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KARACHI: Arafat Minhas starred with a three-wicket haul as Multan Sultans edged past Karachi Kings by 11 runs in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Chasing a daunting 208 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday, Karachi Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs.

Jason Roy and Saad Baig started positively in pursuit of the chase, adding 29 in 2.2 overs before Arafat Minhas struck twice to reduce them to 41-2 at the end of four overs.

Roy made 16 from nine while Salman Ali Agha was cleaned up for two runs. The Kings were pegged back further with the dismissal of Baig, who hit four boundaries before getting caught on 21.

As a result, Karachi Kings were in dire straits at 47-3 at the end of the powerplay.

With the side in deep trouble, Reeza Hendricks and Moeen Ali launched a recovery with a 67-run partnership. The pair managed to pull things back, with the scorecard reading 114 in 12.5 overs.

However, Hendricks was caught just one shy of a half-century. He top-scored with 49 from 32, hitting two sixes and five fours.

Following his dismissal, the Kings’ batting lineup wobbled until Abbas Afridi’s cameo, which provided them a glimmer of hope. The right-hander hit 34 from 16, including two sixes and three fours.

He was caught in the penultimate over, which dashed the Kings’ hope. With 18 required off the final over, Mohammad Wasim kept his nerve and gave nothing away.

For Multan Sultans, Arafat Minhas picked up three wickets.

Earlier, Shan Masood’s 46 from 25 balls and Imran Randhawa’s 26 from eight balls at the back end of the innings propelled Multan Sultans to a massive total.

Asked to bat first, Multan Sultans racked up 207-7 in 20 overs.

Sultans were jolted with an early blow in the shape of Steve Smith, who was caught without scoring. The early wicket brought Josh Philippe to the crease, who added a 66-run partnership with Awais Zafar.

The pair batted briskly, bringing the team’s total to 77 in 7.2 overs. Philippe made 44 from 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Despite the wicket, runs continued to flow from Multan Sultans batters as Awais Zafar was involved in another 44-run stand with Shan Masood.

However, Karachi Kings bowlers made a comeback in the second half of the innings as Awais and Shan fell in successive overs. At this stage, the scorecard read 135-4 in 13.2 overs. The former hit five fours and a six in his 36 off 27, whereas the latter struck three fours and three sixes in his knock.

Karachi Kings bowlers squeezed the run flow and took wickets at regular intervals, and reduced Sultans to 174-7 in 18.2 overs, until Imran Randhawa’s late onslaught.

The right-hander scored 21 off Hasan Ali’s final over to take the total to over 200 runs.

For Karachi Kings, Khushdil Shah remained the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan admits ‘failure’ after Rawalpindiz seventh loss

KARACHI: Fakhar Zaman’s gutsy half-century and an all-round bowling effort sealed a comprehensive 32-run win for Lahore Qalandars over Rawalpindiz in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Set a daunting 211, Rawalpindiz finished on 178-9, courtesy of valiant half-centuries from Yasir Khan and Saad Masood.

With their seventh straight loss, Rawalpindiz are officially out of the PSL 11 playoffs race.

After losing 17-2 in the first two overs, Daryl Mitchell and Yasir Khan stabilized the innings, putting the team back on course with a 71-run partnership. The pair took advantage of the fielding restriction and propelled the team’s score to 88 in 9.2 overs.

The momentum was with Rawalpindiz but Haris Rauf took wickets on successive deliveries to halt their progress.

Yasir, who remained the core aggressor, made 58 from 29, including three sixes and six fours. Mitchell hit one boundary in his sluggish 11 from 15 balls.

After quick wickets, Rawalpindiz batting lineup faltered and slumped to 134-8 in 16.4 overs. With the game done and dusted, Saad Masood hit a quick-fire fifty to help his side finish on a respectable total.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Saad hit nine fours and six on his way to 54 from 26 balls before Haris castled him.

For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf was the top-wicket taker, scalping three wickets. Usama Mir and Shaheen Afridi also took two wickets.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Farooq’s gutsy half-centuries powered Lahore Qalandars to a commanding total

After opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars racked up 210-4 in 20 overs, largely due to a big opening partnership between Zaman and Farooq.

The duo forged a 121-run partnership in 10.5 overs, laying a strong foundation for the defending champions. Mohammad Farooq remained the core aggressor while Fakhar Zaman played the second fiddle.

Farooq was eventually caught for 63 off 41 balls, laced with five sixes and five fours, while Fakhar continued on.

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The left-hander stitched another partnership of 70 runs with Abdullah Shafique, bringing the team’s total to 191 in 17.5 overs. Shafique scored 26 from 18, striking two sixes and a four.

Fakhar remained the top-scorer with 84 off 54, peppered with 11 fours and a maximum.

Rawalpindiz bowlers did well to curtail the run flow in the final overs, as Qalandars scored 45 from the last five.

For Rawalpindiz, Mohammad Amir and Razaullah picked up two wickets.

