Tag: Javed Afridi

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has extended an official invitation to former captain Daren Sammy to attend the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, following strong fan demand after the former champions booked their place in the title decider.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, secured their spot in the final with a commanding win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium. The final is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.

Following the victory, fans flooded social media, urging Afridi to bring back Sammy, who famously led Zalmi to their maiden PSL title in 2017.

Responding to the calls, Afridi shared an Instagram story tagging the former West Indies skipper and inviting him to be part of the occasion.

“Brother, we are officially inviting you to witness the final match of Zalmi (fans request) @darensammy88,” Afridi wrote.

Daren Sammy remains one of the most iconic figures in Zalmi’s history, having been part of the franchise during its early years.

He captained the side for four seasons and played a key role in their 2017 title triumph, when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final.

Since that title-winning campaign, Zalmi have reached the final on three more occasions, in 2018, 2019 and 2021, but have fallen short each time in their quest for a second trophy.

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However, the ongoing PSL 11 season has seen Zalmi return as one of the most dominant sides. They topped the league stage with eight wins, just one defeat and one no-result from 10 matches, finishing with 17 points and an impressive net run rate of 2.324.

Their win over Islamabad United marked their fifth appearance in a PSL final, and they will now face the winner of the second Eliminator, to be contested between Islamabad United and Hyderabad Kingsmen, in the grand finale.

READ: JP Duminy concludes PSL 11 commentary stint

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has put an end to speculation surrounding the availability of key overseas players ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, confirming that all contracted foreign stars will be available for the full tournament.

In a recent Instagram Q&A session, Afridi dismissed widespread reports suggesting limited participation of several players.

Rumours had indicated that Nahid Rana would feature only in the initial matches, Aaron Hardie might miss the season entirely, while Kusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell were expected to be unavailable for parts of the competition.

However, Afridi categorically rejected those claims with a brief but clear response, confirming that all four players will be available throughout the tournament.

The development comes as a significant boost for Zalmi, who are aiming to mount a strong campaign in the expanded eight-team edition of the league, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

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Adding to the excitement, Zalmi are also set to mark a historic milestone this season. For the first time, the franchise will play a home fixture in Peshawar, with the Imran Khan Stadium hosting its maiden PSL match.

The landmark encounter is scheduled for March 28, when Zalmi will take on Rawalpindiz in an afternoon clash.

Led by Babar Azam, Zalmi’s squad features a mix of international experience and domestic talent, including names such as Hardie, Bracewell, Mendis, James Vince and Iftikhar Ahmed.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousaf, Muhammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.

READ: PSL 11 squads locked in as trade window closes

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has broken his silence, indicating significant changes after the franchise’s exit from Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 following a defeat to Lahore Qalandars.

For the first time since the inception of the PSL, Peshawar Zalmi has failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Following the game, Javed Afridi took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and addressed the heartbreak felt by Zalmi’s loyal fanbase and assured them that the team would come back stronger.

His message carried both accountability and optimism, as he pledged a major overhaul aimed at rebuilding the franchise with renewed purpose.

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“This season’s outcome hurts, but this platform remains a launchpad for national careers,” Afridi wrote. “Major changes are coming—we’ll rebuild with grit and purpose. InshaAllah.”

He also called for unity among PSL fans, urging Zalmi supporters to back all teams in the true spirit of cricket, despite the disappointment.

“Request to all Zalmi Fans, as a national product, let’s unite to support all PSL teams in the spirit of cricket,” he added.

Javed Afridi further reiterated Zalmi’s long-term vision of elevating the PSL experience beyond the boundary ropes, promising initiatives such as Fan Parks, Yellow Storm stadium fan zones, and vibrant marketing campaigns in future editions.

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“Stay with us—the storm returns stronger! 💛” he signed off.

Zalmi’s campaign in PSL 10 ended with a 26-run defeat against Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi, a rain-affected, must-win match where they fell short while chasing 150 in 13 overs, closing at 123 for 8.

Led by Babar Azam, the 2017 champions failed to find momentum throughout the season, finishing with four wins and six losses in ten matches. Their tally of eight points and a net run-rate of -0.293 wasn’t enough to carry them through.

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