Category: Cricket

LAHORE: Former South Africa batter JP Duminy has wrapped up his commentary stint ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Eliminator 2 and final. 

Duminy shared a reflective video montage on Instagram, thanking Pakistan for its hospitality, praising the quality of cricket, and appreciating the chance to work with experienced professionals during the tournament.

He also commended the return of fans to stadiums, noting the lively atmosphere they created.

“Appreciation Pakistan, thank you for the love and hospitality. PSL 11 has seen great cricket and continues to do so. Great to see the crowds back. I truly get to work with some amazing people. Thanks for the love. Till next time,” Duminy wrote.

 

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This marks Duminy’s second period as part of the PSL broadcast team, having previously appeared in the 10th edition, where he offered analysis throughout the season.

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Besides his role as a commentator, the 42-year-old also has a playing background in the league. He played in PSL 3 for Islamabad United, participating in 10 matches and scoring 251 runs at a strike rate of 100.80, with two half-centuries.

Additionally, he captained the team in the final against Peshawar Zalmi, leading them to their second PSL title.

The Eliminator 2 of the league will be played between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United tommorow at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Kingsmen advanced by defeating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1, whereas Islamabad United suffered a 70-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.

The winner of Eliminator 2 will play Peshawar Zalmi in the final on May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Richard Gleeson confident ahead of Hyderabad Kingsmen knockout clash

LAHORE: Islamabad United fast bowler Richard Gleeson expressed confidence in his team’s prospects ahead of Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The Three-time champions United will face Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Eliminator 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium tommorow.

Shadab Khan-led United endured a difficult outing against Peshawar Zalmi, suffering a 70-run defeat.

Gleeson, playing in the PSL for the first time, has been effective throughout the tournament, picking up 11 wickets in eight matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.72.

Speaking to the media, Gleeson remained confident about United’s chances and expected his side to perform strongly in the knockout clash.

“We hope we will play good cricket in Eliminator 2,” he told reporters. “I am English, and Hyderabad have two Australian players as well, so it will be a good contest,” he added.

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Reflecting on the previous match, he said the mistakes made against Peshawar Zalmi would not be repeated.

“The mistakes we made against Peshawar Zalmi, we will not repeat them,” he stated.

He also appreciated the crowd support, saying fans make the game more enjoyable.

“The fans coming to the ground is very good. It is always fun to play in front of them.Cricket matches are not good without a crowd,” he added.

Looking ahead to the next match, he noted that Hyderabad’s top order is strong and will require careful planning.

“Hyderabad’s top order is good, we will try to control it,” he said.

The winner of Eliminator 2 will play Peshawar Zalmi in the final on May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Faf du Plessis calls Dutch talent ‘secret sauce’ of Euro T20 franchise

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes local Dutch players will be the “secret sauce” for his Rotterdam franchise in a new European Twenty20 competition (EUT20).

Organisers of the Euro T20, co-founded by Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, have created a tournament featuring six city-based teams in Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and Rotterdam.

Amsterdam are owned by a group led by Australia great Steve Waugh, while Edinburgh are run by former New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills.

The ETPL, whose inaugural edition will feature 33 matches from August 26 to September 20, aims to boost cricket on the continent.

The Netherlands, a non-Test nation, have enjoyed several notable international successes in white-ball cricket, defeating England, South Africa and the West Indies, but Du Plessis is keen to help broaden their base of talent.

The 41-year-old batsman, a veteran of the global T20 circuit, is not just the captain of the Rotterdam side but a co-owner alongside fellow former South Africa internationals Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen.

“We, as players, have never been a part of the conversation when it comes to co-owning,” Faf du Plessis told AFP. “We have always just looked at leagues and you almost become a gun for hire around the world in terms of playing.

“Now there is the opportunity of it being something more.”

The hard-hitting Klaasen, who retired from international duty last year, is also set to play for Rotterdam.

But Du Plessis said his worldwide experience of T20 cricket had convinced him of the importance of local talent to follow in the footsteps of current Netherlands stars such as Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek.

