Tag: PSL 11

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam credited bowlers after his side thumped Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Zalmi registered an eight-wicket win over Gladiators to extend their six-game unbeaten run in the tournament — six wins out of six games.

Sufiyan Muqeem delivered with the ball, scalping a three-wicket haul while Babar Azam made an unbeaten 71* from 51 balls with the aid of 10 fours.

Following this victory, Peshawar Zalmi have consolidated the top spot with 13 points and are on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Babar Azam discussed the conditions and praised the bowlers for delivering successfully throughout the fixtures.

“We assessed the conditions and our bowling attack has been delivering consistently and we were relying on it. It’s a team game, and combined effort is helping us win. We’re keeping the players sitting out ready and that’s why we see them performing well,” he remarked.

He also hailed emerging bowler Mohammad Basit Ali, who took a three-wicket haul.

“Take the example of Basit, who bowled fantastically,” said Babar.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The skipper also mentioned his own form, noting that he tries to take the game deep to ensure his team crosses the finishing line.

“On my personal form, yes I feel good, when you spend time out in the middle, it gives you confidence and I am trying to carry my confidence and play a winning role. Focus has been on building partnerships and to take the game deep,” he concluded.

Peshawar Zalmi’s next fixture will be against Quetta Gladiators on April 19 at the same venue.

READ: Babar, Muqeem star in dominant win for Peshawar Zalmi

Karachi Kings have picked Jason Roy as a replacement for opening batter Muhammad Waseem for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The franchise revealed the signing in a press release, praising the highly experienced batter.

“Karachi Kings are excited to announce the signing of England’s powerhouse opener, Jason Roy, for the PSL 11 season. Roy joins the squad as a replacement for Muhammad Waseem,” the press release wrote.

“Known for his fearless striking and vast experience in the T20 circuit, Roy is no stranger to the HBL PSL, where he has consistently been one of the most destructive overseas batters. His arrival is set to bolster the Kings’ top order as the tournament enters its most critical phase,” it added.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The UAE duo of Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer 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.

Karachi Kings have also confirmed that the replacement for Khuzaima bin Tanveer will follow in due course.

It is worth mentioning that the 35-year-old Roy represented Quetta Gladiators for five seasons from 2017 to 2024. Overall, he has 38 matches in PSL, amassing 1260 runs at an average of 36.00 with a strike rate of 146.51, including two centuries and eight half-centuries.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Overall, he has played 470 T20 matches in which Roy has accumulated 10584 runs with the aid of 6 centuries and 69 half-centuries.

Karachi Kings Updated Squad

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Moeen Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Adam Zampa, Reeza Hendricks, Ihsanullah, Jason Roy, Aqib Ilyas, Haroon Arshad, Shahid Aziz, Rizwanullah, Muhammad Hamza, Mir Hamza

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Sufiyan Muqeem and Babar Azam propelled the dominant Peshawar Zalmi to a decisive eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Zalmi chased down a mere target of 154 in 18.3 overs, losing only two wickets in the process.

Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam made light work of the chase, adding 75 in 8.4 overs. The former played the core aggressor role while the latter played the second fiddle.

Haris departed after hitting five fours and a six in his 35 from 28 balls.

Following his departure, in-form Kusal Mendis paired up with Babar and stitched a 49-run partnership that threw the Gladiators out of the game. There wasn’t much to cheer for Quetta Gladiators bowlers as Zalmi batters kept them at bay with their stroke play.

Mendis was eventually caught after scoring 21 off 19 balls. Meanwhile, Babar continued to anchor the innings and finished with a boundary.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

He top-scored with 71* from 51 balls laced with 10 fours while Aaron Hardie struck one boundary in his unbeaten 18 from 14 balls.

For Quetta Gladiators, Alzarri Joseph and Saud Shakeel picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi’s spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and pacer Mohammad Basit’s three-wicket haul bundled out Quetta Gladiators for a modest total

Put in to bat first, Quetta Gladiators’ shambolic batting display saw their innings folded for 154 in 20 overs.

The Gladiators lost their promoted opener, Ahsan Ali, for four in the first over.  Following the early wicket, Saud Shakeel and Rilee Rossouw added 35 for the second wicket partnership. The scorecard read 39 when skipper Saud was run out after making 16 from 13 balls.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Peshawar Zalmi continued to chip away with wickets at regular intervals. Rossouw (26 off 18 balls) was cleaned up by Sufiyan Muqeem, whereas Shamyl Hussain departed for 12.

Consequently, Gladiators were 86-4 in 11.4 overs. The only silver lining was Hassan Nawaz, who top-scored with 37 off 35, including four boundaries.  He was involved in a brief 26-run stand with Khawaja Nafay before getting caught behind.

Nafay could not get going as well and was lbw for 20.