READ: Former pacer questions Ghazi Ghori’s selection for Bangladesh series

KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and opted to bat first against Rawalpindiz in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

This will the first time that both teams will be taking the field against each other as Rawalpindiz are playing for the first time in the tournament.

Playing XIs

Rawalpindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c and wk), Shahzaib Khan, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Dian Forrester, Saad Masood, Cole McConchie, Razaullah Khan, Asif Afridi, Mohammad Amir

Lahore Qalandars: M. Farooq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Charith Asalanka, Haseebullah (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi (c), Usama Mir, Haris Rauf

READ: PSL 11: Islamabad United name Dipendra Singh Airee’s replacement

LAHORE: Pakistan have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series in Bangladesh, set to begin from 8 May at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

The first of the two matches, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will be played in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test from 16 to 20 May.

Shan Masood will continue as Test captain, while four uncapped players, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, are part of the squad.

Among the squad, five players, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are currently taking part in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore.

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The players will undergo a camp in Karachi and will assemble on Monday, 27 April.  The camp will conclude on 1 May, with the players scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on 2 May.

Notably, the players who are currently taking part in PSL 11 will join the camp following the conclusion of their team’s campaign. Meanwhile, players whose teams qualify for the final will depart for Bangladesh after the conclusion of the tournament.

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: New Zealand edge Bangladesh in ODI series opener

KARACHI: Usman Tariq’s three wickets, backed by Rilee Rossouw’s unbeaten half-century, propelled Quetta Gladiators to a six-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in the 26th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

The Gladiators chased down 135 in 16.2 overs, losing only four wickets in the process.

Lahore Qalandars piled on a miserable start on Quetta Gladiators as they lost their openers in the first two overs. Shamyl Hussain was caught for a duck while Shakeel was run out for one.

With the side in deep trouble at 11-2, Hassan Nawaz and Rilee Rossouw launched a recovery, forging a 104-run partnership that took the game away from Qalandars.

The pair batted with great composure and took the score to 115 in 13.4 overs. Nawaz made 49 off 32, striking two sixes and six fours.

Meanwhile, Rossouw remained until the end, ensuring his team crossed the line. The left-handed batter struck five fours and two sixes in his 60* off 49 balls.

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For Lahore Qalandars, Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, a three-wicket haul from Usman Tariq bundled out Lahore Qalandars for a mere total. Qalandars could not capitalize on the decision to bat first as were bowled out for 134 on the final ball of the innings.

Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman added 20 for the opening wicket partnership before both batters fell in quick succession.

Naeem made four while Fakhar hit three boundaries in his 20 from 11 balls.

Quetta Gladiators continued to check Qalandars’ progress as they lost their third wicket in the powerplay. Charith Asalanka was caught for six as the defending champions were reduced to 36-3 in 4.4 overs.

The Qalandars continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with none of their batters getting going. At the halfway mark of the innings, they were in dire straits with six down for 60 runs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Haseebullah Khan top-scored with 33 off 37 balls, hitting four boundaries.

The pattern continued till the final over for Qalandars, but thanks to some lusty blows from Usama Mir, who took them to a fighting total. Mir scored 22 from seven with the aid of three sixes.

For Quetta Gladiators, Jahandad Khan and Usman Tariq took three wickets each.

READ: Shahid Afridi voices concern as Shapoor Zadran battles illness

KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and have decided to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 26th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Head to Head

Playing XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (capt.), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Jahandad Khan, Saqib Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Lahore Qalandars: Mohammad Naeem, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Charith Asalanka, Haseebullah (wk), Sikandar Raza, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Farooq, Shaheen Afridi (capt.), Usama Mir, Haris Rauf

READ: Shahid Afridi voices concern as Shapoor Zadran battles illness

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen all-rounder Glenn Maxwell on Thursday became the second player in T20 cricket history with 10, 000 runs and 200 wickets.

Maxwell reached the milestone during Rawalpindiz clash in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium.

The right-arm off-spinner dismissed compatriot Usman Khawa in the third over, marking his 200th wicket in limited-overs cricket. With this, he joined West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as the other player to reach the mark.

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Players with 10,000 runs and 200 wickets in T20 cricket

• Glenn Maxwell 11009 runs, 200 wickets in 505 matches
• Kieron Pollard 14482 runs, 333 wickets in 735 matches

Notably, his 11,009 runs in T20s were scored at a stunning strike rate of 154.12; meanwhile, his 200 wickets have come at an average of just over 30.

The right-handed batter boasts an impressive T20I record, having scored 2897 runs in 129 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 154.42, including five centuries and 12 half-centuries.

His all-round credentials further strengthen his value, with 49 wickets to his name in the format.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Interestingly, this is Maxwell’s first appearance in the PSL. Yet, despite not producing a standout individual performance so far, his presence seems to have shifted something within the Hyderabad Kingsmen camp.

Before his arrival, the team had lost four matches on the bounce and were struggling at the bottom of the table. However, since Maxwell joined the squad, they have won three consecutive games and climbed to fourth place.

