Category: Cricket

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Head to Head

Both teams have played only once, as Kingsmen are playing their maiden season. Peshawar Zalmi won the first encounter by four wickets.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen XI: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, Basit Ali, Nahid Rana

READ: Babar Azam responds to Hafeez’s ‘advertised superstars’ remark

Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has responded to remarks by former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez about players performing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

Hafeez previously criticized the hype surrounding players performing in PSL, suggesting that the cycle of promotion and star-driven continues without genuine change in content or direction.

“The whistles will blow again — the stage will be set once more — the advertised superstars will come out — because our foundation is the PSL,” Hafeez had said during the T20 World Cup 2026 transmission.

Speaking on “Off Topic Podcast”, Babar said that Hafeez’s statement was his personal mindset.

“I can’t say anything about this because it is Mohammad Hafeez’s own mindset,” he said.

The 31-year-old emphasized that PSL is significant for players when representing a franchise, while the approach remains competitive.

“PSL is one of the best leagues in Pakistan, and every player gives their best. It’s not like you play differently when you are in the Pakistan team. However, this is franchise cricket, and entertainment plays a bigger role here,” he continued.

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He explained that team combinations and player distribution in franchise cricket make consistent performances difficult, saying that Mohammad Hafeez’s remarks were likely meant differently.

“In the Pakistan team, you always try to ensure that all 11 players perform. But in the PSL, players are divided into different teams. If someone is your best player, he might perform in one out of 10 matches,” Babar said.

“That’s why Hafeez’s way of saying it was different. How people interpret it is a different matter.”

Peshawar Zalmi captain pointed out that the ongoing PSL season has seen emerging and overseas players dominate performances, while highlighting Sahibzada Farhan’s consistency.

“If you look at PSL 11, most of the performers are youngsters or foreign players. The same players are not performing, although Sahibzada Farhan has maintained his form. There are always new faces, and every season brings new players — this process will continue.”

“Hafeez’s way of saying it was different, but people understood it differently,” Babar concluded.

READ: Rajasthan Royals sold for whopping price in mega IPL deal

Indian steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal and family, alongside vaccine billionaire Adar Poonawalla, have struck a $1.65 billion deal for Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals, a joint statement said on Sunday.

The IPL is the world’s richest cricket tournament and mixes sport and show business in a glitzy format. It is broadcast around the world and features top international stars, with some teams fronted by Bollywood superstars.

The Mittal family will own about 75 percent of the franchise following completion, with Poonawalla holding around 18 percent, the statement said.

The remainder will stay with approved existing investors, including seller Manoj Badale.

As well as the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals also owns Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean.

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“The transaction consideration is approximately $1.65 billion and represents the enterprise value of Rajasthan Royals’ men’s franchise, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals,” the statement said.

Rajasthan have not won a trophy since 2008, when late Australian great Shane Warne led them to the inaugural title.

“I love cricket and my family is from Rajasthan, so there is no IPL team that I would rather be part of than the Rajasthan Royals,” Mittal said in a statement.

Poonawalla said he looked forward to supporting the franchise’s long-term growth.

“Rajasthan Royals is a premier IPL franchise with a strong legacy,” he said.

Badale, who has been involved with the Royals since their inception, will remain a shareholder and join the board alongside the new investors.

“We are delighted to welcome the Mittal Family and Adar Poonawalla as the new owners of the Rajasthan Royals,” he said.

“Their passion for cricket, their connection to Rajasthan and India, and their long-term ambition for the franchise make them ideal custodians.”

The announcement comes after a group of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, bought reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.77 billion in March.

The IPL is a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was estimated in 2020 to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.

READ: Sajid Khan highlights lack of T20 opportunities from Peshawar region

LAHORE: The tickets for the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen have been sold out, the league’s social media handle confirmed on Sunday.

The announcement on social media confirmed a full house ahead of the summit clash.

“SOLD OUT Zinda dilana Lahoriyon — it’s a house full for the Grand Finale,” the post caption read.

The final will be contested between the 2017 champions, Peshawar Zalmi, and the tournament debutants, Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Babar Azam’s Zalmi secured a spot in the final by defeating Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier. Meanwhile, Kingsmen, who finished fourth in the league stage, upset Multan Sultans and the three-time champions in the Eliminators to reach the final.

These teams previously faced off during the league, where Zalmi narrowly won a tense match by four wickets on the last ball.

This marks Zalmi’s fifth PSL final appearance under Babar Azam, and Kingsmen’s debut season ended with a historic run to the final. In their last game, Hyderabad Kingsmen were bowled out for 145 in 18.2 overs, with Kusal Perera top-scoring at 58 off 35 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Captain Marnus Labuschagne scored 27 from 27 balls.

