Tag: PSL 11

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman has reportedly lodged an appeal against his two-match suspension in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 over ball-tampering charges, sources confirmed on Wednesday.

The Lahore Qalandars opener was handed the ban earlier this week by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the tournament’s Code of Conduct during their clash against Karachi Kings.

The controversy stems from an incident in the final stages of the match, where on-field umpires imposed a five-run penalty on Lahore Qalandars and ordered a ball change ahead of the last over of Karachi’s innings, a decision that proved decisive in the outcome of the contest.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Following the match, Fakhar was charged under Article 2.14 of the Code, which pertains to altering the condition of the ball in violation of the league’s playing conditions.

The charge was brought forward by umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, along with TV umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed.

The left-handed batter denied the allegations and opted for a full disciplinary hearing, which was conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama.

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After reviewing the evidence and hearing the player’s defence, the referee upheld the charge and imposed the maximum penalty for a first Level 3 offence, a two-match suspension.

According to sources, Fakhar Zaman has now formally challenged the decision by submitting an appeal to the PSL Technical Committee, seeking a review of the sanction.

READ: Adam Zampa reveals why he opted for PSL instead of IPL

Karachi Kings’ spinner Adam Zampa has shed light on his decision to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 instead of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), pointing to financial imbalance and limited opportunities as key factors behind the move.

Speaking during the ARY Podcast, the Australian leg-spinner offered a candid assessment of his situation, revealing that his skill set did not attract lucrative deals in the IPL despite the league’s massive financial scale.

“To be brutally honest, for someone with my skill set, the money just isn’t there compared to what’s available for other skill sets,” Zampa said.

“Considering the amount of time the IPL requires, it didn’t seem like a reasonable choice for me to keep playing.”

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Adam Zampa admitted that he was not a primary target for IPL franchises, which ultimately influenced his decision to step away from the tournament.

The 34-year-old had initially planned to take a short break from cricket before an unexpected opportunity emerged in the PSL.

“I was planning to take a break, but then the PSL came onto the radar about a month ago. It all happened pretty quickly, but I’m enjoying it,” he added.

The leg-spinner was subsequently picked by Karachi Kings during the league’s first-ever auction, and he has already made a notable impact in the ongoing season.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Zampa has played a key role in Karachi’s early success, claiming three crucial wickets across their opening matches and contributing significantly to both victories.

Reflecting on his initial experience in the PSL, Zampa praised the competitiveness of the tournament, highlighting the quality of opposition he has faced so far.

“You look at some of the teams and the names they have, especially in the bowling attack, it’s almost international-level quality,” he said. “Even in a game where we were chasing 129, it went right down to the wire, which shows how strong these sides are.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi has been abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with both teams sharing points after no play was possible.

The weather had already delayed proceedings, with the toss initially postponed due to steady rainfall.

However, conditions failed to improve in time for even a shortened contest, prompting match officials to eventually call off the seventh match of the tournament.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, had entered the fixture on the back of an impressive five-wicket victory over tournament debutants Rawalpindiz.

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Chasing a daunting 215, Peshawar produced a collective batting effort, highlighted by Mohammad Haris’s 47 off 28 deliveries, alongside valuable contributions from Babar (39) and Michael Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 35.

In contrast, Islamabad United were looking to bounce back after suffering a five-wicket defeat against Multan Sultans in their previous outing.

Despite setting a competitive 172, United were outplayed as the Sultans chased down the target comfortably, powered by Josh Philippe’s half-century and an unbeaten knock from captain Ashton Turner.

SQUADS

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit, Shoriful Islam

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq, Mohsin Riaz, Chris Green, Mohammad Salman Mirza

READ: PSL 11: Fakhar Zaman handed a two-match ban over ball-tampering

LAHORE: The toss for the seventh match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi has been delayed due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday.

The Babar Azam-led Zalmi are coming off a dominant five-wicket victory over tournament debutants Rawalpindiz. Peshawar Zalmi chased down the massive target of 215 runs, thanks to a combined batting effort.

Mohammad Haris top-scored with a 28-ball 47, while skipper Babar (39) and New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell (35*) were other notable run-getters.

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Meanwhile, the three-time PSL champions Islamabad United suffered a thumping five-wicket defeat at the hands of a new-look Multan Sultans, led by Australia’s Ashton Turner.

The Sultans chased down the target of 172 runs with ease, thanks to Josh Philippe’s 55 and Turner’s unbeaten 43.

