Category: Sports

Opening batter Fakhar Zaman has thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his heartfelt birthday wish.

Earlier today, Mohsin Naqvi sent Fakhar a bouquet with a heartfelt note.

“Warmest Happy Birthday Fakhar Zaman from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi”, the note on the bouquet read.

The left-hander who turned 36 today has represented Pakistan in three Tests, 92 ODIs, and 120 T20Is.

“Thank you very much, Chairman [Mr Mohsin Naqvi], for such a wonderful gesture. Your kind birthday wishes and the beautiful flowers truly meant a lot. Grateful for your warmth and thoughtfulness,” Fakhar said in a video message.

Thank you very much, Chairman @MohsinnaqviC42 Sb for such a wonderful gesture. Your kind birthday wishes and the beautiful flowers truly meant a lot. Grateful for your warmth and thoughtfulness. pic.twitter.com/Rh3k1ojt15

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) April 10, 2026

For the unversed, Fakhar was penalised by the 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.

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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. The board confirmed that the original sanction would stand.

Following this, Fakhar missed 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.

Fakhar Zaman will return to action for Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi here at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

READ: Nuwan Thushara issues apology to Sri Lanka Cricket

KARACHI: Rilee Rossouw’s half-century and a dominant bowling performance helped Quetta Gladiators defeat Rawalpindiz by 61 runs in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Set a stiff 183 to chase, Rawalpindiz innings folded on a mere 121 run total in 17.3 overs.

The chase started on a shaky note as skipper Mohammad Rizwan was sent back for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings.

After an early wicket, opener Yasir Khan decided to take on the bowlers and accumulated 14 runs in the second over.

Rawalpindiz were 27 in 2.5 overs before Usman Khawaja (7) was run out, putting them in further trouble.

Meanwhile, Yasir continued on as Rawalpindiz reached 45 in the fifth over. However, his innings ended on 22 after holing out to deep wicket.

With Rawalpindiz in deep trouble, Daryl Mitchell and Abdullah Fazal came to the fore, putting the chase back on track with a 33-run partnership.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The scorecard read 77 in 11 overs when Usman Khan removed Abdullah Fazal ( 20) to break the threatening stand.

In the very next over, Saud Shakeel picked up two wickets, removing Daryl Mitchell (30 off 32) and Sam Billings for one run to put Quetta Gladiators into a winning position.

Rawalpindiz innings quickly unraveled after the quick wickets as they lost control of the game and were bowled out for a modest score.

For Quetta Gladiators, Saud Shakeel, Usman Tariq, and Jahandad Khan picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Rilee Rossouw composed half-century and Hassan Nawaz’s blistering knock powered Quetta Gladiators to a strong total.

Asked to bat first, Quetta Gladiators managed to post 182-6 on the board in their 20 overs.

After a quiet power play, Rilee Rossouw and skipper Saud Shakeel added 87 off 67 balls for the second wicket partnership to put the Gladiators in a strong position.

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Rossouw made 53 off 42 with the aid of six boundaries and a maximum before getting caught off Mubasir Khan’s bowling.

Saud Shakeel soon followed him after scoring 42 from 39, including three boundaries.

At this stage, Gladitors were 123-3 in 15.3 overs with Hassan Nawaz at the fore.

The right remained instrumental in helping his side reach a commendable total. He struck five sixes on his way to 39 from only 16 balls.

For Rawalpindiz, Ben Sears picked up three wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Abrar confident of Quetta Gladiators comeback after shaky start

KARACHI: Rawalpindiz have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

This will be the first time the two teams will be facing each other, with Rawalpindiz playing in the tournament for the first time.

Quetta Gladiators have won only one out of three matches while Pindiz are in search of their first win.

Playing XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (capt), Sam Harper, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Rilee Rossouw, Jahandad Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Usman Tariq

RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), Usman Khawaja, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Abdullah Fazal, Saad Masood, Mubasir Khan, Asif Afridi, Ben Sears, Mohammad Amir

READ: Abrar confident of Quetta Gladiators comeback after shaky start

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators spinner Abrar Ahmed has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to recover from a shaky start in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

While giving an interview on a private channel, Abrar expressed confidence in the team despite winning only one out of three matches in the Lahore leg.

“We have left the previous stage behind because it wasn’t good for us. Now we want to begin again from here,” he said.

“We were winning some matches but lost them due to mistakes in the middle order. In a couple of games, including against Islamabad and Karachi Kings, we had control but couldn’t finish,” he added.

The mystery spinner is hopeful of lifting the trophy for his side with a strong bowling performance.

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“My personal goal is simple — to win the trophy for Quetta Gladiators,” he explained.

Maintaining a good economy rate and bowling consistently matter more than topping the wicket charts if it helps the team reach the final.

Abrar remarked about bowling with a plan and expressed hope that he would soon see the crowd in the PSL.

“You have to read the wicket, understand the batter, and adjust your plans accordingly. Everything is about situation-based bowling,” Abrar maintained.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“The crowd makes the game more alive. Hopefully, things improve and we see fans back in the stands soon.”

