Tag: PSL 11

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman’s sublime century powered Lahore Qalandars to a victory over Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a stiff 199, Gladiaotrs fell short by nine runs, ending their innings on 188 for seven in 20 overs.

The chase started with a 49-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Shamyl Hussain. The latter capitalized on the power play, bringing the team’s score to 49 in 5.4 overs before Sikandar Raza removed Saud. He was caught after scoring 17.

The wicket brought seasoned batter Rilee Rossouw to the fore, who counterattacked alongside Shamyl to keep the Gladiators in the hunt. Shamyl batted beautifully and notched his third half-century of the season.

However, he was back to the pavilion, courtesy of a run out in the ninth over of the innings. The soutpaw made 53 off 31, including three sixes and five fours.

Lahore were back in the game as Haris Rauf removed Hassan Nawaz for a duck in the same over, leaving Gladiators 88-3 in 9.5 overs. Despite the wickets, Rossouw continued to attack, keeping the required run rate in control.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

He was joined by Khawaja Nafay (12) as Rossouw stitched a 40-run partnership with the South African batter doing the bulk of the scoring.

Quetta Gladiators were in control until Rilee Rossouw’s dismissal on the ball of the 14th over. The left-hander had accumulated 21 runs from Ubaid Shah’s over before getting caught. He remained top-scorer, striking five sixes and five fours in his 62 from just 29 balls.

His wicket sealed the deal for the defending champions as Abrar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 24 from 14, which reduced the margin of defeat for Gladiators.

For Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf took two wickets in his quota of four overs.

With this loss, the chances of Quetta Gladiators are now slim as they now sit on six points with only one game left.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman smashed a blistering century to propel Lahore Qalandars to an imposing 197-6 against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

The left-handed opener dominated proceedings with a blistering 103 off 51 deliveries, marking his third century in the league and laying the foundation for Qalandars’ massive total.

Qalandars endured an early setback when Mohammad Farooq departed for just four in the second over. Fakhar, however, quickly took control and stitched a 57-run stand with Abdullah Shafique, contributing the bulk of the runs before Shafique was dismissed for 14 by Abrar Ahmed.

Fakhar then found an able partner in Charith Asalanka as the duo added 96 runs for the third wicket. The aggressive opener continued to dictate terms, reaching his century during the partnership while keeping the Gladiators’ bowlers under constant pressure.

The stand was eventually broken by Brett Hampton, who removed Asalanka for 31 off 24 balls, leaving the score at 160-3 in 15.3 overs.

Fakhar’s innings soon ended in the following over, but not before he had struck 11 fours and six sixes in a match-defining knock.

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Late contribution from Daniel Sams, who remained unbeaten on 18 off 12 deliveries, ensured Qalandars finished strongly at 197-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

For the Gladiators, Khalil Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Hampton and Usman Tariq chipped in with one apiece.

READ: Karachi Kings rope in Zahid Mahmood for remainder of PSL 11

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have bolstered their squad for the decisive phase of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 by bringing in experienced leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood.

The Karachi-based franchise confirmed the development in an official statement, highlighting the veteran spinner’s ability to deliver breakthroughs during the middle overs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Mahmood, known for his sharp turn and deceptive googly, has been a part of Kings’ squad in 2024 and 2025 seasons too. With the tournament entering its business end, his ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs is expected to be a vital asset for the franchise,” the franchise stated.

The 38-year-old has been a familiar face in the league, having represented multiple teams over the years, including Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United, alongside his stints with the Kings.

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During the PSL 9, he featured in six matches for Karachi, picking up eight wickets, while his overall PSL tally stands at 15 wickets in 15 appearances.

Karachi Kings currently find themselves in a tight mid-table battle, sitting on six points after seven matches.

The Kings are set to face Peshawar Zalmi in their next fixture, scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, as they look to strengthen their position in the standings.

READ: Dasun Shanaka breaks silence on his PSL ban

LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and decided to bat first against Quetta Gladiators, in the 30th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. 