Squads:

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain

READ: Sajid Khan highlights lack of T20 opportunities from Peshawar region

LAHORE: The closing ceremony of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final is set to feature a high-profile lineup of artists, with leading singer Atif Aslam among the performers scheduled to entertain fans at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the grand finale of the tournament will be accompanied by a star-studded musical show, with performances also expected from Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Aima Baig and the Sabri Sisters.

The announcement was made through official PCB channels, which also outlined preparations for a colourful closing ceremony, including fireworks and stage performances designed to mark the end of the season in style.

According to the board, arrangements for the final and its accompanying ceremony were reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by PCB officials, where instructions were issued to ensure top-tier organisation and spectator comfort.

Fans have been advised to reach the stadium by 06:00 PM, with entry gates expected to be fully operational by the evening.

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The PSL 11 season initially began without an opening ceremony and behind closed doors due to government restrictions linked to an oil crisis triggered by geopolitical tensions.

However, with recent approvals, spectators have now been allowed to return for the playoffs and final, adding a festive atmosphere to the concluding stage of the tournament.

The title match will be contested between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, two sides that have taken contrasting paths to reach the final.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have been the most dominant team of the season, finishing top of the group stage with 17 points before defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier to secure direct entry into the final.

On the other hand, Hyderabad Kingsmen have emerged as the tournament’s surprise package. Under the leadership of Marnus Labuschagne, the debutants recovered from a difficult start to the season, which included four consecutive defeats, before staging a strong comeback to reach their first PSL final.

READ: Sajid Khan makes bold prediction about PSL 11 final

KARACHI: Pakistan Test spinner Sajid Khan has opened up about his struggles to break into white-ball cricket, highlighting a lack of opportunities at the domestic level despite consistent performances in red-ball formats.

The off-spinner, currently part of Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, addressed the media during a training session at the National Stadium, where he reflected on his recent cricketing journey.

Sajid maintained that he has been among the top-performing bowlers in domestic cricket over the past five to six years but believes he has been typecast as a red-ball specialist.

“People have labelled me as a red-ball cricketer, but that’s not my concern. My focus has always been on performance,” he said.

He, however, expressed frustration over not getting enough chances in white-ball competitions, particularly from his regional side, Peshawar.

“Unfortunately, I am not finding a place in white-ball teams because many players are already playing One-Day and PSL cricket. I don’t get enough opportunities from the Peshawar region in T20s. This season as well, I was on the bench in the National T20,” he added.

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Sajid Khan emphasised that the lack of game time at the domestic level makes it difficult for players to showcase their abilities and attract franchise interest.

“If I don’t get to play for my region, how will I perform and come up the ranks? If my own region doesn’t pick me, how can a PSL franchise consider me? I can’t complain about the PSL because it all starts from domestic cricket,” he explained.

The 32-year-old has 46 wickets in 46 List A games at an average of 33.71, while in T20s, he has taken a mere 10 wickets in 15 games at an average of 35.10.

Moreover, Sajid expressed satisfaction with the training camps held in Lahore and Karachi for the upcoming tour, noting that the conditions in Karachi closely resemble those expected in Bangladesh.

“We had a good camp in Lahore and then here in Karachi. The weather here is quite similar to Bangladesh, which is why this camp was important,” he said.

Looking ahead to the Test series, the spinner acknowledged Bangladesh’s strength in pace bowling but remained confident about Pakistan’s readiness.

“Bangladesh have quality fast bowlers and rely on pace-friendly conditions. We will get a better idea once we arrive there, but regardless of the pitch, we are prepared to deliver strong performances,” he concluded.

READ: Sajid Khan makes bold prediction about PSL 11 final

KARACHI: Test spinner Sajid Khan has weighed in on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, offering his prediction on the highly anticipated clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The title decider is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, with both teams entering the contest on the back of impressive campaigns.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have topped the group stage with 17 points and carried that form into the playoffs, defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier to book a direct spot in the final.

In contrast, PSL debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen, under Marnus Labuschagne, recovered from four consecutive defeats early in the tournament to script one of the most remarkable turnarounds.

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They won four matches on the trot to stay in contention before another setback as they suffered a humbling defeat against United. They ultimately sealed their playoff berth with a dominant victory in their final group game over Rawalpindiz.

The Kingsmen then carried that momentum into the knockout stage, eliminating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and Islamabad United in a last-over thriller in Eliminator 2 to reach their first-ever PSL final.

Speaking on the sidelines of Pakistan Test team’s training camp at the National Stadium, Sajid Khan avoided outright favouritism but admitted Hyderabad’s current form gives them an edge.

