Tag: Hyderabad Kingsmen

LAHORE: The opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen is set to be played under heavily overcast conditions, with weather concerns lingering ahead of the curtain-raiser.

Three-time champions Lahore Qalandars will begin their title defence against a new-look Hyderabad Kingsmen side in what marks the start of the expanded 11th edition of the tournament, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

While rain has already disrupted preparations, including a recently abandoned practice match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the LCCA Ground, conditions on match day are expected to remain dry but far from clear.

At around 6:00 PM, Lahore is forecast to experience fully cloudy skies with temperatures hovering near 26°C and a RealFeel of 25°C, indicating relatively comfortable playing conditions. Winds will blow from the west-northwest at around 15 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 22 km/h, providing a steady breeze across the venue.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Humidity levels are expected to stay in the low-to-mid 50s, gradually rising as the evening progresses, while cloud cover is predicted to remain near total, leaving no room for sunlight. Visibility is expected to remain fair at around 8 km, with low UV exposure due to night conditions.

However, air quality remains a concern, with forecasts indicating poor conditions that may cause discomfort, particularly for players and spectators with respiratory sensitivities.

By 7:00 PM, conditions are expected to remain largely unchanged, with temperatures slightly rising to 27°C and humidity edging higher, making the atmosphere a bit more moisture-heavy but still within playable limits.

Lahore Qalandars squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl and Shahab Khan.

Hyderabad Kingsmen squad: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign another Zimbabwe player for PSL 11

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen have bolstered their squad ahead of the tournament’s 11th edition with the signing of Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

The franchise confirmed the addition through their official social media platforms, welcoming the mystery spinner with a message that highlighted his reputation as a “wily operator.”

Theekshana arrives with a wealth of experience in T20 cricket. The 25-year-old has featured in 83 T20 internationals for Sri Lanka, picking up 82 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.08.

Across all T20 competitions, he has claimed 230 wickets in 225 matches, underlining his effectiveness in the shortest format.

Set to make his PSL debut, Theekshana also brings extensive franchise experience, having plied his trade in leagues around the world, including the IPL, ILT20, SA20, CPL and the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The upcoming PSL 11 marks a historic shift, with eight teams participating for the first time. Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz are the two new entrants in a tournament that will feature 44 matches over a 39-day window.

However, preparations for the marquee event have taken a significant turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revising its initial plans.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday that the tournament will now be held across just two venues, Karachi and Lahore, and will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Hyderabad Kingsmen Squad for PSL 11

Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain.

READ: India-US consortium buys IPL Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.7bn

Hyderabad Kingsmen owner Fawad Sarwar provided an update on the availability of star batter Glenn Maxwell for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

The tournament will run from March 26 behind closed doors across two venues in Pakistan.

Sarwar confirmed during a live stream on the franchise’s social handle that Maxwell will be available during the second half of the tournament.

“Due to the geopolitical situation, Maxwell will join Hyderabad Kingsmen in the second half and will stay until the end of the season,” Sarwar said.

This will be the talismanic batter’s first appearance in the PSL, having previously represented several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Glenn Maxwell, 37, has extensive experience with 129 T20I matches and scored 2,897 runs at a strike rate of 158.42.

Overall, he has played 502 T20s, amassing 10,986 runs at an average of 27.53, including eight centuries and 58 half-centuries. The right-hander has also recorded the highest score of 154.

For those unaware, PSL 11 will be played from March 26 behind closed doors at two venues, Lahore and Karachi.

Hyderabad Kingsmen will play their debut match against the defending champions Lahore Qalandars at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Hyderabad Kingsmen Squad for PSL 11:

Marnus Labuschagne (c), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, and Ahmed Hussain.

READ: Spinners help South Africa level T20I series against New Zealand