Category: Cricket

LAHORE: Emerging left-arm wrist spinner Momin Qamar credited smart planning and backing from team management after delivering a standout performance on his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut, helping Multan Sultans secure a comprehensive win over Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The 19-year-old, who was named Player of the Match, returned figures of 3 for 24 in his three overs to play a decisive role in restricting United to 171-8. Multan later chased down the target comfortably to register a five-wicket victory.

Speaking after the match, Qamar revealed the thought process behind one of his key breakthroughs, the dismissal of Islamabad captain Shadab Khan.

“I was trying to bowl as well as I could,” he said. “I had planned Shadab’s wicket. I noticed he was coming down the pitch, so I thought of bowling him away from his body. I adjusted my angle accordingly and managed to get him out.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Qamar’s impact spell began in the 10th over when he removed the well-set Sameer Minhas for 28 with just his third delivery. He then struck again in his next over to dismiss Shadab, before claiming his third wicket by removing Haider Ali.

Despite his immediate success, the young bowler maintained that he is not targeting any specific player this season.

“There’s no particular player in mind. My goal is to use my skills to the best of my ability and help Multan Sultans win the PSL,” he stated.

Momin Qamar also reflected on his journey, having been part of the Lahore Qalandars last season but not getting an opportunity to feature.

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“There’s no major difference between franchises; all teams are good,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to play for Lahore because there were many big players. But here, I got my opportunity in the first match and managed to take wickets.”

He further praised the environment within the Multan Sultans camp, highlighting the support he has received since joining the side.

“The team management and players here are very supportive. That has made a big difference for me, and it feels great to contribute,” he added.

READ: Philippe, Turner power Multan Sultans to clinical win over Islamabad United

LAHORE: A composed chase led by Josh Philippe and captain Ashton Turner guided Multan Sultans to a convincing five-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 172, the 2021 champions showed control throughout the innings, reaching the target with eight balls to spare despite a shaky start.

Multan’s pursuit got off to a stuttering beginning when Sahibzada Farhan fell early for just three, leaving the side at 16-1.

However, Philippe steadied the innings alongside Steve Smith, with the pair stitching together a brisk 45-run stand to revive the chase.

Smith, making his PSL debut, looked in fine touch with a fluent 31 off 23 deliveries before Salman Irshad broke the partnership.

The Sultans then suffered another setback as Shadab Khan dismissed Shan Masood cheaply, momentarily shifting momentum back towards United.

Philippe, however, continued to anchor the innings and found an able partner in Turner. The duo added a crucial 61 runs for the fourth wicket, effectively taking the game away from United.

Philippe’s aggressive 55 off 35 deliveries, featuring five fours and two sixes, laid the foundation before he was eventually dismissed by Shadab in the 15th over.

Arafat Minhas then chipped in with a quickfire 25 off 11 balls, ensuring there were no late hiccups. Meanwhile, skipper Turner remained unbeaten on 43 off 28 deliveries, calmly steering his side over the line.

Earlier, Islamabad United posted 171-8 after being asked to bat first, with Mark Chapman top-scoring with a brisk 40 off 21 balls.

United’s innings began on a positive note as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas added 48 runs for the opening wicket. Conway made 26 before falling to Peter Siddle, while Sameer contributed 28.

However, a middle-order collapse saw United slip from a strong position to 75-3, with quick wickets derailing their progress.

Chapman attempted to rebuild with brief partnerships alongside Shadab and Haider Ali, but lacked sustained support.

Late cameo from Faheem Ashraf (26 off 17) helped push the total to a competitive 171.

For Multan, Momin Qamar was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for 24 runs, while Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up two scalps.

READ: “Staying calm was the key”: Hasan Ali on his spell against Quetta Gladiators

LAHORE: Karachi Kings fast bowler Hasan Ali expressed confidence in his side’s momentum after playing a pivotal role in their thrilling 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Hasan starred with the ball, returning figures of 4-27 to help Karachi Kings successfully defend a total of 181-7 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Reflecting on the team’s strong start, Hasan emphasized the importance of carrying the momentum forward.

