Tag: PSL 11

Multan Sultans batter Steve Smith has praised opening partner Sahibzada Farhan for his consistent performances and growing influence at the top of the order in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Farhan has been one of the standout performers of the season so far, sitting second on the run-scoring charts with 164 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 154.66.

A strong opening combination between Smith and Farhan has played a major role in Multan Sultans’ rise to the top of the points table, with the pair delivering consistent starts across the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Reflecting on their partnership after a convincing win over Quetta Gladiators, Smith highlighted the growing understanding between the two at the top of the order.

“My combination with Farhan has become quite strong. Our starts have been good. Farhan is a quality player,” Smith said during a post-match interaction with teammate Peter Siddle.

The duo have already produced significant opening stands this season, including a 104-run partnership while chasing 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen and a 71-run stand in the win over Quetta Gladiators, setting the platform for successful chases.

Steve Smith also praised the team’s all-round performance, particularly highlighting the impact of the bowling unit in restricting opposition totals.

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“The spin bowling was very good. First, Mohammad Nawaz bowled well, and then Arafat Minhas produced an extraordinary spell. Our captain also bowled well. The opposition could have scored over 160, but we managed to restrict them and then chased the target well,” he noted.

In addition, Smith lauded the contributions of Multan Sultans vice-captain Shan Masood, praising his composed batting and leadership qualities.

“Shan is getting better with every game. He has immense power in his shots. He waits for the right ball and it was a good chase,” Smith added.

READ: Rawalpindiz suffer major blow as Naseem Shah ruled out of PSL 11

The Rawalpindiz have suffered a significant setback in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after premier fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out of action due to injury.

According to a statement issued by the franchise, the right-arm pacer sustained a side strain during their recent match against Karachi Kings, forcing him to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The team’s medical staff are currently monitoring his recovery closely, with management hoping for a potential return towards the latter stages of the tournament, subject to progress in rehabilitation and final fitness clearance.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Despite the setback, the franchise expressed full support for the 23-year-old, describing him as a key member of the squad and stressing their commitment to his recovery process.

The management added that they are hopeful of seeing him return stronger once fully fit.

Naseem’s injury comes at an unfortunate time, as he endured a difficult start to the campaign, managing just one wicket in his outing against Karachi Kings after going wicketless while conceding 51 runs in the opening match.

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The development further compounds a challenging start for Rawalpindiz, who have struggled for form in PSL 11.

The side has lost all three of their opening fixtures and currently sit seventh on the points table, just above fellow winless debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Rawalpindiz squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Razaullah, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Cole McConchie, Usman Khawaja, Saad Masood

READ: Abbas Afridi opens up on Umar Gul’s influence on his career

KARACHI: Karachi Kings pacer Abbas Afridi has shed light on the influence of his uncle and former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, crediting his mentorship as a key factor in shaping his bowling and overall career.

Speaking on the sidelines of a training session ahead of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Peshawar Zalmi, Abbas emphasised that consistent hard work remains central to his progress as he looks to make a strong impact in the tournament.

“I have been playing cricket for a long time, including at the U-19 level, and performed well there to reach this stage. Even now, I am working hard every day. I am grateful to Allah for where I am today,” Abbas said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The young pacer highlighted the dual nature of having an experienced cricketer in the family, noting that while it brings valuable guidance, it also comes with accountability.

“Having a Test cricketer in the family definitely helps; you learn a lot, but you also get scolded,” he shared.

“In the last match, when I didn’t bowl well, he pointed it out and guided me on how to bowl in different situations. I often receive calls from him where he advises me and helps me improve.”

Gul, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest T20 bowlers, enjoyed a distinguished career, including becoming the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 internationals during the 2009 World T20.

Abbas Afridi also spoke about the benefits of sharing the dressing room with international stars at Karachi Kings, particularly under the leadership of David Warner.

“It’s a great experience playing under Warner and alongside players like Moeen Ali and Adam Zampa. You learn a lot from them; they guide you and share their experience,” he added.