Playing XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Brett Hampton, Bevon Jacobs, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Khalil Ahmed, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Lahore Qalandars: M. Farooq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Charith Asalanka, Haseeb Ullah (wk), Sikandar Raza, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Haris Rauf

HEAD TO HEAD

Qalandars and Gladiators have faced each other 22 times, with the holders leading the head-to-head record with 11 wins. The 2019 champions have secured ten victories, and one match ended in a no result.

Matches 22, Lahore Qalandars 11, Quetta Gladiators 10, NR 1

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has broken his silence after being handed a one-year ban from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), admitting regret over his decision to withdraw from the tournament and apologising to fans and stakeholders.

The 34-year-old was sanctioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for breaching his contract with Lahore Qalandars during the ongoing PSL 11 season.

Shanaka had been signed by the defending champions for PKR 7.5 million but later pulled out of the league before joining the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for injured England all-rounder Sam Curran.

Following a detailed review, the PCB ruled that Shanaka’s withdrawal constituted a violation of the league’s player registration terms and the tripartite agreement, subsequently declaring him ineligible for PSL 12 in 2027.

Responding to the decision, Shanaka expressed remorse over the episode and acknowledged the disappointment caused by his actions.

“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community,” he said.

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“The HBL PSL is a prestigious tournament, and I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions.”

The Sri Lankan all-rounder also extended a direct apology to Lahore Qalandars supporters, admitting he had let them down at a crucial stage of the competition.

“To the loyal fans of Lahore Qalandars, I am truly sorry for letting you down,” he added.

Dasun Shanaka further clarified that he had no prior intention of participating in another league at the time of his withdrawal, while reiterating his admiration for cricket in Pakistan.

“I must clarify that at the time I withdrew from the HBL PSL, I had no intention of joining any other tournament,” he stated.

“I have the greatest respect for Pakistani Fans and have always enjoyed my time in Pakistan. I hope to return to the HBL PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the trust of the fans.”

READ: Blessing Muzarabani reacts after two-year PSL ban

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka after ruling that his withdrawal from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 constituted a breach of contract with Lahore Qalandars.

Shanaka, 34, had been signed by the defending champions for PKR 7.5 million for the ongoing edition. However, he pulled out of the tournament to link up with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran.

In an official statement, the PCB confirmed that a detailed review of the matter found Shanaka’s unilateral withdrawal to be in violation of both the Player Registration terms and the tripartite agreement governing PSL contracts.

“Following a comprehensive review of the recent contractual developments involving Dasun Shanaka and the Lahore Qalandars, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued its final determination regarding the player’s eligibility for future editions of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL),” the board stated.

As a result, Shanaka has been declared ineligible for the next edition of the PSL, effectively ruling him out of PSL 12, scheduled for 2027.

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“The review concluded that the player’s unilateral withdrawal from the tournament on March 21, 2026, constituted a clear breach of both the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement,” the statement added.

“The findings indicated that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognised within the existing contractual framework.

“Effective immediately, Dasun Shanaka has been declared ineligible to participate in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL 12), scheduled for 2027.”

While accepting the decision, the Sri Lankan all-rounder issued a public apology, expressing remorse over his actions and the disappointment caused to fans and stakeholders.

“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community,” Shanaka said.

READ: Rashid Khan reveals he rejected citizenship offers from India, Australia

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam reflected on his batting approach after scoring a brilliant century against Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Babar scored an unbeaten century from 52 balls, propelling his side to a record total of 255-3 in 20 overs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Babar described his 12th T20 century as a memorable moment, adding that it came with a tense finish.

“Reaching a milestone like this is an incredible feeling, but it was a bit of a roller coaster at the end. When I put in that dive, I genuinely thought I had fallen short of the crease. It wasn’t until my partner told me I’d made it that the emotions really hit me,” he said.