SQUADS

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit, Shoriful Islam

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq, Mohsin Riaz, Chris Green, Mohammad Salman Mirza

READ: PSL 11: Fakhar Zaman handed a two-match ban over ball-tampering

LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have been dealt a significant blow after opener Fakhar Zaman was suspended for two matches in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 following a Level 3 breach of the tournament’s Code of Conduct.

The decision was confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday after an incident during Lahore’s high-intensity clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium.

According to the PCB, Fakhar was found guilty of violating Article 2.14, which relates to altering the condition of the ball in breach of the league’s playing conditions. The offence occurred in the closing stages of the match, shortly before the final over of Karachi’s run chase.

During that moment, the on-field umpires inspected the ball, ruled that its condition had been changed, and imposed a five-run penalty on Lahore Qalandars, in addition to replacing the ball, a decision that proved crucial in Karachi’s narrow victory.

The charge was brought forward by umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, along with TV umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed.

Fakhar Zaman denied the ball-tampering allegation and opted for a full disciplinary hearing.

Match referee Roshan Mahanama conducted the proceedings, reviewing the evidence and granting the player a personal hearing before reaching a final verdict. Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, team director Sameen Rana and manager Farooq Anwar were also present during the hearing.

Under PSL regulations, a Level 3 offence carries a minimum penalty of a one-match ban and can extend up to two matches, with Fakhar receiving the maximum sanction.

The suspension means Fakhar will miss Lahore’s upcoming fixtures, including their clash against Multan Sultans on April 3 at Gaddafi Stadium and the subsequent encounter against Islamabad United on April 9 in Karachi.

READ: Erin Holland comments on her absence from PSL 11

LAHORE: Karachi Kings spinner Adam Zampa delivered a match-winning performance to guide his side to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Zampa was named Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of 2-11 in four overs, including a maiden, playing a key role in restricting Lahore Qalandars to a modest total.

Reflecting on his performance, Adam Zampa emphasized the importance of reading conditions and adapting accordingly.

“I guess just summing up the wicket today. I think it was a pretty used wicket, lowish, slowish, with a little bit of spin. So I tried to use my strengths as much as possible, hit the stumps, and get the ball to slide on here and there as well. So it suited me.”

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The experienced leg-spinner highlighted how understanding conditions plays a vital role in modern T20 bowling.

“I think it’s part of becoming a universal bowler — summing up the conditions. I’ve played here plenty of times, and you know when it’s used. After a couple of balls, you can kind of sum up the best way to go about it. You tend to keep things pretty simple.”

Adam Zampa also credited clarity and experience as key factors behind his effectiveness, particularly when it comes to deceiving batters.

“I guess it’s just using experience now. I know what I’m doing when I get out there. I’ve got a lot of clarity in my mind. There’s not really a mystery to my bowling, but I think it’s more about knowing what works in different situations.”

READ: “We Did It the Hard Way”: David Warner Reflects on Gritty Win Over Lahore Qalandars

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner praised his side’s resilience after they secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Warner admitted the win did not come easily but highlighted the importance of grinding out results in tight contests.

“We did it the hard way. As you just said, Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled absolutely outstanding. A great spell, four wickets. But look, it was a bit tighter than I would like. But it’s good to have two wins from two,” Warner said.

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Reflecting on the high-intensity contest between the two rivals, Warner described it as a perfect showcase for the tournament.

“It’s a great game for the tournament, actually, Lahore versus Karachi on a Sunday night. We absolutely loved it,” he stated.

The Karachi Kings skipper also credited his bowling unit for setting up the victory, particularly highlighting the combined effort of the spin and pace departments.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Our spinners bowled fantastically in tandem. And I think [pacers] [Mir] Hamza and Hasan [Ali] were fantastic as well. Us squeezing in the middle and bowling in partnerships, which is really helping us at the moment. I think the spinners are licking their lips,” he said.

David Warner also acknowledged the challenges posed by varying conditions across venues, while appreciating the efforts behind pitch preparation.

“As batsmen, you can take a few balls to adjust and adapt. It is what it is; it’s the nature of the beast when you’re playing at two venues. Credit to the curators for preparing surfaces like this and for us to come out and play,” Warner said.

READ: Shaheen Afridi comments on five-run penalty over altering ball condition

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has addressed the five-run penalty over the changing of the condition of the ball in his side’s narrow defeat to Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The incident unfolded just before the final over of the Kings’ run chase, when on-field umpires inspected the ball and ruled that its condition had been altered.