“It’s not your overseas players that win you competitions, it’s the local players,” he said.

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“You can look around the world and you see the teams that get that right, so I see it as exactly that. It’s not the South Africans coming in from overseas and creating the strength of the team. The real secret sauce for any team is how well do you tap into the local players?”

For the 56-year-old Rhodes, one of the outstanding fielders of his generation and later a coach, the chance to become a co-owner was too tempting to pass up.

“It is an exciting place to be, (but) it’s a bit scary. I mean, we don’t just copy and paste what other people have done before. That uniqueness of starting something is pretty special.”

Klaasen, a current star in the Indian Premier League, is confident the Euro T20 will be a success.

“It’s a no-brainer. The names that are involved in this league — I know for sure that it will be a quality league when it starts.

“I’ve still got a lot of cricket in me. It might be at the back end of my career, but that’s a few years away.

“So hopefully in five years we will have a great set-up and a great infrastructure and that we develop the game in Europe quite a bit.”

And Klaasen, 34, is well aware of the quality within Dutch cricket, having twice been on the losing side in World Cup matches.

“I’ve lost against the Netherlands twice in very crucial moments in my career,” he said.

READ: CPL unveils 2026 draft and player acquisition rules

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has officially unveiled Player Acquisition and Draft Rules for the 2026 season, marking the start of a new three-year contract cycle running from 2026 to 2028.

The revised framework includes several important updates designed to enhance competitive balance, promote emerging talent, and incorporate a seventh franchise into the league. The draft picks will be revealed on the league’s official social media platforms on Friday, 15 May.

According to the new regulations, each franchise will field a 17-player squad comprising nine senior West Indies players, five overseas players, and three Breakout Players.

As the league’s newest team, the Jamaica Kingsmen are entitled to special draft rights. They have the option to select the first three players, specifically Jamaican players, but they are not required to use all three picks.

Fawad Sarwar is the owner of the Jamaica Kingsmen and Pakistan Super League (PSL) outfit Hyderabad Kingsmen.

These choices cannot be contested using the Right to Match Option (RMO). In this phase, the Kingsmen can pick up to one player from any current team, and any franchise that loses a player to the Kingsmen will gain an extra RMO.

After this initial phase, the draft will follow a structured sequence according to the 2025 league standings to promote competitive balance among all teams.

Franchises will be able to use RMOs to keep players from their 2025 squads if those players are chosen by another team during the draft.

Each current team starts with four RMOs: three can be used on players from any salary slot on their 2025 roster, and one is reserved for players who occupied salary slots seven to 17 and are nationals of the franchise’s home territory.

Teams that lose a player to the Jamaica Kingsmen at the beginning of the draft will get an extra RMO, usable in any round.

The Kingsmen will have one RMO available for any Jamaican player, as long as, if the player participates in the 2025 CPL, they must have held a salary slot between seven and 17.

In terms of player retention, each existing franchise was allowed to keep one Breakout Player from its 2025 squad before the draft, which remains the only pre-draft retention method for the 2026 season.

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Breakout Players continue to be vital to the league’s growth strategy, with every team required to include at least one player selected in rounds 15 to 17 in each matchday XI during the tournament.

Teams can also sign up to five overseas players through direct negotiations, with these players not part of the draft. However, no more than four overseas players can be named in any matchday XI.

CPL Tournament Operations Director Michael Hall stated that the framework was developed in close collaboration with all seven franchises, Cricket West Indies, and other stakeholders to ensure a balanced and competitive structure.

“We have worked closely with the seven CPL franchises, Cricket West Indies, and other key stakeholders to develop a framework that allows us to successfully introduce a seventh team while maintaining competitiveness and fairness across the league,,” Hall said.

“We are excited to see how the squads take shape and are confident that the expanded tournament will raise the standard of the CPL even further,” he concluded.