Peshawar Zalmi bowlers squeezed the runs flow and eventually bowled the opposition out on the final ball of the innings.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.

READ: Rilee Rossouw sets PSL record during Peshawar Zalmi clash

KARACHI: Top-order batter Rilee Rossouw on Wednesday became the first overseas player to feature in 100 matches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Rossouw reached the landmark while turning out for Quetta Gladiators in PSL.

After this, he became the fourth player overall—after Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman — to complete a century of matches.

Before the match, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer and Quetta Gladiators Owner Nadeem Umar congratulated Rilee Rossouw and presented him with a Gladiators helmet.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Rilee Rossouw has featured in 10 editions of the tournament since 2017. The left-hander has represented Quetta Gladiators for six seasons and Multan Sultans for four seasons in the PSL.

The left-hander has previously represented Quetta Gladiators for six seasons and Multan Sultans for four seasons in the PSL.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, he is also the fourth-highest run-scorer in the PSL with 2366 runs, with 11 half-centuries and three centuries.

The 36-year-old is also the leading run-scorer among overseas players in the tournament.

Playing XIs 

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Aeron Hardie, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit Ali, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Ahsan Ali, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: England captain Ben Stokes ‘lucky’ to be alive after facial injury

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and decided to field first against Quetta Gladiators in the 23rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday. 

Head to Head

Zalmi lead the head-to-head with 13 wins, while the Gladiators have won 10 games.

Matches: 24 Peshawar Zalmi 13, Quetta Gladiators 10

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Aaron Hardie, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit Ali, Ali Raza

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Tom Curran, Jahandad Khan, Ahsan Ali, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

READ: England captain Ben Stokes ‘lucky’ to be alive after facial injury

Pakistan top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan has revealed how criticism from Iftikhar Ahmed on his strike-rate played a pivotal role in reshaping his batting approach, helping him evolve into a more aggressive and modern-day T20 opener.

Speaking in a recent interview, Farhan reflected on a period where he consistently dominated domestic cricket but still struggled to earn recognition at higher levels.

Despite finishing as the leading run-scorer in multiple editions of the National T20 Cup, the right-hander admitted he often felt overlooked.

I finished as the leading run-scorer across the last four seasons of the National T20 Cup, but I was not considered good enough for high-level T20 cricket,” Farhan said, highlighting the frustration he experienced despite his consistency.

A turning point came during a candid dressing-room conversation with Iftikhar, who questioned Farhan’s scoring rate at the top of the order. The remark initially did not sit well with him.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“After the first two seasons, Iftikhar Ahmed told me you cannot play as an opener with a strike rate of 132. I did not like him saying that and found it odd that he was criticising my low strike rate despite me scoring the most runs across two editions,” Farhan recalled.

However, similar advice from coach Abdur Rehman reinforced the need to adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket. Sahibzada Farhan admitted that he initially struggled to understand why strike rate was being prioritised over aggregate runs.

“Abdur Rehman, our coach from Peshawar, also told me that scoring at a strike rate beyond 140 would be beneficial for me. I did not truly understand the logic behind it and thought that being the leading run-scorer should be significant in itself,” he said.

That mindset gradually shifted as he began focusing on power-hitting and increasing his scoring tempo. The opener revealed that he consciously worked towards pushing his strike rate beyond 150, while also targeting dominance in six-hitting charts.

“But I [slowly] realised I need to improve my strike rate and push it closer to 150. I began aiming to be the leading six-hitter in every tournament from that point. I started to practise power-hitting,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The results followed quickly. In the 2023 National T20 Cup, Farhan amassed 492 runs at a staggering strike rate of 178.90, smashing 29 sixes in just 12 innings.

He continued that momentum in 2025, where he once again emerged as the leading six-hitter, clearing the ropes 40 times in just seven innings while also scoring three centuries. Overall, he scored 605 runs in only seven innings during the 2025 tournament.

Sahibzada Farhan believes these improvements have translated into performances at higher levels as well, claiming success in international tournaments and franchise cricket through his more aggressive approach.

He also shed light on the work behind the transformation, revealing an intense training routine focused on range-hitting across different match scenarios.

“There is a lot of effort behind my six-hitting. I practise range-hitting with new balls, old balls, and worn-out balls,” he said, adding that such preparation has been key to his evolution as a batter.

READ: Shan Masood to stay Test captain; Sarfaraz Ahmed in line for head coach role

Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza has broken his silence on remarks made by Imad Wasim last year, firmly dismissing suggestions that financial incentives drove his dramatic return for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 final.

The controversy dates back to the final last year, when Raza made a last-minute arrival at Lahore Qalandars’ camp just minutes before the toss at Gaddafi Stadium.

The 39-year-old had been in England representing Zimbabwe in a one-off Test against England in Nottingham, casting serious doubt over his availability for the title clash.

