Author: A Sports

Karachi Kings have picked Jason Roy as a replacement for opening batter Muhammad Waseem for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The franchise revealed the signing in a press release, praising the highly experienced batter.

“Karachi Kings are excited to announce the signing of England’s powerhouse opener, Jason Roy, for the PSL 11 season. Roy joins the squad as a replacement for Muhammad Waseem,” the press release wrote.

“Known for his fearless striking and vast experience in the T20 circuit, Roy is no stranger to the HBL PSL, where he has consistently been one of the most destructive overseas batters. His arrival is set to bolster the Kings’ top order as the tournament enters its most critical phase,” it added.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The UAE duo of Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer had earlier left the PSL midway after being recalled by the Emirates Cricket Board to participate in the domestic D50 tournament.

The directive required both players to return immediately and feature in the ongoing 50-over competition in the UAE.

Karachi Kings have also confirmed that the replacement for Khuzaima bin Tanveer will follow in due course.

It is worth mentioning that the 35-year-old Roy represented Quetta Gladiators for five seasons from 2017 to 2024. Overall, he has 38 matches in PSL, amassing 1260 runs at an average of 36.00 with a strike rate of 146.51, including two centuries and eight half-centuries.

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Overall, he has played 470 T20 matches in which Roy has accumulated 10584 runs with the aid of 6 centuries and 69 half-centuries.

Karachi Kings Updated Squad

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Moeen Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Adam Zampa, Reeza Hendricks, Ihsanullah, Jason Roy, Aqib Ilyas, Haroon Arshad, Shahid Aziz, Rizwanullah, Muhammad Hamza, Mir Hamza

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Sufiyan Muqeem and Babar Azam propelled the dominant Peshawar Zalmi to a decisive eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Zalmi chased down a mere target of 154 in 18.3 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam made light work of the chase, adding 75 in 8.4 overs. The former played the core aggressor role while the latter played the second fiddle.

Haris departed after hitting five fours and a six in his 35 from 28 balls.

Following his departure, in-form Kusal Mendis paired up with Babar and stitched a 49-run partnership that threw the Gladiators out of the game. There wasn’t much to cheer for Quetta Gladiators bowlers as Zalmi batters kept them at bay with their stroke play.

Mendis was eventually caught after scoring 21 off 19 balls. Meanwhile, Babar continued to anchor the innings and finished with a boundary.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

He top-scored with 71* from 51 balls laced with 10 fours while Aaron Hardie struck one boundary in his unbeaten 18 from 14 balls.

For Quetta Gladiators, Alzarri Joseph and Saud Shakeel picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi’s spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and pacer Mohammad Basit’s three-wicket haul bundled out Quetta Gladiators for a modest total

Put in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators’ shambolic batting display saw their innings folded for 154 in 20 overs.

The Gladiators lost their promoted opener, Ahsan Ali, for four in the first over.  Following the early wicket, Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw added 35 for the second wicket partnership. The scorecard read 39 when skipper Saud was run out after making 16 from 13 balls.

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Peshawar Zalmi continued to chip away with wickets at regular intervals. Rossouw (26 off 18 balls) was cleaned up by Sufiyan Muqeem, whereas Shamyl Hussain departed for 12.

Consequently, Gladiators were 86-4 in 11.4 overs. The only silver lining was Hassan Nawaz, who top-scored with 37 off 35, including four boundaries.  He was involved in a brief 26-run stand with Khawaja Nafay before getting caught behind.

Nafay could not get going as well and was lbw for 20.

Peshawar Zalmi bowlers squeezed the runs flow and eventually bowled the opposition out on the final ball of the innings.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Top-order batter Rilee Rossouw on Wednesday became the first overseas player to feature in 100 matches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Rossouw reached the landmark while turning out for Quetta Gladiators in PSL.

After this, he became the fourth player overall—after Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman — to complete a century of matches.

Before the match, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer and Quetta Gladiators Owner Nadeem Umar congratulated Rilee Rossouw and presented him with a Gladiators helmet.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Rilee Rossouw has featured in 10 editions of the tournament since 2017. The left-hander has represented Quetta Gladiators for six seasons and Multan Sultans for four seasons in the PSL.

The left-hander has previously represented Quetta Gladiators for six seasons and Multan Sultans for four seasons in the PSL.

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Notably, he is also the fourth-highest run-scorer in the PSL with 2366 runs, with 11 half-centuries and three centuries.

The 36-year-old is also the leading run-scorer among overseas players in the tournament.

Playing XIs 

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Aeron Hardie, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit Ali, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Ahsan Ali, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: England captain Ben Stokes ‘lucky’ to be alive after facial injury

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and decided to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday. 

Head to Head

Zalmi lead the head-to-head with 13 wins, while the Gladiators have won 10 games.

Matches: 24 Peshawar Zalmi 13, Quetta Gladiators 10

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Aaron Hardie, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit Ali, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Ahsan Ali, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: England captain Ben Stokes ‘lucky’ to be alive after facial injury

England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he feels “quite lucky” to be alive after being hit in the face by a cricket ball.