Babar was involved in a 135-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who made 83 from 43 balls. The right-hander revealed the key behind the successful stand, noting that both batters continuously assessed conditions to set a competitive total.

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“Out in the middle, constant communication is key. Mendis and I were continuously assessing the conditions to gauge what a competitive score would be on this specific track,” Babar revealed.

“In the early stages of our partnership, he was hitting the ball so cleanly that my primary focus was simply getting him on strike. Once he departed, I knew I had to shift gears, step up, and take on that scoring responsibility to maintain the momentum he had built,” he continued.

The 31-year-old credited bowlers for showing determination and praised the players warming the bench.

“A huge amount of credit must go to our young bowlers for how they’ve stepped up. I also want to acknowledge the players on the sidelines; even those not currently in the XI due to team combinations have been working incredibly hard and pushing the group forward.”

He further noted that the team made full use of an eight-day break to prepare specific plans, which were executed effectively under pressure.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“We utilized our eight-day break to prepare meticulously, and it’s very rewarding to see the players execute those specific plans so well under pressure,” the skipper maintained.

“As for the remaining games, we’ll take some time to assess where we stand. We want to maintain our winning rhythm, but we will certainly look at whether there’s an opportunity to test our bench strength and give others a chance to contribute before the tournament progresses further,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Babar Azam breaks multiple records against Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has responded through his agent after being handed a two-year ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from participating in the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

On April 14, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)  slapped a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Islamabad United.

The PCB said that professionalism in franchise leagues demands transparency and consistency, adding that taking part in a conflicting engagement while an existing binding agreement remains in place falls short of the game’s expected standards.

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 IPL franchise KKR as a replacement for Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.

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However, in a statement on the agency’s X account, Rob Humphries, the agent, denied that a binding agreement was reached between the league and the player before Muzarabani decided to sign with KKR in the IPL.

“We’ve remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause anymore animosity for the Pakistan Super League/Pakistan Cricket Board than they had already created for themselves,” the statement read.

“[On] 13 February, Blessing [was] approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. The deal [was] agreed subject to obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket. An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL. Islamabad United/PSL announced the signing to the world via social media,” it further added.

The statement also notes that, two weeks later, on February 27, no official contract had been received yet. By that time, KKR had contacted Muzarabani with an offer, and the agreement was finalized.

READ: PSL 11: Babar Azam breaks multiple records against Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi shattered multiple records against Quetta Gladiators in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 played here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Put into bat first, Zalmi racked up 255 for the loss of three wickets in their 20 overs, largely due to a 135-run stand between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis.

The total was the 2017 champions’ highest in PSL history and overall third in the tournament’s history. Earlier in the tournament, Zalmi had recorded 246-3 against Karachi Kings.

Highest totals in PSL history

Quetta Gladiators – 263/3 against Islamabad United in 2025
Multan Sultans – 262/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
Peshawar Zalmi – 255/3 against Quetta Gladiators in 2026
Quetta Gladiators – 253/8 against Multan Sultans in 2023
Islamabad United – 251/5 against Karachi Kings in 2025

The foundation for a big total was laid by Babar, who scored an unbeaten 100 off only 52 balls, striking six fours and four sixes.

His 52-ball century, the fastest he has made in this prestigious league, allowed him to match the record for most PSL centuries, joining Kamran Akmal, Rilee Rossouw, and Usman Khan.

Additionally, Babar shared a 135-run partnership for the second wicket with Mendis, which also tied him with India’s Virat Kohli for the most century-plus stands in T20s.

Most 100 partnerships in T20 cricket

47 – Virat Kohli (India)
47 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
46 – Chris Gayle (West Indies)
45 – David Warner (Australia)
40 – Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Notably, Babar Azam only played one dot ball during his 52-ball innings. According to the ball-by-ball database, which includes over 3,000 innings of 50 or more balls in T20s worldwide, no batter has ever had as few as one dot ball in such an innings.

