Tag: Lahore Qalandars

RAWALPINDI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Lahore Qalandars in the rain-shortened encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The match is reduced to 13 overs per side with revised playing conditions.

PLAYING XIs:

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Perera (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shakib Al Hasan, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi (cap), Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf

Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (cap), Max Bryant, Maaz Sadaqat, Abdul Samad, Daniel Sams, Luke Wood, Mohammad Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

HEAD TO HEAD

Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi have played each other 21 times since the inception of the PSL. In these encounters, Zalmi has won 12 times while Qalandars have secured 8 victories.

RECORD: Matches 21, Lahore Qalandars 8 , Peshawar Zalmi 12

The eagerly awaited season 10 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicked off on Friday, 11 April, filling cricket fans with excitement.

However, the tournament faced an unexpected pause as tensions flared across the border with India.

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Originally slated to culminate on Sunday, 18 May, the final showdown has now been rescheduled to take place on a thrilling Sunday, 25 May, promising high-stakes action and unforgettable moments for fans.

READ: PSL 10: Quetta Gladiators seal top spot with last-ball win over Multan Sultans

Lahore Qalandars faced a significant blow ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 resumption as their ace all-rounder, David Wiese, has opted out of the remaining matches.

While speaking on a sports platform, David Wiese shed light on the situation that unfolded during the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

“Unfortunately, I saw the toll it took on my family, and I think the toughest thing was that we in Pakistan know how far we are away from the borders, and you know the security and everything there,” he said.

”But if you haven’t been there and are just watching the news, you would think it is an active war zone and that lives were in danger the whole time,” Wiese added.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

David emphasised the decision of not participating in the remaining matches of the PSL, however, he remained optimistic for the next year’s edition.

“Ultimately it was the big decision for me to leave the tournament originally, and also decided that I am not going to be heading back for the remainder of the tournament.”

“I’ve told everybody that I’m not going to be back this year, but next year again, definitely very keen to be going back again,” he explained.

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The South Africa-born cricketer also praised the security measures during the conflict and mentioned the communication between team management.

“We were in constant contact with the players’ association from various countries, and the security team were keeping us up to date with what was going on.”

“Our team owners and management were also quite open and transparent  with everything.  Our safety was never concern either, they kept us very safe and secure the whole time like they always do. I mean the security in Pakistan is paramount and we never did feel unsafe,” he concluded.

READ: Former England batter joins Islamabad United for remainder of PSL 10

Bangladesh stalwart Shakib Al Hasan is set to return to competitive cricket as he is likely to join Lahore Qalandars for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10. 

According to a report by the Daily Sun, a senior official from Lahore Qalandars has confirmed interest in Shakib; however, the deal has not been finalized yet.

“There is interest in him, but nothing is final. We will share updates about our overseas players once everything is confirmed,” the Daily Sun quoted the official.

Shakib Al Hasan has previously represented Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the PSL.

It is pertinent to mention that Shakib Al Hasan is a former lawmaker from the party of autocratic former-leader Sheikh Hasina, who was overthrown in a student-led uprising last year and fled by helicopter to neighbouring India.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Shakib Al Hasan was participating in a domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament in Canada when Hasina’s government collapsed, and he has not returned to Bangladesh since.

The left-arm all-rounder has played 71 Tests, 247 One Day Internationals, and 129 Twenty20 matches for Bangladesh, taking a total of 712 wickets.

His last appearance in competitive cricket was in November last year, when he represented Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

For the unversed, PSL 10, which was briefly suspended last week due to rising cross-border tensions with India, is all set to resume on May 17 with Karachi Kings facing Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Rawalpindi will host three matches, including a double-header on Sunday, May 18, with Quetta Gladiators taking on Multan Sultans in the afternoon, followed by a clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars in the evening.

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The last match at the venue will see defending champions Islamabad United face Karachi Kings on May 19.

After that, the action will move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the business end of the tournament.

The Qualifier, Eliminator 1, and Eliminator 2 are scheduled for May 21, 22, and 23, respectively, with the grand final to be played on May 25.

READ: Rassie van der Dussen joins Islamabad United for remainder of PSL 10

New Zealand’s all-rounder Daryl Mitchell shared his thoughts regarding the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, clarifying Indian media reports suggesting he would not visit the country in the future.

The tensions between India and Pakistan reached fever-pitch following an attack last month in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) town of Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.

However, the situation returned to normal after an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, following days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone and artillery attacks.

