Category: Cricket

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dedicated Saturday to raise childhood cancer awareness during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, marking the occasion as ‘Golden Ribbon Day’ in a bid to use cricket’s platform for a wider social cause.

In the afternoon match, Quetta Gladiators is taking on Karachi Kings, while Lahore Qalandars will face Peshawar Zalmi in the evening fixture.

The PSL will make use of its popularity and reach to stand up for the children affected by cancer early in their lives. According to online available data, around 8,000 to 10,000 children in Pakistan are diagnosed with cancer annually. Early detection can raise the chances of survival up to 85 per cent.

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The players and officials are wearing golden caps in the afternoon clash, while Peshawar Zalmi will be wearing a special golden kit. The broadcast graphics will also be in golden colour to show solidarity and raise awareness regarding the disease.

The PSL has also invited eight kids who have survived cancer in their lives. Meanwhile, the Golden Ribbon day is being observed in partnership with the Indus Hospital, a healthcare unit which has successfully treated more than 14,000 childhood cancer patients.

At 8pm PKT, the Pakistan Cricket fraternity is set to come together to share their messages and thoughts on X using the hashtag #GoGold.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

These will be regarding the childhood cancer and in support of those going through the plight. The fans are also encouraged to share their messages and views regarding the Golden Ribbon Day using the official hashtag.

“Beyond the boundaries and the thrill of competition, the HBL PSL has always been a platform for meaningful change. Today, we stand in solidarity with the young warriors battling cancer as we #GoGold. Let’s turn the stadium and our feeds gold,” said Chief Executive Officer of PSL, Salman Naseer.

“It is vital that we dedicate our time and energies towards raising awareness and empathizing with those affected by childhood cancer and their loved ones. HBL PSL is a great avenue to raise awareness as millions are attached to this sporting extravaganza.”

READ: PSL 11 final to be played with crowd as PM Shehbaz grants approval

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted approval for spectators to attend the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, offering fans a chance to witness the title decider live at the stadium.

The confirmation was made by Mohsin Naqvi, who revealed that the decision came after multiple requests from franchise owners. The final is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on May 3.

The ongoing edition of the tournament has been played behind closed doors due to government-imposed austerity measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption amid a broader regional crisis.

Matches were also limited to fewer venues, with Karachi and Lahore hosting fixtures instead of the originally planned six-city format.

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Naqvi shared that he had personally requested the prime minister to reconsider the no-spectator policy. While the government remained cautious due to ongoing resource conservation efforts, an exception has now been made for the final.

“Dear cricket fans, I requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators in the stadiums,” Naqvi posted on his official X account.

“While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasized that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimize fuel consumption.

“However, on the request of franchise owners, he has graciously approved the presence of fans for the PSL 11 Final. I sincerely thank him for this decision and for facilitating the fans.”

READ: Islamabad United script PSL history against Hyderabad Kingsmen

LAHORE: Karachi Kings all-rounder Khushdil Shah broke silence on his omission from the Pakistan team after a match-winning knock against Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Khusdhil smashed an unbeaten 44 from just 14 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours to ace a 200-run chase inside 18 overs against arch-rivals Qalandars.

The left-hander came into bat when the Kings required 55 from 28 balls with five wickets in hand. He smoked Shaheen Afridi for 23 in an over and sealed the game with back-to-back sixes against Haris Rauf, helping his side win the match and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Speaking on the post-match show ‘Pitch Side’, Khushdil — last played for Pakistan in 2025, said he went in to bat with the sole aim of winning the match for his team.

“My aim was to help the team win at least one match,” he said.

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He forged an unbeaten 57-run partnership with skipper David Warner, in which he did the bulk of the scoring. He revealed that Warner advised him to bat till the final ball and avoid playing a false shot.

“Warner said that we had to fight until the last ball. He gave me a lot of confidence and told me to take the match till the end and not play any rash shot,” Khushdil revealed.

On hitting sixes against the ace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, he said his plan was to bat deep inside the crease to get enough elevation.

“My simple plan was to stay deep in the crease and play.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Regarding his exclusion from the Pakistan team, the 31-year-old said he had a different nature from that of all other Pakistan cricketers.

