Tag: PSL 11

LAHORE: The closing ceremony of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final is set to feature a high-profile lineup of artists, with leading singer Atif Aslam among the performers scheduled to entertain fans at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the grand finale of the tournament will be accompanied by a star-studded musical show, with performances also expected from Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Aima Baig and the Sabri Sisters.

The announcement was made through official PCB channels, which also outlined preparations for a colourful closing ceremony, including fireworks and stage performances designed to mark the end of the season in style.

According to the board, arrangements for the final and its accompanying ceremony were reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by PCB officials, where instructions were issued to ensure top-tier organisation and spectator comfort.

Fans have been advised to reach the stadium by 06:00 PM, with entry gates expected to be fully operational by the evening.

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The PSL 11 season initially began without an opening ceremony and behind closed doors due to government restrictions linked to an oil crisis triggered by geopolitical tensions.

However, with recent approvals, spectators have now been allowed to return for the playoffs and final, adding a festive atmosphere to the concluding stage of the tournament.

The title match will be contested between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, two sides that have taken contrasting paths to reach the final.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have been the most dominant team of the season, finishing top of the group stage with 17 points before defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier to secure direct entry into the final.

On the other hand, Hyderabad Kingsmen have emerged as the tournament’s surprise package. Under the leadership of Marnus Labuschagne, the debutants recovered from a difficult start to the season, which included four consecutive defeats, before staging a strong comeback to reach their first PSL final.

READ: Sajid Khan makes bold prediction about PSL 11 final

KARACHI: Test spinner Sajid Khan has weighed in on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, offering his prediction on the highly anticipated clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The title decider is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, with both teams entering the contest on the back of impressive campaigns.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have topped the group stage with 17 points and carried that form into the playoffs, defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier to book a direct spot in the final.

In contrast, PSL debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen, under Marnus Labuschagne, recovered from four consecutive defeats early in the tournament to script one of the most remarkable turnarounds.

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They won four matches on the trot to stay in contention before another setback as they suffered a humbling defeat against United. They ultimately sealed their playoff berth with a dominant victory in their final group game over Rawalpindiz.

The Kingsmen then carried that momentum into the knockout stage, eliminating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and Islamabad United in a last-over thriller in Eliminator 2 to reach their first-ever PSL final.

Speaking on the sidelines of Pakistan Test team’s training camp at the National Stadium, Sajid Khan avoided outright favouritism but admitted Hyderabad’s current form gives them an edge.

“My best wishes are with both teams. Whoever plays better on the day deserves to win, but the way Hyderabad are playing and the momentum they have, they look like the favourites right now,” he said.

READ: PSL 11: Mohammad Ali fined for code of conduct breach in Eliminator 2

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen pacer Mohammad Ali has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct during the Eliminator 2 clash against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The 33-year-old fast bowler was found guilty of a Level 1 offence following an on-field altercation with United batter Mark Chapman during the 16th over of the innings.

The incident involved a heated exchange between the two players, drawing the attention of match officials.

According to the official statement, Ali was found to have violated Article 2.21 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute.”

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He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction without contest.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Shahid Saikat, with match referee Roshan Mahanama imposing the penalty.

Despite the disciplinary action, Ali featured prominently in the match, returning figures of 2 for 44 from his four overs. However, he was also the most expensive bowler for Hyderabad in what turned out to be a tense, last-over contest.

The Kingsmen eventually edged past Islamabad United in a thrilling finish, with Hunain Shah successfully defending six runs in the final over to seal victory and book a place in the PSL 11 final, eliminating the three-time champions from the tournament.

READ: Islamabad United owner breaks silence following PSL 11 Exit

LAHORE: Fast bowler Hunain Shah reflected on his execution in the final over after guiding Hyderabad Kingsmen to a thrilling victory and a place in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) final.

Put in to bat in PSL 11 Eliminator 2 clash, Hyderabad Kingsmen recovered from an early setback to post 186/5 in their 20 overs.

Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off just 30 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera smashed 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

In reply, United were limited to 184 in 20 overs, thanks to an outstanding over from Hunain Shah. The right-arm pacer brought his side back on the brink of elimination and sealed an emphatic win.

With six required off the final over, Hunain Shah produced exceptional death bowling, conceding only three runs to secure a dramatic two-run victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Speaking after the match, Hunain said he wanted to maintain confidence in his skillset.

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“[I] wanted to keep belief in my abilities, thought if we got Faheem out, the job would be easier for us. Focus was on execution,” he said.

He also revealed the strategy discussed with skipper Marnus Labuschagne before bowling the final over.

“When I came to bowl the last over, I told Marnus we don’t have a margin, I would bowl six yorkers, and went with the plan. Feeling really good, thanks to God,” he said.

The 22-year-old credited the team’s performance, highlighting each individual’s contributions.

“Different players have stepped up and won Player of the Match and that has been the reason for our success,” he concluded.

Hyderabad Kingsmen will face Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

READ: Sajid Khan, Noman Ali shine in scenario-based practice match

LAHORE: Hunain Shah delivered an exceptional over under pressure to seal an emphatic win for Hyderabad Kingsmen, helping them qualify for the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Hyderabad sealed a close win over Islamabad United in the Eliminator 2 under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 187 in this high-pressure PSL 2026 knockout, Islamabad United stumbled early, losing Sameer Minhas (6) and Mohsin Riaz (5) inside three overs.

Devon Conway (30) and Shadab Khan (22) attempted to rebuild, but regular wickets kept the chase in check. Mark Chapman then led the fightback with a quickfire 43 off 26 balls, while Haider Ali added 31 off 16 deliveries in a crucial 64-run partnership.

Despite Chapman’s dismissal in the 18th over, Islamabad United surged back into contention when Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green smashed 22 runs in the penultimate over, leaving just six required off the final over.

With the match on the line, Hunain Shah produced exceptional death bowling, conceding only three runs to secure a dramatic two-run victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Hunain and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each, while Akif Javed, Hassan Khan, and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.

The narrow win confirmed Hyderabad Kingsmen’s place in the PSL 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi, marking a remarkable run for the tournament debutants.

Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne made a crafty 40 off 32 balls before Usman Khan’s quickfire helped Hyderabad Kingsmen finish strongly

Put into bat first, Kingsmen piled up 186-5 in 20 overs.

Kingsmen suffered a big blow in the first over as Maaz Sadaqat was caught off a short bouncer from Richard Gleeson without scoring.

With the scoreboard reading 1-1, out of form Saim Ayub arrived at the crease. He formed a vital partnership with skipper Marnus Labuschagne to steady the innings.

Both batters pounced on anything loose, finishing the powerplay strongly on 54-1.

After the fielding restrictions were lifted, United spinners — Shadab Khan and Chris Green squeezed the runs flow with a couple of tight overs. The pressure resulted in Saim’s wicket, who batted well, scoring 38 off 27 balls, hitting seven fours.

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It was Imad Wasim’s 11th over that put Kingsmen on the back foot as the veteran spinner struck twice in an over. The left-armer first got set batter Labuschagne (39 off 32 balls) and then the big scalp of Glenn Maxwell (3).

As a result, they were reduced to 85-4 in 11.4 overs.

With momentum slipping, Usman Khan and Sri Lankan batter Kusal Perera orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. The pair added an unbroken 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting Hyderabad Kingsmen to a formidable total in this Pakistan Super League 2025 Eliminator.

Usman Khan led the charge with a fluent 61 not out off just 30 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera provided strong support with 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Their counter-attacking stand ensured the Kingsmen finished strongly after a mid-innings wobble.

For Islamabad United, Imad Wasim was the standout bowler, returning economical figures of 2/16 in his two overs. Gleeson, Faheem Ashraf, and Chris Green claimed one wicket each but were unable to prevent the late surge.

