Babar Azam congratulates Lahore Qalandars for PSL 7 triumph

RAWALPINDI: 2020 Pakistan Super League (PSL) winning player and the current captain of Karachi Kings – Babar Azam congratulated Lahore Qalandars for winning the PSL 7.

Taking to Twitter, Babar congratulated the Qalandars for PSL 7 triumph, while also lauded the performance of both finalists – the Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

The top-ranked T20I batter further heaped praises to Shaheen Shah Afridi, for his brilliant performance as a captain of Qalandars and showed sympathy towards the runners-up finalist’s captain Multan Sultans – Mohammad Rizwan.

Babar then went on to thank the cricketing fans for making the PSL 7 a hit by their immense support throughout the tournament and filling the stadiums to cheer for their favorite teams.

It is apropos to mention here that the Qalandars won their maiden PSL title last night by defeating the defending champions Sultans by 42 runs in the final of the mega event.

READ: Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022 to kick off from March 15

‘PSL 7 profits jump highest in league’s history’ PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja

LAHORE: In an official statement, released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja revealed that the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earned the highest revenue in the league’s history.

According to the statement shared by the PCB, Ramiz revealed that the PSL 7 had the greatest revenue and viewership of any edition in the league’s history, as the seventh edition was the most successful.

“PSL 7 profits jumped to 71 percent, the most in its history, with each franchise earning around PKR900million, again the most in PSL’s history, and all before the first ball was even bowled,” Ramiz stated.

According to the statement, Ramiz further announced to expand the marquee event to the next level by hosting the matches in other cities as well.

“For next year, we aspire to take this league to the homes of all franchises and broaden its fan-reach,” he said.

Furthermore, Ramiz also thanked cricketing fans for their immense support and claimed he never witnessed such enthusiasts and lively crowds in my professional career.

“There is no doubt that the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 has been a phenomenal success and this is largely due to the fact that we had amazing crowds, both in Karachi and Lahore,” he quoted saying.

“In my professional career, I have never seen such charged up, overwhelming, enthusiastic, lively, and supportive crowds, particularly in Lahore,” he added.

Ramiz then went on to thank the cricketing fans and other supporting staff for the immense success of this year’s PSL.

“On behalf of the PCB, I thank all the fans who crossed the turnstiles to not only play their significant part in the success of PSL 7,” he said.

“I would like to thank our sponsors, players, franchises, the medical team, law enforcing agencies, local and provisional administrations, commentators and crew members, and ground staff for their untiring efforts, as well as millions watching on television all around the world who made this HBL PSL a memorable spectacle,” he concluded.

READ: ‘Will expand PSL to Quetta, Peshawar, Multan’ Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja

Mohammad Rizwan to lead Team of PSL 7

LAHORE: The captain of Multan Sultans and the Player of the Tournament of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 – Mohammad Rizwan has been named as the captain of the team of the tournament.

Sultans’ skipper Rizwan, who has been adjudged as the captain of the side, is one of the four Sultans players who have been selected. Khushdil Shah, Tim David, and Rilee Rossouw also made their way into the Playing XI. The opening batter – Shan Masood, however, was selected as the 12th man.

The PSL 7 winning side – Lahore Qalandars is also represented by four players; including Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zaman Khan, and Rashid Khan.

On the other hand, one player each from Peshawar Zalmi (Shoaib Malik), Islamabad United (Shadab Khan), and Quetta Gladiators (Naseem Shah) got their names in the team of the tournament.

The team of the PSL 2022 was selected by the distinguished members of the commentary panel of the recently concluded marquee event.

Squad (in batting order):

  1. Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) (captain & wicketkeeper)
  2. Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)
  3. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)
  4. Shadab Khan (Islamabad United)
  5. Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)
  6. Tim David (Multan Sultans)
  7. Khushdil Shah (Multan Sultans)
  8. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
  9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)
  10. Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
  11. Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators)
  12. Shan Masood (Multan Sultans) (12th)

Lahore Qalandars beat Multan Sultans to claim their maiden PSL title

LAHORE: The home side Lahore Qalandars’ bowlers wreaked havoc over Multan Sultan’s batting unit; defeating the latter by 42 runs to win their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, here at Gaddafi stadium.

Set to chase 181 in the final of the mega event, the defending champions Sultans could only manage to score 138 before getting bowled out in the final over.