Despite the tight turnaround, Raza joined the squad in time to feature against Quetta Gladiators and played a decisive role in securing Qalandars’ third PSL title. Chasing a tricky target, he held his nerve in the final over, smashing a boundary and a six to seal a memorable victory with one ball remaining.

However, his commitment was questioned soon after when Imad Wasim, during an interview, suggested that financial rewards often influence such decisions.

Referring broadly to the demands of franchise cricket, he had remarked that “money can make different things happen,” implying that players are willing to travel extensively and endure fatigue for lucrative opportunities.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Like Shoaib Akhtar said, money can do things for you,” Imad had remarked.

“If you’re getting paid, you’ll go. I travel a lot too. Sometimes one match ends, and the next day you’re playing another. I have travelled 24 hours straight and gone directly into a match. So yes, money can make different things happen.”

Sikandar Raza has now responded to those comments, making it clear that his decision was rooted in values beyond financial gain. Speaking in a recent interview, the Sialkot-born all-rounder emphasised that respect, honour, and loyalty were the driving forces behind his return.

“Regarding Imad Wasim’s comments about money being my motivation to return and play the PSL final — money was not the motivating factor,” Raza said. “My priorities are respect, honour, and loyalty.”

He further revealed that his participation in the final actually came at a financial cost, as he incurred deductions for the matches he had missed earlier in the tournament.

“In fact, money was deducted from my contract for the matches I missed, so his opinion doesn’t bother me because it isn’t true,” Raza said.

READ: Lahore Qalandars confirm return to Global Super League in Guyana

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slapped a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Islamabad United.

The 29-year-old pacer was bought by three-time champions United for PKR 1.1 crore for the 11th edition of the PSL; however, he later withdrew to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.

The PCB, following a disciplinary review, announced that the Zimbabwean cricketer is declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the PSL, effective immediately.

The board maintained that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In a statement regarding the sanctions, the PSL emphasized that the integrity of the HBL PSL depends on the consistent and ethical behaviour of all participants:

“Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency. Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game.

“Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements.”

READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi likely to make history with India debut: report

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam expressed confidence in maintaining the team’s winning momentum in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Zalmi’s 24-run victory over Multan Sultans marked their fifth win in the tournament, strengthening their top position on the points table.

The stars of the match were Kusal Mendis and Sufiyan Muqeem, with the former top-scoring with 68 while the latter returned with a three-wicket haul.

Speaking to the media after the match, Babar praised the players for their impressive performances.

“I am thoroughly enjoying playing this season. Our players are working hard in every department,” he told reporters.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The plan is for the top three batters to provide a strong start, after which the other players should take the score forward,” Babar revealed.

The skipper termed every match important, noting that they have learned from past mistakes.

“Our effort is to perform well in every match. We have learned a lot from our mistakes,” Babar maintained.

He talked about conditions and highlighted the different nature of the game, which could vary depending on the opposition.

“The aim is to maintain the strong performances from the last five matches. It is my opinion that conditions are not the same every day, and it is not easy to understand conditions on a daily basis.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Regarding strike rate, Babar said maintaining a strike rate can be challenging sometimes, while emphasizing the role of partnerships.

“We have to play according to the team’s requirements. I know if I am coming in the power play, I have to utilize the fielding restrictions. ”

“Sometimes it is not easy to maintain the strike rate. Partnerships are for this purpose because if one batter is struggling, then the other could assist him,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Naqvi to request PM Shehbaz for fan attendance in stadiums

KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider the decision regarding fan attendance for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Speaking to the media after the Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans clash, Naqvi addressed the question regarding the fans’ entry in stadiums.

The appeal was made while Season 11 of the prestigious tournament was taking place behind closed doors in Karachi and Lahore, in line with the government’s official resource conservation initiatives.

Before the start of the PSL season 11, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi announced that PSL matches would be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid the ongoing regional crisis.

“I would request the Prime Minister to permit fans to come to the stadium,” he said.

“We are making decisions keeping the current situation in mind,” he added, saying that the decisions are taken in accordance with the prevailing situation.

Chairman PCB also dismissed comparisons with India, where fans are allowed to watch IPL 2026 matches, asserting that the conditions in Pakistan are different.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We do not have a situation like India in our country,” he remarked.

Mohsin Naqvi also confirmed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will proceed as planned.

“The PSL will continue as per the scheduled plan,” he said.

Chairman PCB further pointed out the need for improvements in the National Bank Stadium facilities and revealed that plans are under consideration to completely demolish the venue.

“The second phase of the upgradation will begin after the PSL ends. We need to bring changes to the stadium infrastructure. Our plan is to rebuild the stadium after demolition, but it depends how much change will it bring [to the overall structure],” he concluded.

READ: Mohammad Haris achieves THIS milestone during Multan Sultans clash