All-rounder Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit by the ball during a net session while he was coaching academy players at his county side Durham in February.

Stokes underwent surgery and is set to play in two first-class County Championship games next month, but he revealed the incident could have been so much worse.

“I copped one straight in the face,” the 34-year-old told the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn’t turn my head round.

“All things considered, although I had pretty major facial surgery to sort it out, it was a bit of a mess under here (cheekbone), I’ve got out quite lucky. So pretty thankful for that.”

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He added: “Obviously it set everything back about a month, five weeks, with getting back to where I wanted to be to play at the start of the season for Durham, but just had to sort of quickly go back to the drawing board and put a plan together to get me ready to play a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer starts.

“At the back end of all that now but it was a pretty scary situation. Thankfully still here and everything’s all right.”

Stokes is expected to be fit to lead England in the first Test of their home season against New Zealand at Lord’s starting on June 4 as they look to recover from their woeful 4-1 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan breaks silence on Iftikhar Ahmed’s strike-rate remark

Pakistan top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan has revealed how criticism from Iftikhar Ahmed on his strike-rate played a pivotal role in reshaping his batting approach, helping him evolve into a more aggressive and modern-day T20 opener.

Speaking in a recent interview, Farhan reflected on a period where he consistently dominated domestic cricket but still struggled to earn recognition at higher levels.

Despite finishing as the leading run-scorer in multiple editions of the National T20 Cup, the right-hander admitted he often felt overlooked.

I finished as the leading run-scorer across the last four seasons of the National T20 Cup, but I was not considered good enough for high-level T20 cricket,” Farhan said, highlighting the frustration he experienced despite his consistency.

A turning point came during a candid dressing-room conversation with Iftikhar, who questioned Farhan’s scoring rate at the top of the order. The remark initially did not sit well with him.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“After the first two seasons, Iftikhar Ahmed told me you cannot play as an opener with a strike rate of 132. I did not like him saying that and found it odd that he was criticising my low strike rate despite me scoring the most runs across two editions,” Farhan recalled.

However, similar advice from coach Abdur Rehman reinforced the need to adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket. Sahibzada Farhan admitted that he initially struggled to understand why strike rate was being prioritised over aggregate runs.

“Abdur Rehman, our coach from Peshawar, also told me that scoring at a strike rate beyond 140 would be beneficial for me. I did not truly understand the logic behind it and thought that being the leading run-scorer should be significant in itself,” he said.

That mindset gradually shifted as he began focusing on power-hitting and increasing his scoring tempo. The opener revealed that he consciously worked towards pushing his strike rate beyond 150, while also targeting dominance in six-hitting charts.

“But I [slowly] realised I need to improve my strike rate and push it closer to 150. I began aiming to be the leading six-hitter in every tournament from that point. I started to practise power-hitting,” he said.

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The results followed quickly. In the 2023 National T20 Cup, Farhan amassed 492 runs at a staggering strike rate of 178.90, smashing 29 sixes in just 12 innings.

He continued that momentum in 2025, where he once again emerged as the leading six-hitter, clearing the ropes 40 times in just seven innings while also scoring three centuries. Overall, he scored 605 runs in only seven innings during the 2025 tournament.

Sahibzada Farhan believes these improvements have translated into performances at higher levels as well, claiming success in international tournaments and franchise cricket through his more aggressive approach.

He also shed light on the work behind the transformation, revealing an intense training routine focused on range-hitting across different match scenarios.

“There is a lot of effort behind my six-hitting. I practise range-hitting with new balls, old balls, and worn-out balls,” he said, adding that such preparation has been key to his evolution as a batter.

READ: Shan Masood to stay Test captain; Sarfaraz Ahmed in line for head coach role

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to continue with Shan Masood as the captain of the Test side, while former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be appointed as the red-ball head coach, according to reliable sources.

An official confirmation regarding both decisions is expected once the schedule for Pakistan’s upcoming Test tour of Bangladesh is finalised.

Sources suggest that the two-match series is tentatively slated to begin on May 8 and May 16, although venues are yet to be confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

If appointed, Sarfaraz Ahmed will take charge of the Test side for the first time, replacing Azhar Mahmood, who had served as interim head coach.

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The role has remained vacant since Azhar’s departure in October 2025, despite his contract initially running until March 2026.

Sarfaraz is expected to continue his responsibilities as a national selector alongside the coaching role.

Meanwhile, the decision to persist with Shan Masood as red-ball captain reflects the board’s emphasis on stability within the longest format.

The left-handed batter was handed the Test leadership in November 2023 and is set to remain at the helm as Pakistan navigate the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

Pakistan are expected to play three Test series in the current cycle, against Bangladesh, the West Indies and England, as they look to build consistency in red-ball cricket.

READ: Fatima Sana requests PCB to launch women’s cricket league

Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana has called on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to introduce a long-awaited women’s franchise league, terming it a crucial step for the development of the game in the country.

Speaking to the media, the 24-year-old all-rounder stressed that the absence of a domestic franchise structure has limited exposure for women cricketers, both locally and internationally.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, she believes the timing is ideal to invest in the future of the women’s game.

“We have long been awaiting the Pakistan Women’s Cricket League,” Fatima said.

“I would request PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to launch our league. It will attract foreign players to Pakistan, while our players will also get opportunities abroad. This will greatly benefit women’s cricket.”

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Fatima also pointed to the global landscape, where leading cricketing nations have already established successful women’s franchise tournaments.

India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), launched in 2023, has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing leagues in the sport, drawing top international talent and significant commercial interest.

Similarly, Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which began in 2015, remains the longest-running women’s franchise competition, while England’s The Hundred has also played a key role in promoting women’s cricket since its introduction in 2021.

The Pakistan skipper underlined that the success of these leagues is closely tied to the rise of their respective national teams, reinforcing her argument that a similar structure is now essential for Pakistan to keep pace with the global game.

READ: Sikandar Raza responds to Imad Wasim’s ‘money motivation’ remark

Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza has broken his silence on remarks made by Imad Wasim last year, firmly dismissing suggestions that financial incentives drove his dramatic return for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 final.

The controversy dates back to the final last year, when Raza made a last-minute arrival at Lahore Qalandars’ camp just minutes before the toss at Gaddafi Stadium.

The 39-year-old had been in England representing Zimbabwe in a one-off Test against England in Nottingham, casting serious doubt over his availability for the title clash.

Despite the tight turnaround, Raza joined the squad in time to feature against Quetta Gladiators and played a decisive role in securing Qalandars’ third PSL title. Chasing a tricky target, he held his nerve in the final over, smashing a boundary and a six to seal a memorable victory with one ball remaining.

However, his commitment was questioned soon after when Imad Wasim, during an interview, suggested that financial rewards often influence such decisions.

Referring broadly to the demands of franchise cricket, he had remarked that “money can make different things happen,” implying that players are willing to travel extensively and endure fatigue for lucrative opportunities.

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“Like Shoaib Akhtar said, money can do things for you,” Imad had remarked.

“If you’re getting paid, you’ll go. I travel a lot too. Sometimes one match ends, and the next day you’re playing another. I have travelled 24 hours straight and gone directly into a match. So yes, money can make different things happen.”

Sikandar Raza has now responded to those comments, making it clear that his decision was rooted in values beyond financial gain. Speaking in a recent interview, the Sialkot-born all-rounder emphasised that respect, honour, and loyalty were the driving forces behind his return.

“Regarding Imad Wasim’s comments about money being my motivation to return and play the PSL final — money was not the motivating factor,” Raza said. “My priorities are respect, honour, and loyalty.”

He further revealed that his participation in the final actually came at a financial cost, as he incurred deductions for the matches he had missed earlier in the tournament.

“In fact, money was deducted from my contract for the matches I missed, so his opinion doesn’t bother me because it isn’t true,” Raza said.

READ: Lahore Qalandars confirm return to Global Super League in Guyana

Reigning Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Lahore Qalandars are set to take their brand of cricket to the global stage once again, with the franchise confirming participation in the Global Super League (GSL) 2026 in Guyana.

The tournament is scheduled to run from July 23 to August 1, with all matches set to be played at Providence Stadium.

The upcoming edition will mark the Qalandars’ second appearance in the competition, having previously featured in the inaugural 2024 season, where they finished fourth in a five-team contest.

Qalandars owner Sameen Rana expressed excitement over the team’s return, highlighting the importance of the platform in expanding the franchise’s global footprint.

He noted that the GSL offers an opportunity not only to compete at a high level but also to showcase the team’s culture and long-term vision, particularly their widely recognised player development programme.

“We are delighted to return to the [Global Super League]. The inaugural edition was a fantastic platform for high-quality cricket and meaningful global engagement, and we are proud to once again represent Pakistan on this stage,” said Rana.

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“Lahore Qalandars has always stood for pushing boundaries and this tournament allows us to showcase our talent, our culture, and our ambition to a global audience. I am particularly excited to bring our exciting Player Development Program talent to the GSL this year,” he added.

The tournament has also received a strong endorsement from GSL chairman Clive Lloyd, who welcomed the Qalandars back and praised their growing stature in franchise cricket.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lahore Qalandars back to the Global Super League. They are one of the most dynamic and successful T20 franchises in world cricket, with a passionate fan base and a proven track record of excellence,” Lloyd stated.

“Their participation significantly enhances the quality and profile of the tournament, and we look forward to seeing them compete at the highest level once again.”

The 2026 edition will be the third instalment of the Global Super League (GSL) and will feature five teams from different cricketing regions competing across 11 matches.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will enter the tournament as defending champions.

READ: Pakistan fast bowler set to join Yorkshire for T20 Blast