The Sultans, despite having a decent start, faltered in the run chase after the skipper Mohammad Rizwan made his way back to the pavilion after scoring just 14. Following his departure, the side began to lose wickets at an alarming rate and in the end, bowled out for 138.

The left-handed explosive batter Khushdil Shah, resisted a bit as he top-scored for his side with a gritty 32 off 23 balls, while the rest of the batters could not contribute significantly in the run chase.

The Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi led his side from the front; taking three wickets, while Zaman Khan and Mohammad Hafeez followed back with two each. Haris Rauf and David Wiese, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.

After opting to bat first, the Qalandars finished at 180-5 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the late on-slaught by Wiese and Harry Brook. The pair fired all the cylinders and bolstered the side to a commendable total in the final of the mega event.

Earlier, the home side was off to a poor start; losing three wickets for a mere 25 runs as Abdullah Shafique and Zeeshan Ashraf, alongside the in-form batter Fakhar Zaman perished after scoring cheaply.

The veteran batter – Hafeez then anchored the innings with his gritty knock and put on a valuable 54-runs partnership with Kamran Ghulam. Just when the pair appeared comfortable at the crease Kamran made his way back to the pavilion after attempting to sail the ball over the bowler’s head.

Kamran managed to score 15 off 20 balls, while Hafeez kept going and went on to score a magnificent half-century. He, however, departed in the 18th over after attempting to accelerate the proceedings. He top-scored with 69 off just 46 balls; smashing nine boundaries and a six.

Following his departure, the cameos from Brook and Wiese turned the game on his head as the pair contributed a handy 43 runs on the last 16 balls. Wiese scored a quickfire 28 off just eight balls with the help of a boundary and three sixes, while Brook scored an unbeaten 41 off a mere 22 balls; smoking two boundaries and three sixes.

For the Sultans, Asif Afridi bagged three wickets, while Shahnawaz Dahani and David Willey struck out a batter each.

Qalandars win toss, elect to bat first against Sultans in PSL 7 Final

LAHORE: The home side Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and elected to bat first against the defending champions Multan Sultans in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, Harry Brook, Zeeshan Ashraf, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Shan Masood, Rilee Rossouw, Aamer Azmat, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Asif Afridi, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Rumman Raees

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-12, Multan Sultans-7, Lahore Qalandars-5

Home side Qalandars to face defending champions Sultans in PSL 7 Final

LAHORE: In the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, the home side Lahore Qalandars will face the defending champions Multan Sultans, to seek glory here at Gaddafi Stadium.

The two top sides at the end of the PSL 7 group stage – Qalandars and Sultans will be locking horns in the final of the mega event. The Qalandars eye first PSL 7 title victory, while the Sultans are all set to defend their title.

For the Sultans, their skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood will play a key role as the defending champions rely heavily on their opening stand.

The Sultans’ middle-order has also been put to the test numerous times in the marquee event and it also has the firepower to turn the game on its head. Rilee Rossouw, Khusdhil Shah, and Aamer Azmat are in great touch.

Tim David’s return has also strengthened the side as he is currently leading the six-hitting chart in this year’s PSL.

In the bowling department, the defending champions are laced with the sheer pace; having David Willey and Shahnawaz Dahani in their line-up, while Rumman Raees can deceive the batters with his amazing variations. Khushdil Shah, on the other hand, has turned out to be a trump card for Sultans with his bowling abilities.

[totalpoll id=”236893″]

The Qalandars will be backing themselves quite heavily despite their defeat against the Sultans in the qualifier as the home side has found the lost momentum with their stunning victory over Islamabad United in the second eliminator.

Fakhar Zaman, who has been the player to rely on has been silent in his previous outings. Whereas, the home side will want him to chip in on the big stage to steer the Qalandars to the PSL triumph.

Apart from Fakhar, young Abdullah Shafique can play a vital role for the Qalandars as the young right-handed batter played a sensational knock in his last outing against the United.

The South-African all-rounder can also play a major role in his side’s success with his brilliant all-round performance as the 36-years-old is firing both with the bat and ball.