The pacer also acknowledged the role of team director Haider Azhar in building a positive environment within the squad, something Abbas believes is crucial for success in a high-pressure tournament.

“A lot of credit goes to Haider bhai for creating such a good team environment. It really depends on how the atmosphere is within the team, and ours is very positive. InshaAllah, we will try our best to win the trophy this season,” he said.

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While primarily known for his bowling, Abbas revealed he is also working on his batting to contribute in crunch moments.

“I am often told [by my uncle] to focus more on my bowling, but I also work on my batting because there are situations where quick runs are needed in the final overs. I try to be ready for any situation.”

Looking ahead, the right-arm pacer sees the PSL as a crucial pathway back to international cricket.

“PSL is a great platform for players to reach international cricket. My goal is to make a comeback to the Pakistan team through strong performances in this tournament,” he concluded.

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KARACHI: Karachi Kings are set to receive a timely boost as United Arab Emirates (UAE) players Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer are expected to rejoin the squad ahead of their next fixture in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Team director Haider Azhar confirmed that both players will arrive back in Karachi on Tuesday and will be available for selection for the Kings’ upcoming clash against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

The duo 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.

However, in a development that comes as a relief for the Kings, Waseem and Khuzaima have now been granted permission to rejoin their franchise after completing two matches in the domestic tournament.

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Waseem has already featured in three matches this season, registering mixed returns with scores of 0, 38 and 23. Meanwhile, Khuzaima is yet to make his debut in the ongoing edition.

The return of the two players strengthens an already in-form Karachi Kings side, led by David Warner, who currently sit in the second position of the points table with three wins from three matches and a net run rate of 0.486.

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LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

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LAHORE: Persistent rain has forced a reduction in overs for the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, with the contest now set to be played as a 13-overs-a-side match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

The toss, initially delayed due to steady showers in Lahore, is now scheduled for 8:30 PM local time, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 8:45 PM.

The weather interruptions come at a crucial stage of the tournament, with both teams eyeing momentum early in the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Multan Sultans, led by Ashton Turner, have made a strong start, winning both of their opening matches to sit second on the points table.

The Sultans began their season with a comfortable win over Islamabad United, powered by Josh Philippe’s fluent half-century and a composed finish from Turner.

They followed it up with a remarkable chase of 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen, thanks to a stunning unbeaten century from Sahibzada Farhan.

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In contrast, defending champions Lahore Qalandars, under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, have had a mixed start.

They opened their title defence with a commanding win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, but fell short in a closely fought contest against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second outing.

READ: ‘Hard work is paying off’: Azam Khan opens up on fitness transformation

Karachi Kings wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has opened up on his fitness and weight loss journey, crediting months of disciplined training for his resurgence after delivering a match-winning performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Azam played a pivotal role in Karachi’s victory over Rawalpindiz, smashing a blistering 74 off just 34 deliveries to guide his side to a five-wicket win.

After the game, Azam, while reflecting on his journey, revealed that the past several months had been both challenging and transformative.

“Since last year’s PSL, I haven’t played much professional cricket, but I’m in a good zone because I’ve trained really hard over the past few months, and it’s showing on the ground,” he said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The right-hander shared that relocating from Karachi to Lahore proved to be a turning point in his routine, as he became more disciplined and has been training regularly at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“The last seven to eight months have been tough. I have shifted to a different city. I live in Karachi, but now I have moved to Lahore. I have been training at the National Cricket Academy. I’ve been putting in daily effort, repeating drills, and that’s really helped my confidence,” he stated.

“When you shift to a different city, you have to work hard enough and be more disciplined. So I have felt that I have been more disciplined with my training as well as my diet.”

According to Azam Khan, a significant part of his improvement has come through a stricter approach to fitness and diet. He admitted to working closely with professionals to address his weight and conditioning.

“I had to make serious changes, hire a dietician, consult doctors for my weight loss, and stay disciplined with my diet. There are cheat days, of course,” he joked, “but overall, I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I’m moving much better on the field.”