READ: Tim Paine shares emotional note after Multan Sultans PSL 11 exit

LAHORE: Multan Sultans head coach Tim Paine posted an emotional message after their exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Pain took to the social media platform ‘X’ after their loss against Hyderabad Kingsmen in Eliminator 1 on Wednesday, expressing gratitude over the journey.

“A memorable journey with the Multan Sultans has unfortunately come to an end this PSL,” Paine wrote.

“Had a great time with a fantastic group of people and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Gohar Shah,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sultans’ campaign ended disappointingly as the Kingsmen delivered a strong all-round performance in their debut season, earning a spot in Eliminator 2 against Islamabad United, scheduled for Friday in Lahore.

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Opting to bat first, Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne made a key decision that proved successful, as his team limited the 2021 champions to 159/9 despite a resilient half-century from Shan Masood.

In response, the Kingsmen easily chased the 160-run target, losing only two wickets and ending the match with 28 balls remaining.

Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan both scored 64 runs off 33 and 35 balls respectively, helping their team reach the target.

Despite their early exit, the Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans had a commendable run overall, finishing third in the league stage with six wins and four losses from 10 matches, earning 12 points with a net run rate of 0.326.

READ: Pakistan Test squad train ahead of Bangladesh series

KARACHI: Pakistan Test squad continued preparations for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh under newly appointed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

The national team players trained at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Center (HPC) on the third day of the camp.

During the morning session, newly appointed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed oversaw slip-catching drills with Salman Ali Agha and vice-captain Saud Shakeel. He later worked with other players of the squad.

In the afternoon, players moved indoors for training.

Meanwhile, ace batter Babar Azam will join the squad after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, with his team, Peshawar Zalmi, set to feature in the final.

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The camp will run until May 2, with two scenario-based practice matches scheduled at the Oval Ground.

For the unversed, Pakistan currently sit fifth in the WTC standings with 12 points, having played only two matches in the current cycle against South Africa at home in 2025.

Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Test series

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Team management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach) Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

READ: Kumar Sangakkara named in Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee

Sri Lanka’s legendary batter Kumar Sangakkara has been named to a Transformation Committee to run Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). 

The decision follows the government-led ouster of the SLC administration headed by Shammi Silva.

Sangakkara, one of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers, is the most renowned name in the committee. He is joined by former cricketers Roshan Mahanama and the country’s maiden Test century-maker Sidath Wettimuny, along with several members of corporate, legal, and political backgrounds.

The head of the committee is a former member of parliament, Eran Wickramaratne — a politician from Sri Lanka’s main opposition party (Samagi Jana Balawegaya).

Following the announcement, Wickramaratne highlighted the committee’s objectives, including an overhaul of SLC’s governance framework.

“I am privileged to lead a nine-member committee of individuals with impeccable integrity and expertise,” Wickramaratne said.

“Our immediate priority is a total overhaul of the governance framework at SLC,” he continued. “The cornerstone of this effort will be the implementation of the new consitution, ensuring it serves as a robust, modern foundation for the sport.”

He also expressed confidence in bringing out the best in Sri Lankan players by providing them with top-tier facilities.

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“We will focus on establishing the structures, world-class facilities, and incentive models necessary to empower our national teams. Our goal is to enable our players to consistently deliver world-class performances and elevate Sri Lanka back to the top tier of international rankings.”

Among the members, Wettimuny and Prakash Schaffter bring prior administrative experience, having served on the 2015 interim committee. Avanthi Colombage from the corporate sector, is the only woman on the panel.

For the unversed, SLC is the country’s richest sporting body, but it has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Sri Lanka made an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted with India in February–March. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to comment on the latest government-led changes.

The ICC has previously suspended Sri Lanka’s membership in November 2023, citing political interference in the running of the national board. The suspension was lifted at the end of January 2024, and Silva’s committee was restored. He subsequently won a fourth term uncontested as president.