The bowling department, which is considered as the strength of the Qalandars, laced with the skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Samit Patel, David Wiese, and Mohammad Hafeez can post a major threat to the Sultans’ comprehensive batting unit.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-12, Multan Sultans-7, Lahore Qalandars-5

Aleem Dar, Richard Illingworth to stand on-ground in PSL 7 final

LAHORE: ICC Elite Panelists Aleem Dar and Richard Illingworth will be officiating on the ground during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 final. 

Dar and Illingworth will be accompanied by Michael Gough (3rd Umpire) and Ahsan Raza (4rth Umpire) on the final day. Sri Lanka’s Roshan Mahanama will lead the playing control room.

Defending champions Multan Sultans will take on Lahore Qalandars in the final contest on Sunday.

READ: Qalandars seal a thrilling victory over United, advance to the PSL 7 final

Qalandars seal a thrilling victory over United, advance to the PSL 7 final

LAHORE: The home side Lahore Qalandars have sealed a thrilling victory by six runs against Islamabad United in the second eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

The Qalandars’ all-rounder David Wiese bowled a magnificent last over; defending a mere eight runs to drive his side to the PSL 7 final. The Qalandars will now face the defending champions Multan Sultans on February 27.

Set to chase 169, the United remained six runs short despite the brilliant knocks of Azam Khan and Alex Hales. The two-time PSL champions were steering comfortably in the run chase till the 14th over as the side was 125-4 before Azam got run out.

Following Azam’s dismissal, Hales also made his way back to the pavilion after scoring 38. Azam, however, top-scored with his 40 off 28 balls with the help of three boundaries and two sixes.

Hales’ dismissal then, initiated a match-defining collapse as the United were bundled out for 162 in the run chase; handing a thrilling six runs victory to the Qalandars.

For the Qalandars, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zaman Khan, and Haris Rauf bagged two wickets each. The hero of the Qalandars Wiese, on the other hand, claimed one wicket.

Despite an unwanted start, the Qalandars finished at a commendable 168-7 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the Wiese’s late power hitting at the death. His cameo of 28 runs came for just eight deliveries with the help of a boundary and three sixes.

Came out to bat, the Qalandars were halted by a poor start; losing two wickets for a mere seven runs as the in-form batter Fakhar Zaman and Phil Salt perished after scoring cheaply.

Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam then anchored the innings with a brilliant 73-runs partnership for the third wicket. Kamran departed earlier after scoring 30, while Shafique went on to smash a magnificent half-century.

The right-handed batter scored 52 runs off just 28 balls; smashing four boundaries and three sixes. Later, Samit Patel also played a crucial knock of 21 to provide a helping hand to Wiese. He scored 21 off 18 balls; including one boundary and a six.

For the United, Liam Dawson and Mohammad Wasim bagged two wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Waqas Maqsood struck out a batter apiece.

Qalandars win toss, opt to bat first against United in PSL 7 eliminator 2

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and elected to bat first against Islamabad United in the second eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Paul Stirling, Will Jacks, Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Liam Dawson, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hassan Ali, Waqas Maqsood, Athar Mahmood

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, Harry Brook, Phil Salt, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-14, Islamabad United-9, Lahore Qalandars-5
In the last five matches, Qalandars lead the table by 3-2

Blind Cricket: Pak Red win the exhibition match before PSL 7 eliminator 2

LAHORE: Pakistan Red defeated Pakistan Green by 20 runs in a blind cricket exhibition match held at Gaddafi Stadium before the second eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here on Friday.

Batting first, the Reds scored 77 runs in the first innings with Badar Munir top-scoring with 41 off just 12 balls.

The Greens in response could only manage to score 57 runs in the allotted four overs thus handing an easy 20-runs victory to the men in red.

The exhibition match was held prior to the second eliminator of the PSL 7 as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took the initiative to promote blind cricket during its biggest event.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) lauded PCB’s effort and thanked PCB chairman Ramiz Raja for providing the opportunity to the national side.

“Thank you [Ramiz Raja] for providing the opportunity to Pakistan Blind Cricket Team to demonstrate their skills in an exhibition match of 4 overs a side at GSL on the sidelines of [PSL 7],” the cricket council wrote.

It must be noted here that the South Africa blind team will be coming to Pakistan in March to play five ODIs and three T20Is. The ODI series will take place in Karachi whereas Faisalabad and Lahore will host T20Is.

READ: Blind Cricket to roll into action before PSL 7 Eliminator 2