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The injury-hit Rawalpindiz have moved swiftly to reinforce their pace attack, announcing the signing of New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The development comes in the wake of injuries to frontline pacers Naseem Shah and Zaman Khan, forcing the franchise to seek immediate reinforcements.

Sources revealed that Sears, currently touring Sri Lanka with New Zealand A, is expected to link up with the squad soon, pending necessary clearances.

The right-arm pacer is set to make his PSL debut, bringing with him limited franchise experience, having previously featured in Major League Cricket (MLC) for the Washington Freedom.

On the international stage, Sears has represented New Zealand in 27 T20Is, claiming 31 wickets, in addition to picking up 10 wickets in just four ODIs.

Rawalpindiz’s bowling concerns have deepened following confirmation that Naseem Shah has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after sustaining a side injury during a recent clash against Karachi Kings.

While the pacer remains part of the squad, he is undergoing rehabilitation, with further medical assessments scheduled for April 15 to evaluate his recovery timeline.

Earlier, Zaman Khan was sidelined after suffering a dislocation of the acromioclavicular (ACJ) joint in his right shoulder during the National T20 Cup. He has since been replaced in the squad by Jalat Khan.

Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Rawalpindiz will now be hoping that Sears can provide immediate impact as they prepare for their next encounter against Quetta Gladiators on April 10.

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The Rawalpindiz have suffered a significant setback in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after premier fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out of action due to injury.

According to a statement issued by the franchise, the right-arm pacer sustained a side strain during their recent match against Karachi Kings, forcing him to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The team’s medical staff are currently monitoring his recovery closely, with management hoping for a potential return towards the latter stages of the tournament, subject to progress in rehabilitation and final fitness clearance.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Despite the setback, the franchise expressed full support for the 23-year-old, describing him as a key member of the squad and stressing their commitment to his recovery process.

The management added that they are hopeful of seeing him return stronger once fully fit.

Naseem’s injury comes at an unfortunate time, as he endured a difficult start to the campaign, managing just one wicket in his outing against Karachi Kings after going wicketless while conceding 51 runs in the opening match.

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The development further compounds a challenging start for Rawalpindiz, who have struggled for form in PSL 11.

The side has lost all three of their opening fixtures and currently sit seventh on the points table, just above fellow winless debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Rawalpindiz squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Razaullah, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Cole McConchie, Usman Khawaja, Saad Masood

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KARACHI: Karachi Kings are set to receive a timely boost as United Arab Emirates (UAE) players Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer are expected to rejoin the squad ahead of their next fixture in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Team director Haider Azhar confirmed that both players will arrive back in Karachi on Tuesday and will be available for selection for the Kings’ upcoming clash against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

The duo had earlier left the PSL midway after being recalled by the Emirates Cricket Board to participate in the domestic D50 tournament.

The directive required both players to return immediately and feature in the ongoing 50-over competition in the UAE.

However, in a development that comes as a relief for the Kings, Waseem and Khuzaima have now been granted permission to rejoin their franchise after completing two matches in the domestic tournament.

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Waseem has already featured in three matches this season, registering mixed returns with scores of 0, 38 and 23. Meanwhile, Khuzaima is yet to make his debut in the ongoing edition.

The return of the two players strengthens an already in-form Karachi Kings side, led by David Warner, who currently sit in the second position of the points table with three wins from three matches and a net run rate of 0.486.

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LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

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LAHORE: The upcoming match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans is likely to be affected by weather concerns here on Friday.

A light drizzle had already set in by the evening, forcing ground staff to swiftly cover the pitch and outfield at the LCCA Ground as a precautionary measure, raising concerns over a potential delay or interruption.

According to weather forecasts, conditions in Lahore remain far from ideal for cricket. At around 6:00 PM local time, thunderstorms were reported with temperatures hovering at 19°C but feeling closer to 15°C due to the wind chill.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Winds from the south-west, coupled with high humidity levels touching 85%, have added to the discomfort, while over 12 mm of rainfall has already been recorded.

Visibility has also been significantly reduced, with dense cloud cover and a low ceiling contributing to gloomy playing conditions. Air quality remains unhealthy, further compounding the challenges for players and officials.

While a slight improvement is expected by 7:00 PM, with rainfall predicted to ease and temperatures dipping marginally, the overall outlook still suggests unstable weather.

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Cloud cover is set to remain heavy, and visibility is unlikely to improve substantially, keeping the possibility of interruptions alive.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the mid-table with one win and one loss.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Technical Committee has upheld the two-match suspension of Fakhar Zaman, dismissing the Lahore Qalandars opener’s appeal against the sanction imposed earlier this week.

Fakhar was penalised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the tournament’s Code of Conduct, relating to ball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars’ clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The left-handed batter had denied the charge and opted for a full disciplinary hearing, which was conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama. Following a review of the evidence and Fakhar’s defence, the referee imposed a two-match suspension, the maximum penalty for a first Level 3 offence.

In response, Fakhar Zaman lodged a formal appeal, seeking a reassessment of the decision.

The matter was then revisited by the PSL Technical Committee, which conducted a fresh review before arriving at the same conclusion.

According to the PCB, the committee, comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Syed Ali Naqi, carried out a de novo inquiry, examining all available evidence and hearing submissions from relevant parties before dismissing the appeal.

“Pursuant to conducting a de novo inquiry, reviewing all evidence, and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the Committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two-match ban imposed by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama,” the cricket board stated.

The board confirmed that the original sanction would stand, meaning Fakhar will now miss Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming fixtures, including their match against Multan Sultans on April 3 at Gaddafi Stadium, followed by an away game against Islamabad United on April 9.