READ: Salman Naseer provides update on PSL 11 closing ceremony

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer has confirmed that preparations for the league’s closing ceremony are underway.

Salman provided the update in an interview on PCB Digital, urging fans to arrive at the earliest possible.

“We will ask fans to arrive at the stadium by 6:30pm for the final,” Salman Naseer said.

He hailed passionate fans who turned in large numbers during the qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

“The passion and enthusiasm of the fans during the qualifier in Karachi was very encouraging. At one point during the Karachi qualifier, we had to close the gates due to the huge crowd,” he observed.

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It is worth mentioning that PSL 11 started without spectators due to government-imposed restrictions aimed at conserving resources amid a broader fuel crisis. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved public attendance for all three playoff matches of the tournament.

For the unversed, PSL 11 is nearing its conclusion, with the Eliminator 2 between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United.

Kingsmen booked their spot with a win over Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1, while Islamabad United enteer the clash after a defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.

Peshawar Zalmi have already advanced to the final and will meet the winner of Eliminator 2 in Sunday’s title decider.

READ: Hansi Flick happy for Raphinha return with title in sight

LAHORE: Islamabad United won the toss and opted to bowl first against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Head to Head

United and Kingsmen have met twice in the marquee league, each securing one victory, keeping their head-to-head record tied.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

Islamabad United: Salman Mirza, Devon Conway (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Chris Green, Mohsin Riaz, Sameen Minhas, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Shadab Khan (c)

READ: Pakistan move up in latest ICC Men’s Test Rankings

LAHORE: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has rejoined the Peshawar Zalmi squad ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium here on Sunday.

The 23-year-old pacer has received a fresh No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), citing the importance of exposure to high-pressure franchise cricket.

The young fast bowler had initially been given NOC only until April 13, after which he returned home alongside other Bangladesh players for the series against New Zealand.

He was part of Bangladesh’s squad against New Zealand but was not selected for the first two T20Is, with selectors prioritising his workload management ahead of a busy Test calendar.

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However, following a reassessment, the BCB granted him permission to feature in the PSL final.

Rana’s return comes as a timely boost for Zalmi, who have secured their place in the final after defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier.

They will now face the winner of the second Eliminator, to be contested between Islamabad United and Hyderabad Kingsmen later today.

It’s worth noting that during his brief PSL stint, Rana made a strong impression, picking up seven wickets at an average of 10.85 in four matches at an economy rate of 5.42 for Zalmi.

Peshawar Zalmi squad

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

READ: New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner sidelined for ‘at least a month’

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

LAHORE: Former South Africa batter JP Duminy has wrapped up his commentary stint ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Eliminator 2 and final. 

Duminy shared a reflective video montage on Instagram, thanking Pakistan for its hospitality, praising the quality of cricket, and appreciating the chance to work with experienced professionals during the tournament.

He also commended the return of fans to stadiums, noting the lively atmosphere they created.

“Appreciation Pakistan, thank you for the love and hospitality. PSL 11 has seen great cricket and continues to do so. Great to see the crowds back. I truly get to work with some amazing people. Thanks for the love. Till next time,” Duminy wrote.

 

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A post shared by JP Duminy (@jpduminy)

This marks Duminy’s second period as part of the PSL broadcast team, having previously appeared in the 10th edition, where he offered analysis throughout the season.

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Besides his role as a commentator, the 42-year-old also has a playing background in the league. He played in PSL 3 for Islamabad United, participating in 10 matches and scoring 251 runs at a strike rate of 100.80, with two half-centuries.

Additionally, he captained the team in the final against Peshawar Zalmi, leading them to their second PSL title.

The Eliminator 2 of the league will be played between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United tommorow at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Kingsmen advanced by defeating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1, whereas Islamabad United suffered a 70-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier.

The winner of Eliminator 2 will play Peshawar Zalmi in the final on May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Richard Gleeson confident ahead of Hyderabad Kingsmen knockout clash