“Among all the players in Pakistan, I am different from everyone. I’m not on social media, nor do I post old videos claiming I was treated unfairly.”

“Recently, in domestic cricket, batting at number 5 or 6, I scored 700–800 runs and even made a double century, yet I’m still dropped from the team,” he concluded.

READ: Samit Patel retires after playing in ‘disapproved’ league

KARACHI: A resounding bowling performance powered Islamabad United past Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture at National Bank Stadium on Friday.

United chased down a partly total in 6.4 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Despite losing Devon Conway on the second ball of the opening over, United batters chased down the target with ease.

Sameer Minhas and debutant Mohsin Riaz added a quick-fire 79-run stand from just 38 balls to propel their side into the playoffs.

Mohsin Riaz’s eye-catching 42 off 19 included six fours and two sixes, while Sameer remained unbeaten on 27 off 20, hitting three fours and a six.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali picked up two wickets.

With this victory, United are into playoffs with 11 points to their name.

Earlier, Richard Gleeson’s new ball burst, and Shadab Khan’s spin magic derailed Hyderabad Kingsmen for a meager total

United’s decision to bowl first proved beneficial as they bowled out Kingsmen for 80 in 15.5 overs.

Richard Gleeson piled on miserable start as opening batter Maaz Sadaqat was sent back for a golden duck. Skipper Marnus Labuschagne soon followed him, getting caught in first slip for five runs.

As a result, the Kingsmen scorecard read 11-2 in 2.2 overs with out-of-form Saim Ayub and Usman Khan at the crease. However, United bowlers continue to mount pressure, reaping high rewards for them.

The third wicket fell in the fourth over as Saim perished for another low score. He only managed 12.

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The slide continued as none of the Kingsmen batters could stay on the crease except Usman Khan, who saw wickets tumbling around him.

After Gleeson burst, Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim came into action with their spin bowling. The duo tore through the lower-middle order and never allowed the batters to free their arms.

Eventually, the whole team was bundled out in the 15th over, with Mohammad Ali the last wicket to fall.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan, Richard Gleeson, and Imad Wasim took three wickets each.

READ: Samit Patel retires after playing in ‘disapproved’ league

Former England all-rounder Samit Patel has announced his retirement from domestic cricket following a ban from the England Cricket Board (ECB).

A few days earlier, Patel and Australia pacer Peter Siddle were barred by the ECB from participating in the T20 Blast this summer. The ban followed after both players featured in the disapproved World Legends Pro T20 League in India.

The ECB states that players cannot feature in domestic cricket for 12 months if they play in an unapproved league.

The left-arm spinner regretted his decision to play in the league held in India in 2025, stating that he will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.

“I probably wouldn’t have played it [the World Legends League],” Samit told BBC Sport.

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“There was a lot of uncertainty about whether we could play or not but we can’t get past that now. It just brought this stuff forward for me,” he added.

The 41-year-old revealed that he would have played that summer and had held talks with some counties.

“I would have played this summer,” he said. “I had some chats with some counties, we weren’t quite at a contract signing but we were in talks, so probably would’ve got a last-minute deal somewhere,” he said.

It is worth noting that Samit made his first-class debut in 2002, aged 18. The Leiceste-born cricketer represented England in six Tests, 36 ODIs, and 18 T20Is from 2008 to 2015.

His last appearance for the Three Lions came against Pakistan in a Test match in Sharjah.

Overall, Patel finished his domestic career with more than 25,000 runs and took more than 800 wickets with his left-arm spin.

READ: Aamir Sohail clarifies Karachi remarks after backlash

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and decided to field against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the 36th fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

This marks the second time both sides are clashing in the ongoing edition, with the first encounter going in favor of the Kingsmen, who now hold a 1-0 lead over United.

This will be only the second meeting between the two sides, with Kingsmen sealing the victory.

Playing XIs

Islamabad United: 1 Devon Conway, 2 Sameer Minhas, 3 Mohsin Riaz, 4 Shadab Khan (capt.), 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Haider Ali, 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Chris Green, 9 Imad Wasim, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Richard Gleeson

Hyderabad Kingsmen: 1 Maaz Sadakat, 2 Marnus Labuschagne (capt.), 3 Saim Ayub, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Usman Khan (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Irfan Khan, 8 Hassan Khan, 9 Asif Mehmood, 10 Hunain Shah, 11 Mohammed Ali

READ: Arne Slot wary of ‘small margins’ for Champions League place

Former Pakistan cricketer Aamir Sohail has issued a clarification following criticism over his recent on-air remarks about Karachi, stating that his comments were not intended to target the culture or identity of the city.