READ: Quetta Gladiators rope in Sri Lanka veteran as Bevon Jacobs replacement

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dedicated Thursday to a breast cancer awareness initiative during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, marking the occasion as ‘Pink Day’ in a bid to use cricket’s platform for a wider social cause.

The campaign forms part of the board’s corporate social responsibility efforts, aiming to spread awareness about one of the most prevalent health challenges facing women in Pakistan.

In the double-header scheduled for today, Hyderabad Kingsmen will take on Rawalpindiz in the first match at 2.30pm PKT, while Karachi Kings and Islamabad United will go head-to-head in the afternoon game.

“The Pink Day will include a brace of activities and initiatives at the National Bank Stadium. All the players of the four teams in action today, the match officials, the PCB officials, the team owners will wear pink caps and ribbons,” the cricket board said in a statement.

The National Bank Stadium will reflect the theme, with pink stumps and specially designed broadcast graphics reinforcing the message.

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Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in Pakistan, accounting for 16.5 per cent of all cancer patients in the country, according to the available online surveys.

One in nine women in Pakistan develops breast cancer, putting the country at the highest rate of occurrence in Asia.

It can be cured and addressed better when society comes together to first raise awareness about the disease and then to stand steadfast with the patients and their families.

The PSL and PCB have organised the Pink Day in partnership with the Pink Ribbon Hospital in Lahore, which is Pakistan’s first Breast Cancer Charity Hospital. The PCB and Pink Ribbon Hospital have also arranged free-of-cost screening for women from 13 to 18 April in Lahore.

At 8pm PKT, the Pakistan Cricket fraternity is set to come together to share their messages and thoughts regarding Breast Cancer Awareness on X using the official hashtag of the day #GoPink.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The fans are also encouraged to express their views and thoughts regarding the Pink Day using the official hashtag.

In a notable gesture, Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana, along with players Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim and Muneeba Ali, will participate in pre-match activities to further highlight the importance of the cause.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer emphasised the league’s commitment to social impact, stating that the platform provides a powerful opportunity to educate the public and stand in solidarity with those affected.

“The HBL Pakistan Super League takes a lot of pride in standing up to raise awareness around breast cancer. Through the vehicle of sport and the sheer popularity of the HBL PSL as a brand, the PCB aims to go above and beyond to fulfil its corporate social responsibility,” he said.

“Through the HBL PSL 11 and this specially arranged Pink Day, we want to not only educate the masses about the disease but also to send out a strong message of solidarity to the patients, their families and the loved ones. We are thankful to the Pink Ribbon Hospital and the whole cricket fraternity for coming together to weave a net of security and empathy for women suffering from this disease in our society.”

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Sufiyan Muqeem and Babar Azam propelled the dominant Peshawar Zalmi to a decisive eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Zalmi chased down a mere target of 154 in 18.3 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam made light work of the chase, adding 75 in 8.4 overs. The former played the core aggressor role while the latter played the second fiddle.

Haris departed after hitting five fours and a six in his 35 from 28 balls.

Following his departure, in-form Kusal Mendis paired up with Babar and stitched a 49-run partnership that threw the Gladiators out of the game. There wasn’t much to cheer for Quetta Gladiators bowlers as Zalmi batters kept them at bay with their stroke play.

Mendis was eventually caught after scoring 21 off 19 balls. Meanwhile, Babar continued to anchor the innings and finished with a boundary.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

He top-scored with 71* from 51 balls laced with 10 fours while Aaron Hardie struck one boundary in his unbeaten 18 from 14 balls.

For Quetta Gladiators, Alzarri Joseph and Saud Shakeel picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi’s spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and pacer Mohammad Basit’s three-wicket haul bundled out Quetta Gladiators for a modest total

Put in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators’ shambolic batting display saw their innings folded for 154 in 20 overs.

The Gladiators lost their promoted opener, Ahsan Ali, for four in the first over.  Following the early wicket, Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw added 35 for the second wicket partnership. The scorecard read 39 when skipper Saud was run out after making 16 from 13 balls.

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Peshawar Zalmi continued to chip away with wickets at regular intervals. Rossouw (26 off 18 balls) was cleaned up by Sufiyan Muqeem, whereas Shamyl Hussain departed for 12.

Consequently, Gladiators were 86-4 in 11.4 overs. The only silver lining was Hassan Nawaz, who top-scored with 37 off 35, including four boundaries.  He was involved in a brief 26-run stand with Khawaja Nafay before getting caught behind.

Nafay could not get going as well and was lbw for 20.

Peshawar Zalmi bowlers squeezed the runs flow and eventually bowled the opposition out on the final ball of the innings.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and decided to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday. 

Head to Head

Zalmi lead the head-to-head with 13 wins, while the Gladiators have won 10 games.

Matches: 24 Peshawar Zalmi 13, Quetta Gladiators 10

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Aaron Hardie, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit Ali, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Ahsan Ali, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: England captain Ben Stokes ‘lucky’ to be alive after facial injury