“It’s a great feeling to start the season with a win, and it was a very good victory,” Hasan said. “Hopefully, we can carry this momentum forward in the upcoming matches.”

He credited the batting unit for setting up the game and highlighted how the bowlers executed their plans despite an early setback in the power play.

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“Our batters put up a very good total against Quetta, so the plan with the ball was to hit the right areas,” he explained.

“Even though we didn’t bowl as well as we wanted in the powerplay, credit goes to our spinners who bowled in the right areas and helped us make a comeback. Later, the fast bowlers capitalized on that and executed well.”

Hasan Ali also spoke about his personal comeback during the match after conceding 16 runs in his first over, stressing the importance of composure under pressure.

“It’s very important to control your nerves and stay calm,” he said.

“I strongly believe there’s always a chance to make a comeback, and cricket gives you that second opportunity. My plan was to recover those runs in my next spell and deliver for the team, and thankfully, it worked.”

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Looking ahead, the experienced pacer outlined both his individual and team ambitions for the tournament.

“There are always individual goals, like becoming the best bowler of the season,” Hasan noted.

“But more importantly, I want to perform when my team needs me the most and help lead Karachi Kings to victory. Individual and team goals go hand in hand.”

Karachi Kings will now take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in their next fixture on Sunday, 29 March, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

READ: Jason Gillespie provides update on Glenn Maxwell, Maaz Sadaqat availability

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen head coach Jason Gillespie has provided a key update on the availability of star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and emerging talent Maaz Sadaqat for the upcoming games of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Speaking during a media interaction on Saturday, Gillespie confirmed that Maxwell is expected to join the squad later in the tournament, although his exact arrival date remains uncertain.

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“We have to wait. He is locked in for the back half of the tournament,” Gillespie said. “The exact date of his arrival, we’re not sure yet. We’re waiting for more information, but hopefully he will join us soon.”

Moreover, Gillespie sounded optimistic about the fitness of young all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat, who missed the opening match against Lahore Qalandars due to injury concerns.

“Maaz has started training today. He’s an important part of our squad,” he said.

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“We’re hopeful he will be available for selection tomorrow [for the match against Quetta Gladiators]. It depends on how he trains and recovers, but if everything goes well, he’ll certainly be in strong consideration.”

Both Hyderabad Kingsmen and Quetta Gladiators head into Sunday’s encounter seeking their first win of the tournament after suffering defeats in their respective opening matches.

READ: Jason Gillespie breaks silence on relationship with PCB

Hyderabad Kingsmen head coach Jason Gillespie has dismissed any lingering speculation of a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), insisting that his relationship with the board remains “absolutely fine.”

Gillespie, who stepped down from his role as Pakistan’s Test head coach in December 2024 amid reports of differences with the PCB, commented on his relationship with the board on Saturday.

“Absolutely no problem,” Gillespie said when asked about his equation with the PCB.

“I finished my role as Test coach, and these things happen in coaching. We’ve all moved on; there’s no drama at all. From my end and the PCB’s end, the relationship is perfectly fine.”

The former Australia fast bowler had taken over the red-ball setup in April 2024 but endured a brief tenure amid reports of differences with team management.

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However, he made it clear that any such issues are now firmly in the past.

Shifting focus to the broader cricketing landscape, Jason Gillespie also weighed in on the growing influence of franchise leagues and their impact on international cricket, particularly the longest format.

“I love international cricket, especially Test cricket, and I’m not alone in that,” he said.

“It’s a challenge for administrators to strike the right balance with so many leagues around the world, but I think they’ve done a decent job so far.”

He acknowledged the increasing workload on players, particularly fast bowlers, who are often forced to make tough choices across formats.

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“Fast bowling is a very demanding job. You’re seeing players become more selective, especially with the rise of T20 cricket. It’s difficult to play all three formats throughout the year,” he said.

Gillespie also pointed out a shifting trend in modern cricket, where some players are opting out of certain formats altogether to prolong their careers, underlining the complexity of scheduling in today’s packed calendar.

The Hyderabad Kingsmen coach expressed confidence in his squad, singling out Saim Ayub as a player to watch despite recent inconsistent batting form.

“Saim is a quality player. There will always be ups and downs, but we’re encouraging him to play his natural game, watch the ball and back his strengths. I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform in this tournament,” he said.

READ: MS Dhoni to miss first two weeks of IPL 2026 due to injury

Legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a calf strain, his team Chennai Super Kings said on Saturday.

Dhoni, 44, led Chennai to five Indian Premier League titles and has only played in the T20 tournament since his international retirement in 2020.

“M.S. Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026,” Chennai said in a statement.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni, a two-time World Cup-winning captain for India, has defied age to be in CSK’s yellow, batting at number seven under skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.

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Dhoni played all 14 matches last year, scoring 196 runs, but Chennai finished bottom of the 10-team table.

Notably, the 19th edition of the IPL has begun today, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The tournament final is scheduled to be played on May 31.

Chennai, who last won the IPL in 2023, will play their opening match on Monday against Rajasthan Royals.  The franchise will then face the Punjab Kings, RCB, and Delhi Capitals in the first fortnight of the season.

READ: England skipper Ben Stokes sidelined after gruesome facial injury

England Test captain Ben Stokes will be sidelined for the first month of the county season as he recovers from a cheekbone injury sustained in a training accident.

Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit by the ball during a net session with his Durham team-mates last month.

The 34-year-old said that his subsequent surgery was a success, although his photo on Instagram, showing a badly swollen and bruised face, revealed the extent of the horrific injury.

The prolonged rehabilitation process means that Stokes has had to delay his return to action.

The all-rounder, who has not played since the final game of England’s Ashes series thrashing in Australia in January, was originally hoping to make his comeback against Kent in Durham’s first round of County Championship fixtures next week.

But he now looks likely to sit out the first four matches of the domestic campaign before preparing for the New Zealand Test series by facing Worcestershire and Kent in May.

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“He was going to play the first game; he’s been training so hard to be ready. But he won’t play in that, obviously. We have to wait for the specialists to clear him,” Durham coach Ryan Campbell said.

“Unfortunately, it’s made a change, the accidental bump. He is pencilled in for Worcester and Kent, and I think it will just be those two, to be honest.

“He has got to recover from the facial injuries and then have to build up again. It is a long, old summer, and he will have that mapped out but is keen and ready to go.”

Campbell believes Ben Stokes was lucky to avoid further damage given the nature of the grisly injury.

“It was so, so much worse than you’d think. The ball was hit so hard, we are just lucky he got away with it,” he said. “The initial whack was bad. If it hits him in the eye, it could have been different. That could have been horrific.”

“His cheekbone worked the way it is supposed to: it caved in and looked after the rest of him. It is a bit scary, but a reminder to all of us to keep our eye on the ball.”

READ: PSL 11: Yasir Khan’s heroics in vain as Peshawar Zalmi down Rawalpindiz

LAHORE: A breathtaking run-chase powered by collective brilliance saw Peshawar Zalmi storm to a five-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in a high-scoring clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, overshadowing a sensational knock from Yasir Khan.

Chasing a daunting 215, Zalmi batters stepped up at crucial moments to seal the contest with five balls to spare.

The pursuit was set in motion by a 78-run opening stand between Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris, who added quick runs at the top.

Babar struck a fluent 39 off 28 deliveries before falling to Asif Afridi, while Haris fell prey to Ammad Butt after scoring 47 runs off 28 balls, leaving Zalmi at 96-2 at the halfway mark.

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Kusal Mendis continued to keep the scoreboard ticking with a rapid 31 off 17 deliveries. However, it was the explosive partnership between Abdul Samad and Michael Bracewell that turned the game decisively in Zalmi’s favour.

With 85 required off 35 balls, the duo unleashed a brutal counterattack, hammering 64 runs in just 23 deliveries.

Samad’s fiery 33 off 11 balls, studded with towering sixes, shifted the momentum before his dismissal by Mohammad Amir.

Bracewell, however, carried on the assault and, alongside Aamir Jamal, calmly guided Zalmi home. Jamal remained unbeaten on 17 off just five balls, while Bracewell contributed a crucial 35* off 17.

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Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted an imposing 214-4 after being put into bat, largely built on a commanding opening stand between Yasir Khan and captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Yasir led the charge with a scintillating 83 off 46 deliveries, smashing seven fours and six sixes, while Rizwan anchored the innings with a composed 41 off 32. Their 125-run partnership laid a solid platform before Ali Raza broke through to remove both set batters in consecutive overs.

Late contributions from Kamran Ghulam (37 off 20), Daryl Mitchell (23 off 13) and Sam Billings (18* off 8) powered Rawalpindiz to the mammoth total.

READ: Shamyl Hussain responds to critics after blistering PSL knock

LAHORE: Pakistan’s emerging opener Shamyl Hussain delivered a strong response to his critics following a blistering half-century in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash between Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings on Friday.

Representing Quetta, the 21-year-old produced an eye-catching 52 off just 24 deliveries, striking five fours and four sixes to set the tone in a steep chase. However, his efforts went in vain as the Gladiators fell 14 runs short in a closely contested encounter.

Speaking after the match, Shamyl addressed the growing scrutiny around his performances, making it clear that external opinions will not influence his approach at the crease.

“As a cricketer, we are always trying to improve. No one has a perfect technique, especially early in their career—you learn gradually,” he said.

“When I was performing in domestic cricket, no one questioned my batting. Now, after a couple of failures, it suddenly becomes a problem.”

The left-hander stressed the importance of self-evaluation over public perception, highlighting the need to stay grounded amid fluctuating criticism.

“Public opinion keeps changing. My job is to assess myself and understand what is working. If something won’t work going forward, I’ll change it, but if it is working, I’ll stick with it,” he added.

Shamyl Hussain also underlined the mental demands of professional cricket, insisting that players cannot afford to be swayed by outside noise.

“I cannot change my batting based on what people say. I didn’t reach here because of them, and I won’t be dropped because of them. My focus is on improving myself and moving forward,” he concluded.

The young opener recently made his international debut for Pakistan in the ODI series against Bangladesh, where he endured a modest start, scoring just 10 runs in two appearances.

READ: David Warner praises Moeen Ali, bowlers after Karachi Kings’ strong start

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner lauded his team’s all-round effort following a hard-fought 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 opener at the Gaddafi Stadium.

A composed late flourish from Moeen Ali, coupled with a match-winning four-wicket haul by Hasan Ali, helped Karachi Kings defend a competitive total of 181, restricting Quetta to 167-7 despite a strong start.

Reflecting on the innings, Warner admitted the team fell slightly short of their ideal total but credited Moeen Ali for steering the side to a strong finish.

“I think at the beginning we felt 170 was going to be around par,” Warner said. “We lost a few wickets in the middle due to some poor shot selections, including myself. But the way Moeen batted towards the back end and built that partnership to get us to a good total was fantastic.”

Warner, who contributed 35 off 22 at the top, highlighted the impact of Karachi’s spin attack in turning the game around after Quetta’s aggressive powerplay.

“I thought our spinners operated really well through the middle overs,” he noted. “They bowled with discipline, created pressure, and we were able to pick up wickets after the powerplay, which brought us back into the game.”

The Kings skipper also backed his bowlers’ execution under pressure, particularly emphasizing the role of dot balls in shifting momentum.

“With someone like Adam Zampa, I wasn’t too concerned. It was more about how we executed our plans,” he said. “By building pressure through dot balls and limiting them to singles, we were able to create chances, and the bowlers did that brilliantly.”

Warner was full of praise for Zampa, who made his presence felt in his first outing for the franchise.

“Zampa is a great addition to our team,” he said. “Having him alongside Moeen Ali and others who can contribute with the ball gives us a lot of options, especially in the middle overs.”

Despite the high-intensity contest, Warner also touched upon the positive atmosphere within the squad.

“The energy in the group is really good,” he added. “Even in situations where the crowd isn’t as big, it’s important to keep that energy up as a team. The boys are in a great space, and we’re enjoying ourselves.”

READ: “Experience Helps”: Moeen Ali Reflects on Match-Winning Knock for Karachi Kings