The 27-year-old said his focus is solely on playing cricket, regardless of the venue anywhere in the world.

“My job is to play cricket. Whether I play here or anywhere in the world, my focus remains only on the game,” he concluded.

Quetta Gladiators will face winless Rawalpindiz in the 18th match of the PSL 11.

READ: Moeen Ali highlights rhythm issues after long break

Pace bowler Nuwan Thushara has issued an apology to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and expressed his willingness to withdraw legal proceedings following a dispute over the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

In a formal email addressed to SLC Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva, with copies sent to board president Shammi Silva and another senior official, the fast bowler clarified that his actions were never intended to escalate the matter into a legal confrontation.

“My sole intention throughout this process has been to seek fairness and justice, as I genuinely feel that I have been treated unfairly in this matter,” Thushara wrote.

He further emphasised that his initial steps were motivated by a desire to have his concerns heard, rather than to create conflict or damage the reputation of the board.

“The steps I initially considered were driven by a desire to have my concerns heard and addressed appropriately, rather than to create conflict or bring disrepute to the organization,” he added.

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Nuwan Thushara also expressed regret over any inconvenience caused to the board and its officials during the ongoing dispute.

“I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience, misunderstanding, or distress that my actions may have caused to Sri Lanka Cricket and its officials,” he stated.

In the same communication, the pacer indicated that he remains open to an amicable resolution and is prepared to withdraw legal action altogether.

“With this in mind, I would like to express my willingness to withdraw any legal action and instead seek an amicable resolution to this matter. I remain hopeful that we can move forward in a positive and constructive manner,” he said.

The right-arm fast bowler had earlier approached the Colombo District Court, seeking an order compelling SLC to issue him an NOC for franchise opportunities abroad, including the IPL.

However, the request was rejected by SLC because he had not met the board’s newly introduced fitness requirements, which led to the escalation of the dispute.

READ: Moeen Ali highlights rhythm issues after long break

KARACHI: Karachi Kings all-rounder Moeen Ali has admitted that his side failed to adapt to conditions and were outplayed in their 159-run defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night.

Karachi endured a tough evening after Zalmi posted a towering 246 for 3, driven by a record-breaking 191-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam.  In response, the Kings collapsed for just 87 in 16.1 overs, marking a heavy setback in their campaign.

Speaking after the match, Moeen pointed to poor adaptation to conditions as a key factor behind the defeat.

“The pitch was fine, we just did not play well, probably did not adapt to the conditions or wicket as much as we should have,” Moeen said in the post-match press conference.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Reflecting on the batting collapse during the massive chase, Moeen stressed the importance of intent in the powerplay while acknowledging the difficulty of balancing aggression with caution.

“You need to have a good start, a good power play. We needed to get off to a flying start and not lose many wickets, which is always difficult when you are playing aggressive cricket,” he said.

“Maybe we should have been a bit smarter with the run rate. But it’s still early in the tournament, winning games is the most important thing. You cannot really think too much about the run rate at this stage.”

He also credited Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling unit for executing their plans effectively.

“I thought they bowled really well. It was just a bad day in the office for us,” he added.

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The England all-rounder further reflected on the challenge of maintaining rhythm in a tournament schedule, especially after Karachi’s seven-day gap between matches, having last played on 2 April before returning to action on 9 April.

“A seven-day break is quite long. It is difficult for players because we cannot really go anywhere, and it can affect rhythm,” Moeen explained.

“Having said that, we still have to be professional, train well, and perform. You can get into bad habits during long breaks, so we have to be careful. But these things can happen in cricket. we just need to come back strong in the next game.”

READ: PCB reveals schedule for Zimbabwe women’s first-ever Pakistan tour

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the schedule for Zimbabwe women’s first-ever tour of Pakistan for a six-match white-ball series later this month.

The tour will feature three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, all scheduled to be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Zimbabwe are set to arrive on 29 April, with both teams slated to undergo training sessions from 30 April to 2 May ahead of the series opener.

The ODI leg, which forms part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be played on 3, 6 and 9 May, with each match starting at 3:30pm local time. The T20I series will follow on 12, 14 and 15 May, with evening starts at 7:30pm.

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Pakistan currently sit fifth on the ICC Women’s Championship standings, having earned two points from their only series so far, a three-match ODI tour of the South Africa women’s cricket team earlier this year.

Beyond the bilateral contest, the T20Is will hold added significance for Pakistan as they gear up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July.

As part of their preparations, Pakistan will also participate in a T20I tri-nation series in Ireland, alongside the hosts and the West Indies women’s national cricket team, with matches set to take place from 28 May to 4 June.

Series schedule (all matches at National Bank Stadium, Karachi):

• 29 April – Zimbabwe arrive in Karachi
• 30 April – 2 May – Training sessions for both teams
• 3 May – 1st ODI
• 6 May – 2nd ODI
• 9 May – 3rd ODI
• 12 May – 1st T20I
• 14 May – 2nd T20I
• 15 May – 3rd T20I

READ: Karachi Kings’ David Warner sees wake-up call in Peshawar Zalmi defeat

KARACHI: David Warner has termed the Karachi Kings’ crushing defeat to Peshawar Zalmi as a potential turning point, suggesting that such setbacks can help revive the squad’s energy during a long tournament.