The controversy stemmed from a segment shown during the broadcast of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, featuring visuals comparing both cities.

Sohail, who was doing commentary during that segment, referenced civic habits of Karachi, such as gutka and paan spitting. The remarks drew criticism online, with some viewers interpreting them as generalising the image of Karachi.

Responding to the reaction, Sohail took to the social media platform X to explain his position. He acknowledged that his choice of words may have caused offence and sought to draw a distinction between civic behaviour and cultural traditions.

“Pan and etiqutte of pichkari with two fingers wide apart to squirt in a container is not tradition and part of culture of Karachi, I guess I owe Karachiites an apology,” he wrote.

He further emphasised his connection to the city and appreciation of its cultural practices.

“When speaking on city’s and its cultures, Karachi is also one of my own. The culture of eating pan has fascinated me, its in my DNA as well, the entirety and the *pichkaari is part of the folklore and tradition, it ain’t bad , it’s a fad. Embraced it, you should too. Peace.,” he added.

READ: PSL 11: Amir, Faheem sanctioned for Code of Conduct Breach

LAHORE: Rawalpindiz fast bowler Mohammad Amir and Islamabad United’s all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for a Code of Conduct breach during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Earlier today, Amir and Faheem were involved in a heated argument.

The incident occurred in the 17th over of the United innings. Amir got rid of Ashraf with a short ball. Soon after the dismissal, the fast bowler pointed the all-rounder to leave the ground.

The gesture did not sit well with Ashraf, who responded in anger and pointed his bat at Amir. However, he was restrained by Asif Afridi and Saad Masood.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a press release statement, revealing the charges imposed on both players.

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“Amir was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5, which relates to the use of language, actions or gestures that are disparaging or could provoke an aggressive response from a batter upon dismissal during a match,” the PCB statement read.

“Faheem was deemed guilty of Article 2.21, which deals with, “Bringing the game into disrepute”. The incident occurred after Faheem was dismissed by Amir on the third ball of the 17th over of United’s innings.”

Both players admitted the charges put forward by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, and accepted the sanctions imposed by match referee Sir Richard Richardson.

Rawalpindiz are set to play their final league-stage match against Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 26.

READ: PSL 11: David Warner hails team display after thrilling victory

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner praised his team’s effort after five-wicket win over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Kings aced a 200-run target on the third ball of the penultimate over, largely due to an unbeaten partnership between Khushdil Shah and David Warner.

The duo added 57 runs off just 19 balls with Khushdil finishing on 44* off 14 deliveries, while Warner remained unbeaten on 63 runs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Warner hailed the collective effort, highlighting the team’s performance in different phases of the game.

“That was a great performance by the guys. Up front with the new ball, the first couple of overs were okay, but we know in the powerplay it can get away from you a little bit,” he said.

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“That wicket all around was good with the new ball; I think both teams bowled very well with it. But all in all, what a fantastic finish. You know, Moeen coming in and then Khushdil; we’ve been speaking to him about how his time would come when he gets that opportunity,” he added.

Warner scored an anchoring half-century, and unlike his aggressive strokeplay, he found fielders on multiple occasions.

“Yeah, look, and it only just happened by chance. I was a little bit frustrated; I kept on hitting fielders and then faced the last ball of the over, but that’s the game of cricket. I’ve played a lot, but I just know that one guy is going to come in and play that sort of cameo,” he explained.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The skipper remained confident of the team’s playoff chances ahead of their final game against Quetta Gladiators, which will be played on April 25 at the same venue.

“That’s where last year we were going really well. Hopefully, we come out here next game and win that one to give ourselves a chance. Yeah, to do that against a world-class bowler is phenomenal,” he continued while praising Khushdil Shah.

“It just shows you that in this game, if you put pressure back on the bowler, it doesn’t matter who it is, they can succumb to that. That was serious execution at the end there,” Warner concluded.

READ: BCB bars Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana from PSL 11 participation