READ: PSL 11: Babar, Mendis and bowlers sink Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Babar Azam’s unbeaten century, Kusal Mendis’s gutsy 83, and a disciplined bowling effort powered Peshawar Zalmi to a massive 118-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 257, Quetta Gladiators were bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs.

Quetta Gladiators were in trouble right from the onset as Peshawar Zalmi removed their three batters inside the powerplay. Saud Shakeel (12), Rilee Rossouw (0), and Hassan Nawaz (5), all three batters, were dismissed cheaply.

The fourth batter to fall was Shamyl Hussain after the power play. The left-hander made 21 from 18 balls.

With 45-4, Dinesh Chandimal and Bevon Jacobs tried to stop the slide, adding a brief 29 run for the fifth wicket.

However, following Chamdimal’s dismissal, Quetta Gladiators’ innings unraveled quickly as they slumped to 82-7 at the halfway mark.

Bevon Jacobs remained the top-scorer for them, hitting three sixes in his 34 from 27 balls, while Alzarri Joseph remained unbeaten on 19 from 15 deliveries.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Ali Raza and Mohammad Basit shared six wickets between them.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Earlier, Babar Azam’s sublime century guided Peshawar Zalmi to their highest total against.

Put into bat first, Peshawar Zalmi ended their innings on a massive 255-3 in 20 overs — the third highest total of PSL history.

The foundation for a big total was laid in the first over by Mohammad Haris, who accumulated 23 from Jahandad Khan’s opening over.

In the very next over, Alzarri Joseph sent back dangerous Haris, who made 16 from six balls.

The wicket, the highest run getter of this season, Kusal Mendis, was brought to the crease, who forged a mammoth 135-run partnership from 75 balls. The pair made a mockery of the Quetta Gladiators’ bowling attack.

Both batters notched up half-centuries with Peshawar Zalmi reaching 165 in 14.1 overs. The stand eventually culminated with Mendis’ wicket, who was caught after scoring 83 from 44 balls, striking three sixes and 10 fours.

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Meanwhile, Babar continued on his merry way, first adding a brief 24-run partnership with Farhan Yousaf, who made 19 from eight balls.

Peshawar Zalmi were well placed at 189-3 in 16.2 overs with Aaron Hardies providing the innings with a late impetus. The Australian batter scored 26* off 10, hitting three sixes.

Meanwhile, Babar completed his 12th century in T20 cricket on the final ball of the innings. He made 100* from 52 balls, striking four sixes and six boundaries.

For Quetta Gladiators, Alzarri Joseph, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each.

READ: Hasan Ali confident of Karachi Kings’ comeback in PSL 11

KARACHI: Fast bowler Hasan Ali vowed to bounce back following the Karachi Kings’ defeat against Multan Sultans in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The Kings fell short by 11 runs against the Sultans while chasing a formidable 208-run target here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Hasan Ali had a forgettable outing, returning with the figures of 1 for 51 in four overs, including 21 off the final over of the Multan Sultans innings.

The loss marked the Kings’ fourth in a row, and they now have to win their remaining three matches to stay in contention for the playoffs.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

After the match, Hasan spoke to the media and reflected on his side’s shortcomings against Multan Sultans.

“We have lost four matches in Karachi. We have failed in every department,” he told reporters.

Karachi Kings now need to win their remaining three matches to stay in contention for a place in the playoffs.

“Our team has shown good performances in Lahore. We will regroup and try to make a comeback in Lahore,” said the right-arm pacer.

He also responded to a question regarding the absence of regular captain David Warner.

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“He is a match-winner. For us, every player is important, just like David Warner. This is Karachi Kings’ team, not just David Warner’s team. Our team has players of every kind and skill set. We still have three matches left, and we will try to win them,” he continued.

The 31-year-old emphasized team combination, noting that perceptions change depending on results.

“A combination is always made well in every franchise. If a player is given chances but does not perform, then you have to look for options,” Hasan Ali concluded.

READ: Multan Sultans edge Karachi Kings in PSL 11 clash