built a 62-run partnership with Reeza Hendricks.

Roy batted fluently for his 39 off 27 balls and did not look rusty either. The right-hander struck two sixes and three fours. Meanwhile, Hendricks nudged the bowlers around.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The partnership took the score to 69 in 8.4 overs before Shadab Khan removed Roy, who miscued one and was caught at long-off by Mark Chapman. The third wicket also came in quick time as Salman Ali Agha went back for only four.

With Kings reeling at 77-3, Azam Khan joined hands with Reeza Hendricks and stabilized the innings with a gritty 54-run partnership.

The Kings were ready to go big at the death overs, but Islamabad United’s impressive bowling curtailed the scoring rate.

Azam Khan hit a maximum and three fours on his way to 34 from 29, while Hendricks remained unbeaten on 51 off 44 balls, including four boundaries.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan and Richard Gleeson took two wickets each.

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Head to Head

Kings and United have played each other 24 times, with the latter winning 18 games, while the 2020 winners secured six wins.

Playing XIs

Karachi Kings: Saad Baig, Jason Roy, Reeza Hendricks, Salman Ali Agha, Moeen Ali (c), Khushdil Shah, Azam Khan (wk), Abbas Afridi, Hassan Ali, Adam Zampa, Mir Hamza

Islamabad United: Mohammad Hasnain, Devon Conway (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Chris Green, Muhammad Faiq, Sameer Minhas, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Shadab Khan (c)

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

KARACHI: Hunain Shah and Mohammad Ali combined to rattle Rawalpindiz batting lineup before Irfan Khan and Kusal Perera took Hyderabad Kingsmen over the line in a nervy chase in the 24th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Set mere 122, Hyderabad Kingsmen hit the winning runs on the third ball of the 16th over, losing five wickets in the process.

Hyderabad Kingsmen had a similar start to Rawalpindiz, losing the first three wickets inside the powerplay. After an early hiccup, captain Marnus Labuschagne stabilized the innings with a 39-run partnership alongside Kusal Perera.

As a result, the Kingsmen’s scorecard read 68 in nine overs. However, Rawalpindiz came back into the match with quick wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Saad Masood.

Consequently, Hyderabad Kingsmen were in deep trouble with five down for 69, with Irfan Khan and Kusal  Perera at the fore.

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The duo not only soaked up the pressure but stitched a match-winning 54* run partnership to take their side home. Irfan made 34 from 29 balls with the aid of a six and three fours, whereas Perera remained unbeaten on 32 off 24 balls, striking a six and three fours.

For Rawalpindiz, Asif Afridi picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Pindiz were restricted to 121-9 in 20 overs courtesy after being put in to bat first.

Rawalpindiz had a poor start, losing three wickets in the first five overs. Glenn Maxwell laid the first blow in the shape of Usman Khawaja’s wicket, who was bowled for two.

The second wicket was off Mohammad Rizwan, who was bowled by Mohammad Ali. The skipper’s poor form continued as he made 15 from 16 balls.

Hyderabad Kingsmen bowlers squeezed runs and took wickets at regular intervals. None of the opposition batters stayed for a long time. Sam Billings top-scored with 26 from 22 deliveries, striking a four and a six.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Hunain Shah and Mohammad Ali shared six wickets between them.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (c), Usman Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, and Mohammad Ali.

RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Usman Khawaja, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Abdullah Fazal, Saad Masood (U), Mubasir Khan, Asif Afridi, Ben Sears, and Mohammad Amir

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen all-rounder Glenn Maxwell on Thursday became the second player in T20 cricket history with 10, 000 runs and 200 wickets.

Maxwell reached the milestone during Rawalpindiz clash in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium.

The right-arm off-spinner dismissed compatriot Usman Khawa in the third over, marking his 200th wicket in limited-overs cricket. With this, he joined West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as the other player to reach the mark.

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Players with 10,000 runs and 200 wickets in T20 cricket

• Glenn Maxwell 11009 runs, 200 wickets in 505 matches
• Kieron Pollard 14482 runs, 333 wickets in 735 matches

Notably, his 11,009 runs in T20s were scored at a stunning strike rate of 154.12; meanwhile, his 200 wickets have come at an average of just over 30.

The right-handed batter boasts an impressive T20I record, having scored 2897 runs in 129 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 154.42, including five centuries and 12 half-centuries.