SLC’s new committee members:

Eran Wickramaratne (politics/corporate)

Roshan Mahanama (cricket/corporate)

Kumar Sangakkara (cricket/business)

Sidath Wettimuny (cricket/corporate)

Prakash Schaffter (corporate/cricket)

Avanthi Colombage (corporate)

Thushira Radella (corporate)

Upul Kumarapperuma (law/politics)

Dinal Phillips (law)

READ: Tentative schedule for Pakistan-Australia ODI series revealed: sources

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined a quarter of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 game against Punjab Kings.

Images of Parag, 24, using an e‑cigarette during Tuesday’s match against Punjab Kings were broadcast live on television and quickly went viral on social media.

E‑cigarettes are banned in India under a 2019 law that prohibits their manufacture, import, sale and storage, regardless of nicotine content.

“Riyan admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed,” a statement posted on the league’s website said, adding that the team skipper would also be hit with one demerit point.

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The IPL added that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was also exploring options to initiate “stringent action” against the Rajasthan Royals, its officials and players to ensure that the reputation of the league “remains intact”.

Violations of India’s e-cigarette law can attract fines of up to 500,000 rupees ($6,000) and jail terms. Personal possession and vaping in public is also banned.

Rajasthan, winners of the inaugural IPL in 2008 under late Australian great Shane Warne, recently had their team manager, Ravinder Singh Bhinder, fined 100,000 rupees for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match.

READ: Tentative schedule for Pakistan-Australia ODI series revealed: sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalised a tentative schedule for the upcoming home ODI series against Australia, with all three matches likely to be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium, sources revealed on Thursday.

According to the proposed plan, the series is expected to begin on May 31, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for June 2 and June 4, respectively.

The official confirmation from the PCB is still awaited, with the final itinerary expected to be announced in due course.

If confirmed, the series will mark Australia’s return to Pakistan for a 50-over assignment for the first time since 2022. On that occasion, the home side secured a memorable 2–1 victory in a closely contested three-match series.

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Historically, Australia have maintained the upper hand in ODI cricket between the two sides, leading Pakistan 71-36 in 111 encounters, with four matches ending without a result.

Following the Pakistan tour, Australia are also scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for a full white-ball series in June 2026, marking the end of a long gap between bilateral ODI engagements in the country.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s international calendar remains packed as they prepare for a key red-ball assignment in Bangladesh ahead of the home series against Australia.

They will feature in a two-match Test series in Bangladesh as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.

Tentative schedule for Pakistan vs Australia

May 31: 1st ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

June 02: 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

June 04: 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

READ: Marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe receives hero’s welcome in Kenya

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne praised his side’s effort after sealing a dominant eight-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the Eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Kingsmen first delivered with the ball, limiting a strong Multan Sultans batting lineup to 159 in 20 overs.  In reply, they chased down the 160-run target with ease, losing two wickets in the process and 28 balls to spare.

Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat starred with gutsy half-centuries, scripting a remarkable comeback for a team that lost their opening four games of the tournament.

With this win, they booked their place in Eliminator 2 and will play Islamabad United on May 1, at the same venue.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Marnus Labuschagne mentioned the management and owners, lauding a special win.

“It is really hard to put into words what it means for the franchise, the owners, the team, and the sports staff for us to be here: it is really special. We put a lot of work and time into making sure we came prepared today,” he told the presenter.

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“We played really well especially with the bat and tried to come a few new ideas and a little bit of prep. It is nice that it came off today. [On bouncing back after the defeat to United] We actually addressed it today because I felt when we won that amazing game against Multan we were so high. We probably just expected to go and do the same thing the next game,” he added.

The skipper praised his players for staying composed under pressure, saying trust and communication were vital in T20 cricket, where bowlers are bound to have difficult overs.

“It is just great when you have guys in whom you can put your faith. In T20 cricket, you are always going to have a bad over and be put under pressure. But it doesn’t matter because you can just trust them and communicate and they trust that process.”

“I am so proud of the guys from where we were – not winning a game over the first four games and then finding our feet in back half of the tournament and really making a push,” he concluded.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan calls Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup withdrawal a ‘blunder’