The Karachi Kings suffered a humbling 159-run loss in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at the National Bank Stadium, after conceding a record 246 for 3 and then being bowled out for just 87 in reply.

Reflecting on the defeat, Warner admitted that his side failed to execute their plans, particularly during the middle phase of the innings when the game slipped away.

“I think our decision to bowl first was what we wanted to do and intended to do. But when you allow two stroke-makers time to settle and hit boundaries consistently every over, it becomes really difficult to pull things back,” Warner said after the match.

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The Kings’ captain pointed out that the contest was still evenly poised at one stage before a costly passage of play shifted momentum decisively in Zalmi’s favour.

“I thought at the 10-over mark we were still in the game, but in the next three overs they scored around 50-60 runs, which is unacceptable at this level,” he added.

David Warner also acknowledged that despite a promising start with the ball, his side failed to maintain pressure, allowing the opposition to fully capitalise.

“In the first six overs, you’ve got to try and stay positive. A couple of good balls led to wickets, and there was also some good fielding in the outfield. But credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board,” he noted.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Chasing a daunting target, Karachi never looked in contention, eventually collapsing for their lowest total in PSL history. Warner admitted the scale of the target made the chase increasingly difficult.

“Credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board. It was always going to be a tough chase,” he said.

Despite the heavy defeat, their first of the campaign, Warner remained optimistic, insisting that such results can sometimes serve as a catalyst for improvement.

“In tournaments like these, sometimes you need a loss like this to bring the energy back into the group,” he remarked.

“When you’ve had six or seven days off, it can take a bit of time to get back into rhythm. But the boys are in good spirits, we’ve got a great group, and we will take the positives. We will enjoy tomorrow off and come back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rewrite record books in PSL win over Karachi Kings

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday pulled out of next week’s Stuttgart Open, citing an injury sustained at the Miami Open in March.

The Belarusian wrote on social media that she had failed to recover in time for the clay court tournament, which starts on Monday.

“I’m very sad to say that I won’t be able to play the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix this year,” Sabalenka wrote in an Instagram story on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, I suffered an injury after Miami, and even though I tried everything to recover in time, I’m not ready to compete.

“I’m really sorry to miss this amazing tournament. Wishing everyone a great week in Stuttgart, and I hope to see you all again very soon.”

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Notably, the 27-year-old did not specify the nature of the injury.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has made it to the final in Stuttgart in four of the past five years but is yet to win the tournament.

“I always love coming back to Stuttgart. The atmosphere, the fans, and the support I feel there are so special to me. And of course, I was really hoping to have another chance to fight for that Porsche.”

Sabalenka beat local favourite Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Miami Open to make it a “sunshine double,” having won the WTA 1000 at Indian Wells two weeks prior.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rewrite record books in PSL win over Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi delivered a record-shattering performance in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, piling up a massive 246 for 3 against Karachi Kings before sealing a historic 159-run victory at the National Bank Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Zalmi recovered from an early setback, losing Mohammad Haris for a duck on just the second ball, to produce one of the most dominant batting displays in PSL history.

The turnaround was orchestrated by Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis, who stitched together a staggering 191-run partnership for the second wicket.

That stand is now the highest for any wicket in PSL history, eclipsing the previous best of 176 set by Babar and Sharjeel Khan back in 2021.

Highest partnerships in PSL

• Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 191 runs against Karachi Kings in 2026
• Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 176 runs against Islamabad United in 2021
• Saim Ayub and Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) – 162 runs against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• David Warner and James Vince (Karachi Kings) – 162 runs against Peshawar Zalmi in 2025
• Liam Livingstone and Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) – 157 runs against Multan Sultans in 2019

Zalmi’s total of 246/3 also entered the record books as the highest ever at the National Bank Stadium, surpassing the previous mark of 238/3.

It is now the sixth-highest total in PSL history and the franchise’s highest-ever score, improving on their previous best of 242/6.

Notably, the record for the highest total in PSL history belongs to Quetta Gladiators, who posted 263/3 last season against Islamabad United.

Highest totals in PSL history

• Quetta Gladiators – 263/3 against Islamabad United in 2025
• Multan Sultans – 262/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• Quetta Gladiators – 253/8 against Multan Sultans in 2023
• Islamabad United – 251/5 against Karachi Kings in 2025
• Islamabad United – 247/2 against Peshawar Zalmi in 2021
• Peshawar Zalmi – 246/3 against Karachi Kings in 2026

In response, Karachi Kings crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 87 in 16.1 overs, which is their lowest total in PSL history.

The collapse also marked the lowest-ever total recorded at the National Bank Stadium, underlining the one-sided nature of the contest.

The defeat margin of 159 runs is now the biggest in PSL history, surpassing the previous unwanted record held by Multan Sultans, who had suffered a 120-run loss against the same opposition last season.

READ: Babar Azam breaks Chris Gayle’s record during Karachi Kings clash