His all-round credentials further strengthen his value, with 49 wickets to his name in the format.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Interestingly, this is Maxwell’s first appearance in the PSL. Yet, despite not producing a standout individual performance so far, his presence seems to have shifted something within the Hyderabad Kingsmen camp.

Before his arrival, the team had lost four matches on the bounce and were struggling at the bottom of the table. However, since Maxwell joined the squad, they have won three consecutive games and climbed to fourth place.

READ: Quetta Gladiators rope in Sri Lanka veteran as Bevon Jacobs replacement

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dedicated Thursday to a breast cancer awareness initiative during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, marking the occasion as ‘Pink Day’ in a bid to use cricket’s platform for a wider social cause.

The campaign forms part of the board’s corporate social responsibility efforts, aiming to spread awareness about one of the most prevalent health challenges facing women in Pakistan.

In the double-header scheduled for today, Hyderabad Kingsmen will take on Rawalpindiz in the first match at 2.30pm PKT, while Karachi Kings and Islamabad United will go head-to-head in the afternoon game.

“The Pink Day will include a brace of activities and initiatives at the National Bank Stadium. All the players of the four teams in action today, the match officials, the PCB officials, the team owners will wear pink caps and ribbons,” the cricket board said in a statement.

The National Bank Stadium will reflect the theme, with pink stumps and specially designed broadcast graphics reinforcing the message.

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Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in Pakistan, accounting for 16.5 per cent of all cancer patients in the country, according to the available online surveys.

One in nine women in Pakistan develops breast cancer, putting the country at the highest rate of occurrence in Asia.

It can be cured and addressed better when society comes together to first raise awareness about the disease and then to stand steadfast with the patients and their families.

The PSL and PCB have organised the Pink Day in partnership with the Pink Ribbon Hospital in Lahore, which is Pakistan’s first Breast Cancer Charity Hospital. The PCB and Pink Ribbon Hospital have also arranged free-of-cost screening for women from 13 to 18 April in Lahore.

At 8pm PKT, the Pakistan Cricket fraternity is set to come together to share their messages and thoughts regarding Breast Cancer Awareness on X using the official hashtag of the day #GoPink.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The fans are also encouraged to express their views and thoughts regarding the Pink Day using the official hashtag.

In a notable gesture, Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana, along with players Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim and Muneeba Ali, will participate in pre-match activities to further highlight the importance of the cause.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer emphasised the league’s commitment to social impact, stating that the platform provides a powerful opportunity to educate the public and stand in solidarity with those affected.

“The HBL Pakistan Super League takes a lot of pride in standing up to raise awareness around breast cancer. Through the vehicle of sport and the sheer popularity of the HBL PSL as a brand, the PCB aims to go above and beyond to fulfil its corporate social responsibility,” he said.

“Through the HBL PSL 11 and this specially arranged Pink Day, we want to not only educate the masses about the disease but also to send out a strong message of solidarity to the patients, their families and the loved ones. We are thankful to the Pink Ribbon Hospital and the whole cricket fraternity for coming together to weave a net of security and empathy for women suffering from this disease in our society.”

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam credited bowlers after his side thumped Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Zalmi registered an eight-wicket win over Gladiators to extend their six-game unbeaten run in the tournament — six wins out of six games.

Sufiyan Muqeem delivered with the ball, scalping a three-wicket haul while Babar Azam made an unbeaten 71* from 51 balls with the aid of 10 fours.

Following this victory, Peshawar Zalmi have consolidated the top spot with 13 points and are on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Babar Azam discussed the conditions and praised the bowlers for delivering successfully throughout the fixtures.

“We assessed the conditions and our bowling attack has been delivering consistently and we were relying on it. It’s a team game, and combined effort is helping us win. We’re keeping the players sitting out ready and that’s why we see them performing well,” he remarked.

He also hailed emerging bowler Mohammad Basit Ali, who took a three-wicket haul.

“Take the example of Basit, who bowled fantastically,” said Babar.

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The skipper also mentioned his own form, noting that he tries to take the game deep to ensure his team crosses the finishing line.

“On my personal form, yes I feel good, when you spend time out in the middle, it gives you confidence and I am trying to carry my confidence and play a winning role. Focus has been on building partnerships and to take the game deep,” he concluded.

Peshawar Zalmi’s next fixture will be against Quetta Gladiators on April 19 at the same venue.

READ: Babar, Muqeem star in dominant win for Peshawar Zalmi