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Azam acknowledged that his previous fitness levels had impacted key aspects of his game, particularly his ability to run between the wickets and his wicketkeeping mobility.

“Last year, I was slow while running, and my lateral movement behind the stumps wasn’t great. Now, I feel quicker and more agile, which is very satisfying,” he noted.

Interestingly, the change in physique has also influenced his equipment and approach at the crease.

“I had to reduce the weight of my bat after losing weight. Like when I was heavy i was using a heavier bat, but when I got lighter, I had to change my bat weight as well, but I haven’t lost any power. In fact, I don’t get tired as much while batting now, and I feel more comfortable overall,” he explained.

READ: PSL 11: Toss of Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans delayed

LAHORE: The toss for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans has been delayed due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

The new-look Sultans kicked off their PSL 11 campaign with a dominant five-wicket victory over Islamabad United, courtesy of the brilliant batting efforts of Josh Philippe (55) and Turner (43*).

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In their second match of the season, Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten 106 to help the Sultans chase down a 226-run target against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the fifth position with one win and one loss.

They commenced their title defence with a thumping 69-run victory over the Kingsmen, thanks to a combined team effort. However, they suffered a four-wicket defeat against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second match.

SQUADS

Lahore Qalandars: 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, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl, Shahab Khan

Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Atizaz Habib Khan

READ: David Warner dismisses Moeen Ali ‘fight’ after viral clip sparks debate

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner has brushed aside speculation of a rift with teammate Moeen Ali after a viral clip during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Rawalpindiz triggered debate on social media.

The video, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showed an animated Warner walking towards Moeen before Karachi’s team director Haider Azhar intervened and led the Australian opener away. The brief exchange was quickly interpreted by fans as a sign of tension within the Kings’ dressing room.

“BIG FIGHT BETWEEN DAVID WARNER & MOEEN ALI. During the match session, a heated argument broke out between Moeen Ali and David Warner,” the video caption stated.

However, Warner moved swiftly to shut down the rumours, clarifying that the moment had been taken out of context.

“Calm down, mate. You have zero context. Our manager always wants to shake hands first. Has nothing to do with Mo – it’s called team banter,” Warner responded to the above-mentioned video.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 calm down mate. You have zero context. The 🤡 our manager always wants to shake hands first . Has nothing to do with Mo 🤣🤣 it’s called team banter

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 3, 2026

Azhar also backed the skipper’s version, dismissing the claims of any disagreement and insisting the moment was light-hearted.

“Not true! Both of them were making fun of me!” he added.

The off-field chatter, meanwhile, did little to overshadow Karachi’s strong showing on the field.

Warner led from the front with a composed 50, while Azam Khan produced a blistering 74 as the Kings chased down a daunting 198-run target to secure a five-wicket victory.

The duo’s crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket proved decisive, guiding Karachi to their third consecutive win in the tournament.

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LAHORE: The upcoming match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans is likely to be affected by weather concerns here on Friday.

A light drizzle had already set in by the evening, forcing ground staff to swiftly cover the pitch and outfield at the LCCA Ground as a precautionary measure, raising concerns over a potential delay or interruption.

According to weather forecasts, conditions in Lahore remain far from ideal for cricket. At around 6:00 PM local time, thunderstorms were reported with temperatures hovering at 19°C but feeling closer to 15°C due to the wind chill.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Winds from the south-west, coupled with high humidity levels touching 85%, have added to the discomfort, while over 12 mm of rainfall has already been recorded.

Visibility has also been significantly reduced, with dense cloud cover and a low ceiling contributing to gloomy playing conditions. Air quality remains unhealthy, further compounding the challenges for players and officials.

While a slight improvement is expected by 7:00 PM, with rainfall predicted to ease and temperatures dipping marginally, the overall outlook still suggests unstable weather.

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Cloud cover is set to remain heavy, and visibility is unlikely to improve substantially, keeping the possibility of interruptions alive.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the mid-table with one win and one loss.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban