PSL 2023 Archives

PSL’s bowling standard has no match with other leagues: Amir

LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has rated Pakistan Super League in high esteem, saying the tournament has no match with other leagues around the world in terms of high bowling standards.

Amir, who has been spearheading Karachi Kings’ bowling attack since the PSL’s inception, looks all set for another unforgettable season representing Kings in the upcoming eighth edition of the PSL, starting from February 13.

The left-arm pacer, who is a well-reputed name in franchise leagues around the world, said people were eagerly waiting, not just in Pakistan but all over the globe, for the PSL as they wanted to see high-quality cricket.

“ I have just returned from the Bangladesh Premier League and despite the fact that many leagues are taking place right now; people there were waiting for the PSL to begin because of the high quality of cricket,” he said in the latest episode of PCB Podcast.

“I travel all over the world to play cricket, and everyone rates the PSL very highly because of the quality of bowling.”

He added: No league comes closer in comparison when it comes to the quality of bowling, and now we are producing quality batters too. We have unearthed [Mohammad] Haris and we got Haider [Ali] as well.”

Talking about the impact that PSL has had on him, the 30-year-old said it helped him in getting back into the rhythm when he was making his comeback in international cricket.

“When I played the first edition of the PSL, I had just made my international comeback in New Zealand and it provided me the exposure and environment of the international cricket because of the top quality of cricket.” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that left-arm quick is the first player to take a hat trick in the PSL and has 54 wickets to his credit to date.

READ: Neuer ‘put personal interests’ above Bayern, says sporting director

Teams strengthen squads in PSL 8 replacement draft

LAHORE: All six Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises beefed up their squads in the replacement draft that took place over a conference call on Wednesday.

The six teams added players to their squads in the third and fourth supplementary pick rounds before naming replacements for the players who were partially or fully unavailable. Each side could pick a maximum of one foreign cricketer in the two supplementary rounds.

Peshawar Zalmi, who had reserved their pick in the second supplementary round in the HBL PSL 8 Player Draft in December, picked fast bowler Khurram Shahzad.

In the first pick of the third supplementary round, Peshawar Zalmi picked Haris Sohail, who recently made a comeback to the Pakistan ODI side.

Lahore Qalandars, who had the second pick, named Ahsan Bhatti, a left-arm spin all-rounder and product of their player development programme. Islamabad United and Karachi Kings picked Tom Curran and Ben Cutting, who played for Peshawar Zalmi last season, respectively. Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans, who had the fifth and sixth picks, included Qais Ahmed and Kieron Pollard, who has previously turned out for Karachi Kings.

The fourth supplementary round followed the reverse order in which Multan Sultans took Ammad Butt, who was with Peshawar Zalmi in the last edition. Quetta Gladiators picked Saud Shakeel. Karachi Kings and Islamabad United picked Musa Khan, who was previously in Islamabad United, and Zafar Gohar, while Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi reserved their picks.

Teams strengthen rosters in #HBLPSL8 replacement draft.

Read more: https://t.co/Si21yM9WIS #SabSitarayHumaray pic.twitter.com/i6trwKRF8o

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 25, 2023

The six franchises also named replacements for the players who are partially or fully unavailable.

In the Platinum category, Lahore Qalandars picked Sam Billings for Rashid Khan; Peshawar Zalmi replaced Rovman Powell with Richard Gleeson; Islamabad United picked Gus Atkinson and Tymal Mills for Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Alex Hales. Multan Sultan replaced David Miller with Izharulhaq Naveed. Quetta reserved their pick for Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga.

In the Diamond category, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi reserved their picks for Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb ur Rehman; Quetta Gladiators picked Dwaine Pretorius and Will Jacks for Odean Smith and Jason Roy.

Multan Sultan reserved their replacements for Akeal Hosein and Tim David in the Gold category.

In the Silver category, Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars replaced Naveen ul Haq with Nuwan Thushara and Harry Brook with Shane Dadswell.

In the supplementary picks, Lahore Qalandars’ Jordan Cox was replaced with Kusal Mendis, Multan Sultans’ Adil Rashid with Wayne Parnell and Karachi Kings’ Tabraiz Shamsi with Faisal Akram. Islamabad United reserved their pick for Moeen Ali.

Rovman Powell, David Miller, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein and Tabraiz Shamsi will potentially be unavailable to their franchises from 8 March onwards due to bilateral limited overs series between the West Indies and South Africa.

Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Jason Roy are potentially unavailable because of the England versus Bangladesh limited overs series to their franchises from 26 February till 14 March. Alex Hales will join the HBL PSL 8 from 26 February onwards. Tim David will join the tournament from 3 March. Jordan Cox will be available to Lahore Qalandars from 21 February as he is on the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka. Wanindu Hasaranga will leave the tournament from 3 March.

Afghanistan cricketers may become unavailable to their teams for brief duration due to potential international commitment.

Supplementary and replacements picks on Wednesday (25 January 2023):

Peshawar Zalmi – Supplementary: Khurram Shahzad and Haris Sohail. Replacement: Richard Gleeson

Lahore Qalandars – Supplementary: Ahsan Bhatti. Replacement: Sam Billings, Shane Dadswell and Kusal Mendis

Islamabad United – Supplementary: Tom Curran and Zafar Gohar. Replacement: Gus Atkinson and Tymal Mills

Karachi Kings – Supplementary: Ben Cutting and Musa Khan. Replacement: Faisal Akram

Quetta Gladiators – Supplementary: Qais Ahmed and Saud Shakeel. Replacement: Dwaine Pretorius, Will Jacks and Nuwan Thushara

Multan Sultans – Supplementary: Kieron Pollard and Ammad Butt. Replacement: Wayne Parnell and Izharulhaq Naveed.

Is Ali Sethi performing PSL 8 anthem? Najam Sethi settles the dust

LAHORE: Renowned Pakistani singer Ali Sethi will not sing the Pakitan Super League season 8 anthem, revealed his father and chair of Pakistan Cricket Board’s Management Committee Najam Sethi.

PCB authorities were in talks with the company, with whom Ali Sethi produced the famous Pasoori song, and they were planning to involve the singer in the PSL anthem. But on his father’s insistence, Sethi backed out of the project, confirmed senior Sethi, saying it would be a ‘conflict of interest’ and might invite unwanted controversy.

“This is a sensitive issue,” he said in a press conference called on Friday to announce the PSL8 scheduled. “Look at my position (in the board). Obviously, there will be many who will say this is not right and say it’s a conflict of interest”

“So there is no need to get involved in this controversy. There are many other talented singers in the country.”

“You can call him back when I am not in the PCB” he quipped.

It is worth mentioning here that the much-anticipated anthem of the PSL season 8 is still under production and will soon be released.

The mega-event will kick off in Multan on February 13 with defending champions Lahore Qalandars taking on Multan Sultans in the opening match.

READ: PSL 8 to kick off from Feb 13 in Multan as PCB unveils schedule

PSL 8 to kick off from Feb 13 in Multan as PCB unveils schedule

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars will have an opportunity to make history when they will take on Multan Sultans in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League 8 at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday, 13 February.

Lahore Qalandars had defeated defending champions Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium by 42 runs in 2022, and will now have an additional incentive going into the eighth edition of the tournament, with the chance of becoming the first franchise to win back to back titles. Prior to Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi were in the similar situation when they reached the 2018 final as defending champions but faltered at the last hurdle and lost to Islamabad United, who clinched their second title in three years.

Except for Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans, no other side as defending champions have reached the final in the biggest, highly competitive and most grueling league in the cricket playing world.

Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi will share between them the 34-match tournament, and the event schedule has been designed in such a way that the four home sides will each play five matches in front of their fans and supporters – one against each side.

This means Qalandars will play five matches at the Gaddafi Stadium, while their other five matches will be in Multan (one) and, Karachi and Rawalpindi (two each). Similarly, Sultans’ five away matches will be in Rawalpindi (three) and, Karachi and Lahore (one each); Kings’ away matches will be in Rawalpindi (three) and, one each in Lahore and Multan; and United’s five away matches will be in Karachi (three) and, one each in Lahore and Multan.

Quetta Gladiators will play their 10 league matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi (four each), Lahore and Multan (one each), while Peshawar Zalmi’s fixtures will be in Rawalpindi (five), Karachi (three), and one each in Lahore and Multan.

The PSL 8 will be held in two legs with Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Cricket Arena splitting matches from 13-26 February before the action shifts to the Gaddafi Stadium and Pindi Cricket Stadium where the matches will be played from 26 February to 19 March. This includes the Qualifier, two Eliminators and the final at the home of Pakistan cricket from 15-19 March.

The soft launch of the Pakistan Women’s League will also take place during the PSL 8 when three exhibition matches will be played in the lead-up to the men’s matches in Rawalpindi on 8, 10 and 11 March. The two women’s sides are expected to comprise leading local and foreign players, details of which will be announced in due course.

“I am delighted to formally confirm the schedule of the HBL PSL 8, which will allow the Pakistan Cricket Board and the six franchises to start firming up and finalising their respective event plans and objectives.” said Chair of PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi.

“The HBL PSL 8 will be a massive event for the PCB, taking place at the four iconic venues with the world’s best T20 cricketers in action. We aim to make the HBL PSL bigger, better and stronger than ever before with the overarching ambition to make it the first-choice event for leading T20 cricketers.

“Each of the six sides will enter the HBL PSL 8 with lots at stake. Islamabad United will aim to become the most successful team with three titles, Lahore Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back to back titles and the remaining four teams will once again attempt to put a hand on the glittering silverware. This makes up for an exciting, enthralling and entertaining 34-match tournament.

“There will be no question on the quality of cricket that will be played in over 34 days of action-packed cricket. I am hoping the HBL PSL will once again live up to its expectations of unearthing and identifying future stars who will not only challenge the established household names in this edition but will go on to represent Pakistan.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to HBL, who have supported this tournament since its inception in 2016 by retaining the title sponsorship rights. I would also like to thank all our other valued commercial partners, broadcasters and franchise owners for their patronage, and hope they will continue to show faith in our pinnacle event and the PCB’s administrative vision, skills and capabilities so that we can collectively work together to enhance the image and profile of Pakistan cricket.

“Finally, I would request the passionate Pakistan cricket fans to back the HBL PSL 8 by turning up in big numbers and showing their appreciation and support for not only their favourite teams and players, but towards all other participants.

“May the best side lift the most prestigious Trophy of the Pakistan cricket calendar at the home of Pakistan cricket on 19 March!”

Meanwhile, on the request of the franchises, the PCB has agreed to increase the number of players per side to 20, allowing each franchise to pick two additional Supplementary players. The Supplementary players will be picked in the Replacement Draft, which will take place on Tuesday, 24 January.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES (afternoon matches will start at 2pm; evening matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will start at 7pm. Evening matches in Multan will begin at 6pm except for the tournament opener, which will commence at 8pm)

13 Feb – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium

14 Feb – Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Cricket Arena

15 Feb – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium

16 Feb – Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

17 Feb – Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium

18 Feb – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Cricket Arena

19 Feb – Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium; Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Cricket Arena

20 Feb – Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Cricket Arena

21 Feb – Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Cricket Arena

22 Feb – Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium

23 Feb – Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

24 Feb – Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

26 Feb – Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Bank Cricket Arena; Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium

27 Feb – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium

1 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

2 Mar – Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium

3 Mar – Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

4 Mar – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium

5 Mar – Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium

6 Mar – Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

7 Mar – Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium

8 Mar – Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 1, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium

9 Mar – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium

10 Mar – Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 2, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium

11 Mar – Pakistan Women’s League Exhibition Match 3, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium

12 Mar – Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium

15 Mar – Qualifier (1 v 2), Gaddafi Stadium

16 Mar – Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), Gaddafi Stadium

17 Mar – Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1), Gaddafi Stadium

19 Mar – Final, Gaddafi Stadium