“My best wishes are with both teams. Whoever plays better on the day deserves to win, but the way Hyderabad are playing and the momentum they have, they look like the favourites right now,” he said.

READ: PSL 11: Mohammad Ali fined for code of conduct breach in Eliminator 2

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen pacer Mohammad Ali has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct during the Eliminator 2 clash against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The 33-year-old fast bowler was found guilty of a Level 1 offence following an on-field altercation with United batter Mark Chapman during the 16th over of the innings.

The incident involved a heated exchange between the two players, drawing the attention of match officials.

According to the official statement, Ali was found to have violated Article 2.21 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute.”

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He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction without contest.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Shahid Saikat, with match referee Roshan Mahanama imposing the penalty.

Despite the disciplinary action, Ali featured prominently in the match, returning figures of 2 for 44 from his four overs. However, he was also the most expensive bowler for Hyderabad in what turned out to be a tense, last-over contest.

The Kingsmen eventually edged past Islamabad United in a thrilling finish, with Hunain Shah successfully defending six runs in the final over to seal victory and book a place in the PSL 11 final, eliminating the three-time champions from the tournament.

READ: Islamabad United owner breaks silence following PSL 11 Exit

LAHORE: Islamabad United owner, Ali Naqvi, shared an emotional message following his team’s exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, after their campaign ended in a dramatic Eliminator 2 defeat.

The three-time champions were knocked out by Hyderabad Kingsmen in a last-over thriller, with Hunain Shah successfully defending six runs to seal a memorable victory and deny United a place in the final.

Taking to social media platform X after the loss, Naqvi admitted that the nature of the defeat made it particularly hard to process, while also acknowledging the opposition’s performance.

“Losses are tough in general, but losses like last evening’s are especially more difficult to process. Ultimately it’s a game and only one team could win. Congratulations to HKingsmen,” he wrote.

Despite the disappointment, Naqvi expressed gratitude to the team’s supporters, highlighting the resilience shown by the side throughout the season, especially after pre-tournament doubts.

“A BIG thankyou to the entire #ISLUFamily for supporting the team throughout the season. Against post-auction predictions which doubted our ability, we rose to the top two, and brought the team so close to being on the final last evening,” he added.

“As our PSL11 journey comes to an end, I want to wish each and every one of you success and happiness in your professional and personal pursuits ahead.”

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Islamabad United had finished second in the group stage with 13 points after a strong win over Multan Sultans in their final league match.

However, their playoff journey saw them fall short in both outings, first against Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier and then in the Eliminator against Hyderabad.

Ali Naqvi also extended his best wishes to the finalists, hoping for another thrilling contest in the title decider.

“Best of luck to both teams in tomorrow’s final — may it be as thrilling and dramatic as last evening’s match,” he said.

He concluded his message by sharing a final team selfie, noting that while the immediate aftermath of the defeat was filled with disappointment, the squad reflected on a season that also brought positive moments and unity within the group.

“While everyone was gutted and heartbroken immediately after the match, the team also reflected on the productive and enjoyable time they spent together during the season. That surely brought back smiles on their faces – reflected here in the selfie,” he concluded.

READ: Salman Naseer provides update on PSL 11 closing ceremony

LAHORE: Fast bowler Hunain Shah reflected on his execution in the final over after guiding Hyderabad Kingsmen to a thrilling victory and a place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) final.

Put in to bat in PSL 11 Eliminator 2 clash, Hyderabad Kingsmen recovered from an early setback to post 186/5 in their 20 overs.

Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off just 30 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera smashed 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

In reply, United were limited to 184 in 20 overs, thanks to an outstanding over from Hunain Shah. The right-arm pacer brought his side back on the brink of elimination and sealed an emphatic win.

With six required off the final over, Hunain Shah produced exceptional death bowling, conceding only three runs to secure a dramatic two-run victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Speaking after the match, Hunain said he wanted to maintain confidence in his skillset.

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“[I] wanted to keep belief in my abilities, thought if we got Faheem out, the job would be easier for us. Focus was on execution,” he said.

He also revealed the strategy discussed with skipper Marnus Labuschagne before bowling the final over.

“When I came to bowl the last over, I told Marnus we don’t have a margin, I would bowl six yorkers, and went with the plan. Feeling really good, thanks to God,” he said.

The 22-year-old credited the team’s performance, highlighting each individual’s contributions.

“Different players have stepped up and won Player of the Match and that has been the reason for our success,” he concluded.

Hyderabad Kingsmen will face Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

READ: Sajid Khan, Noman Ali shine in scenario-based practice match