Due to the growing tensions, PSL 10 was postponed indefinitely, leading to the return of overseas players to their home countries.

Mitchell, who was playing for Lahore Qalandars, was also among the players who returned home after the marquee event’s postponement.

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Meanwhile, several Indian media outlets reported that Mitchell vowed to not play in Pakistan again.

In a statement released by Lahore Qalandars, Daryl Mitchell shared his thoughts on the conflict between the two countries while on his way back home.

“It’s been tough to watch two countries that are so close to my heart in conflict over the past few days. My thoughts are with those affected on both sides,” Daryl Mitchell said.

The all-rounder stressed the importance of peace between both countries and expressed his determination to return in the future.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Both the PSL and IPL have played major roles in my career, and I’ve always cherished my time in both tournaments. I hope peace prevails and we can get back to playing the game we love and continue giving back to the amazing people who support us,” said Mitchell.

“It feels good to be heading home to my family, but I’m also looking forward to returning to both countries in the future — places I truly love spending time in,” he concluded.

READ: ‘Test cricket needs Virat’: Brian Lara urges Kohli to continue in longest format

Karachi Kings skipper David Warner took a dig at Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi after his side edged their arch-rivals in a rain-hit PSL 10 thriller at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

While he was all praise for his team’s effort in the four-wicket win, the Australian couldn’t resist taking a cheeky dig at Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s pitch assessment.

Lahore Qalandars, in a shortened 15-over contest, posted a strong 160/8, a total powered by blistering half-centuries from openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman.

Naeem led the charge with a fiery 65 off 29 deliveries, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Fakhar chipped in with a 33-ball 51 featuring four boundaries and three maximums.

In response, Karachi Kings chased down a revised 168-run target with three balls to spare, thanks to a breathtaking unbeaten 48 off 21 balls from Irfan Khan Niazi.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

But what caught the attention after the match was Warner’s pointed response to Afridi’s pre-match pitch prediction.

“Shaheen said it was going to turn, but not one ball has turned here in three games,” Warner said with a grin. “I was baffled by those comments.”

While Lahore went in with a spin-heavy attack, David Warner backed his decision to stick with four pacers.

“I stuck with it [pace attack]. You’ve just got to back yourself. Our bowlers have been fantastic, they’ve been taking wickets, and right now there’s probably no room for an extra spinner,” he explained.

The subtle jab came after Afridi had earlier remarked that the surface would assist spinners, something that clearly didn’t unfold as expected, especially after the rain altered the conditions.

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Despite the banter, Warner had glowing praise for his players, especially Irfan Khan, who turned the match on its head with his fearless batting.

“It was an amazing victory. First, I want to talk about the bowlers, they did a great job of restricting them to 160,” Warner said.

“And then obviously it was a brilliant effort by [Irfan Khan] Niazi. We stuck with him and spoke to him about having that hunger and desire, and today, the way he played was the cream on the top.”

With back-to-back wins under their belt, Karachi Kings are now eyeing a top-two finish as they head to Rawalpindi for their final group matches against Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United on May 8 and 10.

“We’ve pulled off a miracle today,” David Warner said. “Momentum is with us. Now the goal is to carry it into Rawalpindi and finish strong.”

READ: Shaheen Afridi remains unfazed after thrilling loss against Karachi Kings

Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi remained composed despite a close four-wicket defeat against Karachi Kings in a rain-affected Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

The Qalandars, in a shortened 15-over contest, posted a strong 160/8, a total powered by blistering half-centuries from openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman.

Naeem led the charge with a fiery 65 off 29 deliveries, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Fakhar chipped in with a 33-ball 51 featuring four boundaries and three maximums.

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Chasing a revised target of 168, the Kings rode on Irfan Khan Niazi’s explosive unbeaten 48 off 21 balls, laced with five sixes and two fours, to cross the finish line with three balls to spare and six wickets down.

His onslaught included three consecutive sixes off Shaheen’s over — a decisive moment in the contest. But Shaheen remained unfazed, taking the loss in stride.

“It’s all part of the game. Whoever plays better cricket on the day deserves to win,” Shaheen said post-match. “It’s not the end of the tournament — we’ll come back stronger when we meet them again in the knockouts.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The left-arm pacer also pointed out that rain altered the dynamics of the game.

“It was a used pitch, not easy to bat on early. But once the rain came, the ball started coming on better and that shifted the momentum,” he noted.

Shaheen Afridi reserved special praise for Mohammad Naeem, who continued to impress at the top of the order.