Consequently, Qalandars were handed a five-run penalty, reducing the Kings’ target from 14 runs to just nine in the final six deliveries.

The momentum shift proved decisive, as Abbas Afridi struck a boundary and a six early in the over to guide Karachi Kings to a dramatic four-wicket win.

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Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Shaheen admitted he was unsure about the circumstances surrounding the decision and refrained from making immediate conclusions.

“I don’t know about this [ball tampering], and we will discuss it,” Shaheen said.

“We’ll review the footage and talk about it later. The five-run penalty does hurt, but I can’t say much right now.”

Despite the controversy, the left-arm pacer reflected positively on his team’s overall effort, particularly highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“It was actually a good game. We tried our best and fought till the last ball, which is what we expect from ourselves,” he said.

“Both teams were in a similar position. A total of around 120 is usually chased comfortably, but the way our bowlers fought showed the effort from the side.”

Shaheen Afridi also dismissed suggestions of a psychological disadvantage against Karachi Kings, who extended their head-to-head lead over Lahore with the victory.

“There is no mental block. My team fought till the final ball, and that’s what matters to me,” he concluded.

READ: Karachi Kings edge Lahore Qalandars in low-scoring thriller

LAHORE: Karachi Kings held their nerve in a tense finish to register a four-wicket victory over defending champions Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring encounter during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 129 on a tricky surface, Karachi stumbled early but recovered just in time to cross the line with three balls to spare, finishing on 131-6.

The run chase did not start as planned for the Kings as captain David Warner (8) and Salman Ali Agha (0) were both removed in the third over by the Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving the side reeling at 10-2.

Muhammad Waseem then anchored the innings with a gritty 38 off 37 deliveries, stitching together valuable partnerships of 29 and 43 with Saad Baig (19) and Moeen Ali (18), respectively, to keep the chase alive.

However, Shaheen returned to dismantle the middle order, dismissing both Waseem and Moeen in the 15th over to put Lahore firmly back in control at 88-5.

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With pressure mounting, Khushdil Shah and Azam Khan added a crucial 32-run stand, bringing the equation down to 14 required from the final over.

In a dramatic twist, a five-run penalty was awarded to Karachi after the umpires ruled the ball had been altered, reducing the target to nine off the last six deliveries.

Haris Rauf struck on the first ball of the final over, dismissing Khushdil courtesy of a sharp catch by Sikandar Raza.

But the game turned instantly as Abbas Afridi smashed a boundary and a six off the next two balls to seal a thrilling win for Karachi.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Earlier, Karachi Kings’ bowlers set up the contest with a disciplined effort to restrict Lahore to 128-9.

Moeen Ali provided an early breakthrough by removing Fakhar Zaman (1) in the opening over.

Abdullah Shafique then tried to stabilise the innings with a measured 33, adding small but useful partnerships of 25 and 28 with Mohammad Naeem (13) and Parvez Hossain Emon (12) respectively.

A 43-run stand between Haseebullah Khan (28) and Sikandar Raza (19) briefly revived Lahore’s hopes, but regular wickets ensured they never built sustained momentum.

For Karachi, Adam Zampa, Mir Hamza and Moeen Ali picked up two wickets each, while Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha and Abbas Afridi chipped in with one apiece.

READ: Erin Holland comments on her absence from PSL 11

Renowned Australian presenter Erin Holland has addressed her absence from the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, revealing that medical commitments prevented her from being part of the tournament this year.

Holland, a familiar face in the PSL broadcast team since 2019, was notably missing from this season’s presenter line-up, prompting widespread curiosity among fans.

Many took to social media to inquire about her whereabouts, with messages pouring in expressing concern and support.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Responding to the queries, Holland shared that she was “devastated” to miss the tournament but had no choice due to closely scheduled medical appointments.

“Thank you so much for the many messages wondering where I am this PSL — I am devastated to be unable to take part this year,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“This was due to medical appointments close together that never allowed for a decent stint at the tournament. Missing everyone & I hope to be back soon.”

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Her absence marks a rare break from the league, where she has been a consistent presence and a fan favourite over the years.

In her place, the organisers have introduced fresh faces to the broadcast panel, with Neroli Meadows and Jess Crowe making their PSL debuts. They have joined regular presenters, including Sikandar Bakht and Zainab Abbas.

READ: Quetta Gladiators outclass Hyderabad Kingsmen to claim first PSL 11 win