Author: Muzamil Asif

When the two most followed franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars meet, fans across the country stick in front of their Tv screens. 

Also known as El Clasico of PSL, Kings vs Qalandars rivalry is the most followed one in the fastest growing franchise cricket league, PSL. The two opponents will meet for the first time under their new captains, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi in sixth match of PSL 7.

Babar-Shaheen are the two most followed cricketers of current era. When the two captains come against each other today, surely it would be perfect entertainment for not only limited capacity crowd in the National stadium but millions of PSL followers across the world.

The two teams haven’t won a match in the league as of yet. Kings have lost both of their matches whereas Qalandars lost their opening game against Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday. It means the arch-rivals will take on the ground in search of a much-needed victory.

HEAD TO HEAD

In last five outings, Kings have won three while Qalandars managed to win two. An exciting contest awaits cricket fans today.

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KARACHI: Traffic Police of Sindh has revealed traffic plan for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, scheduled to start on January 27 here at National Stadium. 

According to the plan, except for one track of Sir Shah Suleman Road, all linked roads to the National Stadium will be opened for public traffic. The decision was taken for public convenience.

Meanwhile, Sindh Security division shared the security plan for the matches. As many as 5650 security personals will be deployed around the stadium. Spectators are advised to bring their original CNIC and vaccination certificate to enter the stadium.

Parking for spectators have been arranged at Hakeem Saeed Ground. Shuttle service will be available for their commute to the stadium.

NCOC had allowed up to 8,000 fans to watch each match live from the stands at NSK. The event will start on January 27 with a short opening ceremony followed by opening encounter between Karachi Kings and defending champions Multan Sultans.

READ: Shahid Afridi likely to miss initial matches of PSL 7

KARACHI: With the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just around the corner, preparations have been raced up here at National Stadium.

A short but glittering opening ceremony will be held before home side Karachi Kings take on defending champions Multan Sultans in the opening match. PSL 7 official anthem singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig will perform in the event alongside some foreign paragliders lined up to show their stunts.

The stage for the opening ceremony has been prepared here with official tagline ‘#LevelHai’. Other preparations for the event are also in full swing.

According to the details, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja will address at the opening ceremony. Also, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s inauguration video will be played in the ceremony.

READ: National Stadium lights up ahead of the PSL 7

KARACHI: Skipper Babar Azam remained not out for 48 as Karachi Kings held drew against Islamabad United in a revised target practice match here on Tuesday. 

While batting first, United posted 150-5 thanks to Waseem Jr’s quick 33 not out off 20 balls. Danish Aziz smashed 26 runs off 18 balls to help his team make a mark on the scoreboard.

For Kings, Mohamamd Nabi, Umaid Asi, Amir Yamin, Mohammad Ilyas and Imran Jr bagged a wicket each.

In reply, Kings were given a revised target which was followed by a draw. Kings scored 164 for the loss of one wicket in 20 overs. Babar was retired after scoring 48 runs followed by Sharjeel Khan’s 46 off 41.

Joe Clarke made 31 off 21 and Nabi finished off well with 15 off seven deliveries.

KARACHI: Head coach Karachi Kings – Peter Moores is looking forward to working with the number-one T20I batter – Babar Azam in the upcoming seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).

While talking to ARY Sports, Moores praised Babar’ batting technique and termed it as an exciting opportunity for him to work with him.

” It is always exceptional to watch Babar Azam play. Yes, it is an exciting opportunity for me and I am looking forward to working with him,” Moores said.

'Excited to work with the likes of Babar Azam, Amir and Imad. Also, youngsters in this team excite me' Karachi Kings' head coach Peter Moores

WATCH COMPLETE: https://t.co/GCwDmfvsHx#ARYSports #KarachiKings #PSL7 #LevelHai pic.twitter.com/rxeEHbHpy3

— ARY Sports (@ARYSports_Web) January 18, 2022

Moores also discussed that he is currently working on the team plans, however, he wants the Kings to play aggressive cricket.

ٰ”I am currently working on the team plans. We have to play aggressive cricket and will make the Kings fans happy with our performance,” Moores said.

“We have the opportunity to utilize all the players. We have to play well with both bat and ball,” he said.

Moores also praised the HBL PSL, termed it as a quality league and among the bests.

Dougie Brown, Kings’s assistant coach, on the other hand, said it is good to face the tough teams in the early stages while talking about the Kings’ opening match against the defending champions Multan Sultans.

Brown, however, also said that every match is important for the Kings.

READ: Mohammad Hasnain to undergo bowling test over suspected action

KARACHI: Ubaid Lefty smashed 49 off 16 balls to lay down a solid foundation for FB Fighters to win their maiden match by six wickets against Gulshan Gohars in Karachi Tapeball Premier League (KTPL) season 1 here at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.

Asked to bat first in fifth match of the tournament here on Monday, Gulshan Gohars scored 86-2 in given six overs. Bahadur Ali smashed 21 off six balls including two sixes and as many fours whereas Habib made 26 with the help of three sixes and a boundary.

Shafiq ur Rehman bagged two wickets for Fighters.

In reply, Fighters got the support of Ubaid who smashed seven maximums and a boundary to score unbeaten 49. Wasim Appu was the other prominent scorer with his 23 off 10 laced with three sixes.

Fighters scored 109-5 to gain 23 runs lead. For Gohars, Talha bagged two whereas Wasim managed one.

Gohars set Fighters to chase 66 after scoring 88-3 in their second innings. Habib scored highest 37, accounting for four boundaries and two sixes.

Ali and Rais bagged a wicket each for Fighters.

Set to chase 66 runs, Fighters’ opener Imran Shah (20) and experience batter Aslam Ashka (16) helped their team chase the target with six wickets in hands.

For Gohars, Adil managed to take two wickets while Wasim bagged one.

KARACHI: Malir Malangs and Johar Jawans won their opening matches in Karachi Tapeball Premier League (KTPL) season 1 that commenced here at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium on Saturday.

In the opening match of the event, Malir Malangs beat FB Fighters by nine wickets to start their campaign on a winning note.

Batting first, Fighters put up 81 for the loss of two wickets thanks to Obaid Lefty’s eye-catching 44 runs off 20 balls laced with five sixes and two boundaries. Mohammad Usama made eight.

For Malangs, Mohammad Ali Khan and Ubaid-ur-Rehman took a wicket each.
In reply, Malangs chased the given total with five balls to spare and took 15 runs lead over Fighters.

Mukhtiar Chachar smashed 66 runs off 23 balls. Shafiq took two while Ali Sher Khan managed to take a wicket for Fighter.

In their second innings, Fighters completed opponents’ lead and managed to score just 55 runs. Wasim Appu scored highest 33 with the help of two boundaries and three sixes.

Ali and Ubaid once again shined with the bowl for Malangs as they took two wickets each.
In the end, Malangs chased down 56 with nine wickets in hand credit to Chachar who scored 20 off 10.

In another match of Day 1, Johar Jawans defeated Gulshan Gohars by 21 runs. Tasawar scored well fought 39 to help Jawans post 94-6 in first innings. Waseem took four wickets for Gohars.

Gohars then managed to score 59 for the loss of five wickets, setting up Jawans to lead by 35 runs.

Keeping an upper hand over the opponents, Jawans added 54 runs to the lead that put Gohars to chase 90 runs in six overs.

Hassan Raza’s XI fell apart after scoring 68 runs for four wickets. Bahadur made highest 34. For Jawans, Faisal Tahir bagged three while Jahangir took a wicket.

KARACHI: The first-ever Karachi Tapeball Premier League (KTPL) is all set to roll into action on Saturday here at Asghar Ali Shah Cricket Stadium. 

An eight-team tournament will catch the major limelight in the country’s cricket fraternity as it joins hands with few of the biggest international cricket stars including Pakistan’s former Test captain Javed Miandad (president), Haroon Rasheed, Tauseef Ahmed and Sadiq Mohammad (senior vice-presidents).

The tournament will start with a glittering opening ceremony in which Pakistan’s popular singer Sahir Ali Bagga will perform.

The list of competitive franchises includes FB Fighters, Clifton Ghazi, DHA Dabang, Lyari Legends, North Nawab, Gulshan Gohar, Malir Malangs, and Johar Jawans. The strong squads, under the captaincy of international cricketers including Hassan Raza, Mohammad Sami, and Shabbir Ahmed, are ready to lock horns in a much-awaited 16-day tournament that concludes on 16th January.

KTPL’s chairman Zohair Naseer is confident that the league will introduce a whole different map of tape ball cricket in the country. “We have come up with this exclusive idea of introducing tape ball cricket at such a high level. I am sure, nobody has ever seen such type of tournament played by a tennis ball,” he said.

“Cricketers like Javed Miandad, Haroon Rasheed, Tauseef Ahmed, and Sadiq Mohammad are the real faces of this league’s success. I hope that we make this league successful and give our youth ample opportunities through this platform,” he added.

KTPL’S President, Javed Miandad also expressed his excitement to see this fun-cum-nervous form of the game. “I am happy to see tape ball getting a platform to show its unique colors to cricket fans across the country. I must congratulate KTPL’s management for this wonderful initiative and I pray for its success,” the former captain said.

Remember, President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi launched KPTL in a grand ceremony held at President’s House last month. On the occasion, President Alvi congratulated KTPL’s management and assured all-out support for tape ball cricket.

READ: PM Khan approves construction of stadium in Islamabad

KARACHI: Pakistan team’s chief selector, Mohammad Wasim said he is open to constructive criticism otherwise he has a mute option on social media.

Speaking exclusively to A Sports HD on the sidelines of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final here at National Stadium, Wasim said there is no question on his selection on the basis of social media influence.

“I am open to criticism which is constructive and I try to learn from it,” Wasim shared. “I don’t use social media too much. But, I have heard people saying that my selection is often influenced by social media opinions. That is not true, you are talking about the Pakistan team’s selection which is not a joke,” the chief selector added.

The former cricketer said he often uses the mute button which is very useful on Twitter. “Criticism is good but only constructive. Otherwise, I have a very good option of a mute button, especially on Twitter,” he continued.

While talking about next year’s T20 World Cup plan, Wasim said the team is well-set, a few changes according to the need will be made prior to the tournament.

“I think our team has done pretty well in the recent past so they are well set. We will see the situation closer to the time and make changes according to Australian conditions,” he concluded.

READ: Rizwan nominated for ICC Men’s T20I player of the year

KARACHI: Iftikhar Ahmed played captain’s knock as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) posted 252-5 against Northern at Stumps on Day 1 of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 final here at National Stadium.

Iftikhar partnered exceptionally well with Kamran Ghulam as they scored 104 runs together. Kamran missed his century and managed to score 72 runs with the help of 11 boundaries.

He and Ashfaq Ahmed (45) took KPK to competitive position after they lost two quick wickets.

Resuming at 77-2 after Tea on Day 1, KPK lost Ashfaq after he alongside Kamran added just seven runs.

Kamran stood strongly thereafter, joining hands with Iftikhar Ahmed. They both scored 73 runs together when Dinner was called by the umpires and KPK walked off for dinner at 158-3. Kamran was standing not out at 61 whereas Iftikhar made 46.

Earlier, defending champions KPK were sent into bat first in the final match of the event. They lost Fakhar Zaman (4) and Sahibzada Farhan (0) to start off their inning. But, the middle-order batting line consolidated runs well for them.

For Northern, Waqas Ahmed managed three wickets while Mubasir Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each.