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LAHORE: Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten century to guide Multan Sultans to a commanding six-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in a high-scoring encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting 226-run target, the Sultans produced a clinical batting display, reaching the target with eight balls to spare and four wickets in hand.

Farhan was the architect of the remarkable chase, remaining unbeaten on a scintillating 106 off just 57 deliveries. His innings, laced with eight sixes and seven fours, ensured the Sultans stayed ahead throughout the run-chase.

He found solid support at the top from Steve Smith, who scored a fluent 46, while vice-captain Shan Masood added a valuable 29.

Farhan then stitched an unbroken 37-run stand with Arafat Minhas, who played a quickfire cameo of 26 off 11 balls to seal the win in style

Earlier, Hyderabad Kingsmen posted an imposing 225-5 after being put into bat, riding on aggressive contributions from their top order.

The opening pair of Saim Ayub and Maaz Sadaqat provided a flying start, adding 59 runs in the first five overs before Peter Siddle broke the stand by dismissing the former for 27.

Sadaqat continued his impressive form, hammering a rapid 62 off 26 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes, before falling to Mohammad Nawaz.

Veteran Sharjeel Khan then anchored the latter half of the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, ensuring the Kingsmen posted a formidable total.

Notably, this was the third defeat for the Hyderabad Kingsmen, whereas Multan Sultans are sitting at the top of the PSL 11 points table with two victories in as many games.

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Karachi Kings’ spinner Adam Zampa has shed light on his decision to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 instead of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), pointing to financial imbalance and limited opportunities as key factors behind the move.

Speaking during the ARY Podcast, the Australian leg-spinner offered a candid assessment of his situation, revealing that his skill set did not attract lucrative deals in the IPL despite the league’s massive financial scale.

“To be brutally honest, for someone with my skill set, the money just isn’t there compared to what’s available for other skill sets,” Zampa said.

“Considering the amount of time the IPL requires, it didn’t seem like a reasonable choice for me to keep playing.”

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Adam Zampa admitted that he was not a primary target for IPL franchises, which ultimately influenced his decision to step away from the tournament.

The 34-year-old had initially planned to take a short break from cricket before an unexpected opportunity emerged in the PSL.

“I was planning to take a break, but then the PSL came onto the radar about a month ago. It all happened pretty quickly, but I’m enjoying it,” he added.

The leg-spinner was subsequently picked by Karachi Kings during the league’s first-ever auction, and he has already made a notable impact in the ongoing season.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Zampa has played a key role in Karachi’s early success, claiming three crucial wickets across their opening matches and contributing significantly to both victories.

Reflecting on his initial experience in the PSL, Zampa praised the competitiveness of the tournament, highlighting the quality of opposition he has faced so far.

“You look at some of the teams and the names they have, especially in the bowling attack, it’s almost international-level quality,” he said. “Even in a game where we were chasing 129, it went right down to the wire, which shows how strong these sides are.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi has been abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with both teams sharing points after no play was possible.

The weather had already delayed proceedings, with the toss initially postponed due to steady rainfall.

However, conditions failed to improve in time for even a shortened contest, prompting match officials to eventually call off the seventh match of the tournament.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, had entered the fixture on the back of an impressive five-wicket victory over tournament debutants Rawalpindiz.

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Chasing a daunting 215, Peshawar produced a collective batting effort, highlighted by Mohammad Haris’s 47 off 28 deliveries, alongside valuable contributions from Babar (39) and Michael Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 35.

In contrast, Islamabad United were looking to bounce back after suffering a five-wicket defeat against Multan Sultans in their previous outing.

Despite setting a competitive 172, United were outplayed as the Sultans chased down the target comfortably, powered by Josh Philippe’s half-century and an unbeaten knock from captain Ashton Turner.

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, Shoriful Islam

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq, Mohsin Riaz, Chris Green, Mohammad Salman Mirza

READ: PSL 11: Fakhar Zaman handed a two-match ban over ball-tampering

LAHORE: Karachi Kings held their nerve in a tense finish to register a four-wicket victory over defending champions Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring encounter during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 129 on a tricky surface, Karachi stumbled early but recovered just in time to cross the line with three balls to spare, finishing on 131-6.

The run chase did not start as planned for the Kings as captain David Warner (8) and Salman Ali Agha (0) were both removed in the third over by the Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving the side reeling at 10-2.

Muhammad Waseem then anchored the innings with a gritty 38 off 37 deliveries, stitching together valuable partnerships of 29 and 43 with Saad Baig (19) and Moeen Ali (18), respectively, to keep the chase alive.

However, Shaheen returned to dismantle the middle order, dismissing both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over to put Lahore firmly back in control at 88-5.

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With pressure mounting, Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan added a crucial 32-run stand, bringing the equation down to 14 required from the final over.

In a dramatic twist, a five-run penalty was awarded to Karachi after the umpires ruled the ball had been altered, reducing the target to nine off the last six deliveries.

Haris Rauf struck on the first ball of the final over, dismissing Khushdil courtesy of a sharp catch by Sikandar Raza.

But the game turned instantly as Abbas Afridi smashed a boundary and a six off the next two balls to seal a thrilling win for Karachi.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Earlier, Karachi Kings’ bowlers set up the contest with a disciplined effort to restrict Lahore to 128-9.

Moeen Ali provided an early breakthrough by removing Fakhar Zaman (1) in the opening over.

Abdullah Shafique then tried to stabilise the innings with a measured 33, adding small but useful partnerships of 25 and 28 with Mohammad Naeem (13) and Parvez Hossain Emon (12) respectively.

A 43-run stand between Haseebullah Khan (28) and Sikandar Raza (19) briefly revived Lahore’s hopes, but regular wickets ensured they never built sustained momentum.

For Karachi, Adam Zampa, Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali picked up two wickets each, while Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha and Abbas Afridi chipped in with one apiece.

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