“Naeem is a special talent. He’s going to be crucial for us in the upcoming matches,” he added. “We’ll take the positives from this game, address the areas we fell short in, and aim to bounce back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi’s Mitchell Owen set to join Punjab Kings for IPL 2025

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be a key venue, hosting 13 matches, including the Eliminators and the grand final, which promises to be a spectacular event.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will heighten the excitement with 11 action-packed matches, including the crucial Qualifier 1 on May 13.

Meanwhile, the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five dynamic matches.

READ:  Shahnawaz Dahani replaces injured Adam Milne in Karachi Kings squad

Lahore Qalandars, a heartening gesture aimed at celebrating Pakistan’s national sport, dedicated their Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 clash against Quetta Gladiators to hockey.

The franchise paid tribute to the national sport’s rich legacy and the heroes who have represented it with distinction.

Although the much-anticipated contest at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on May 1 was eventually washed out due to persistent rain, the day still held special significance, as the Qalandars used the occasion to spotlight hockey and its contribution to Pakistan’s sporting identity.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana welcomed Dutch field hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander and Pakistan’s Olympian Khawaja Junaid — a former national captain and coach — as guests of honour.

The two were celebrated for their service to the sport, with Bovelander receiving an official Lahore Qalandars jersey from skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi in a symbolic gesture of cross-sport respect.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest drag-flickers in hockey history, Bovelander was also briefed on the transformational role of the PSL in Pakistan, especially in youth empowerment and sports development.

“I’ve always had a deep love for hockey,” said Atif Rana. “It’s our national game and an essential part of our identity.”

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“Dedicating this PSL match to hockey is our way of reigniting public interest in the sport and extending our support to the hockey community.

“Hosting Floris Jan Bovelander is symbolic of our belief that sport transcends borders. It’s about unity, inspiration, and mutual respect.”

This unique crossover marks another progressive step in Qalandars’ vision of elevating all sports in Pakistan, not just cricket.

The franchise hopes this initiative can spark greater dialogue around revitalising hockey, encouraging collaboration between cricket and hockey, and instilling a culture of national pride through sport.

READ: Umar Akmal reveals how Wahab Riaz reacted to his comeback plea

LAHORE: The 21st match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators is called off due to persistent rain here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Lahore Qalandars scored 111 runs for the loss of three wickets before bad weather interrupted the match. Both teams have been awarded one point each.

Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators are second and third respectively, with nine points each.

Put in to bat, The Qalandars had a shaky start to their innings as opener Fakhar Zaman was bowled out for a duck by Khurram Shahzad on just the third ball.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

After an early wicket, Abdullah Shafique partnered with Mohammad Naeem to steady the innings with a brilliant century-plus stand.

The pair put on 102 runs for the second wicket before Naeem was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed. Emerging batter Naeem finally got going as he scored an impressive 50 off 30 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes.

Abrar struck again in his following over, removing Daryl Mitchell for just three runs, reducing the Qalandars to 111/3 in 11.3 overs before a dust storm brought a halt to the proceedings.

Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten on 53 from 32 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes.

For Quetta Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets, while Khurram Shahzad took one.

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be a key venue, hosting 13 matches, including the Eliminators and the grand final, which promises to be a spectacular event.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will heighten the excitement with 11 action-packed matches, including the crucial Qualifier 1 on May 13.

Meanwhile, the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five dynamic matches.

PLAYING XIs:

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Tom Curran, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Muhammad Zeeshan, Muhammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Finn Allen

READ: Mohammad Rizwan opens up after Multan Sultans’ elimination from PSL 10

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators fast bowler Mohammad Amir is not playing in the match against Lahore Qalandars, which is underway here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Mohammad Amir, who is in good form with the ball, is out of the match due to fever. Emerging fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan has replaced him in the Quetta Gladiators team.

Mohammad Amir has taken seven wickets in six matches so far for Quetta Gladiators this season.

When this story was filed, Lahore Qalandar were 78/1 in 7.3 overs.

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be a key venue, hosting 13 matches, including the Eliminators and the grand final, which promises to be a spectacular event.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

According to the PSL 10 schedule, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will heighten the excitement with 11 action-packed matches, including the crucial Qualifier 1 on May 13.

Meanwhile, the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five dynamic matches.

PLAYING XIs

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Tom Curran, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Mark Chapman, Rilee Rossouw, Muhammad Zeeshan, Muhammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, Khurram Shahzad, Finn Allen

READ: PSL 10: Quetta Gladiators win toss against Lahore Qalandars