PCB announces 50pc discount on PSL 8 tickets for children

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday gave a major relief to young cricket fans as the ticket prices for the remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight matches here have been reduced by 50 percent for those under the age of 18.

According to the details, the discount is only valid for the league matches, scheduled to be held here and only one ticket can be bought on each B-Form.

“To provide young cricket fans an opportunity to see the cricket stars in action up close, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to provide 50 per cent discount to those under the age of 18 for the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 matches in Karachi,” stated PCB.

“This discount is applicable for all matches and one ticket can be bought on a B-Form. Each child will be required to bring their B-Form, on which they have bought the ticket, to enter the stadium.

“This discount is part of the PCB’s efforts to continue to inspire the next generation to take up the sport.”

It is pertinent to mention that the National Bank Cricket Arena here will host a total of nine PSL 8 matches including the much-anticipated clash between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars on Sunday (February 19).

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Munro, Azam propel United to beat Kings by four wickets

KARACHI: Islamabad United batters Colin Munro and Azam Khan bolstered the touring side to seal a comprehensive four-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the fourth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Set to chase 174, Islamabad United completed the run chase in the 19th over for the loss of six wickets with Munro leading the way for the visitors with a brisk half-century.

Earlier, the United had a dismal start to the run chase as the side lost both their openers Hassan Nawaz (7) and Paul Stirling (4) for a combined score of mere 21 runs in the fifth over.

Following the slump, Munro anchored the run chase with a gritty 59-run partnership with Rassie van der Dussen (31) before the latter perished in the 10th over to Kings’ skipper Imad Wasim.

Munro then put on yet another vital partnership with wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan and put the United in command as the pair raised 56 runs in just 32 deliveries before a mix-up between the wicket resulted in Munro walking back to the pavilion.

The left-handed batter top-scored for the United with 58 off 28 deliveries including five boundaries and four sixes.

Azam, on the other hand, kept United in control with belligerent hitting before finally perishing in the 16th over after scoring a 28-ball 44 that featured six boundaries and a six.

Faheem Ashraf’s cameo of 14 runs after Azam’s dismissal and Tom Curran’s unbeaten 10 made sure the United sailed through in their first match of the PSL 8.

Mohammad Amir and Muhammad Musa bagged two wickets each for the Kings, while Imad could make one scalp.

Put into bat first, the Kings accumulated a mammoth 173/7 in their allotted 20 overs at the back of a magnificent half-century by Haider Ali.

The home side got off to a shaky start as they lost their opener James Vince (4) cheaply for a mere five runs in the first over.

Following the early setback, Haider put on a gritty second-wicket partnership with Sharjeel Khan and anchored the innings.

The duo added 77 runs for the stand before Curran removed Sharjeel to hand United a much-needed breakthrough. The left-handed batter scored 34 off 26 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Haider, on the other hand, continued to dominate the United bowlers and soon brought up his fifty in 38 deliveries amid his vital partnership with Matthew Wade (18) for the third wicket.

The right-handed young batter then could not manage to stretch his outstanding knock and fell victim to Faheem Ashraf in the 15th over.

He top-scored for the Kings with 59 off 45 balls, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes.

Haider’s dismissal triggered a frustrating collapse which resulted in the Kings slipping to 125/5 in the 16th over.

The brief collapse, however, did not bother the Kings’ march towards a competitive total as the side managed to raise a decent total on the board; courtesy of significant cameos from Irfan Khan Niazi (19) and James Fuller (12) at the death.

For the United, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Curran bagged two wickets each while Faheem could pick one.

Munro’s fifty leads United to beat Kings in PSL 8

KARACHI: Islamabad United batters Colin Munro and Azam Khan bolstered the touring side to seal a comprehensive four-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in the fourth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

IU 178/6 (18.2 Overs)

Shoaib Malik to bowl the 19th

IU 171/6 (18 Overs)

Amir comes to bowl his last

IU 157/5 (17 Overs)

Imad comes back to bowl his last

IU 151/5 (16 Overs)

15.6: Azam Khan tried to whip the full ball to midwicket and connected quite well. But fired it straight to Haider Ali, who took a regulation catch at the fence.

Musa comes back

IU 137/4 (15 Overs)

Fuller replaces Amir

IU 128/3 (14 Overs)

Tye replaces Musa

IU 114/3 (13 Overs)

Amir comes back into the attack

IU 109/3 (12 Overs)

Musa replaces Imad

IU 94/3 (11 Overs)

Tye replaces Fuller

IU 83/3 (10 Overs)

Imad continues

IU 79/2 (9 Overs)

Fuller continues

IU 65/2 (8 Overs)

Imad replaces Tye

IU 60/2 (7 Overs)

James Fuller comes into the attack

IU 45/2 (6 Overs)

Andrew Tye comes to bowl his first

IU 35/2 (5 Overs)

4.1: Musa undoes Stirling with an in-swinging yorker. Stirling was looking to heave it away, but misread the length and hit on the pads. The ball would have crashed into the middle.

Musa continues

IU 21/1 (4 Overs)

Amir continues

IU 14/1 (3 Overs)

Musa comes to bowl his first

IU 8/1 (2 Overs)

Mohammad Amir to bowl from the other end

IU 4/0 (1 Over)

Paul Stirling and Hasan Nawaz come out to bat for the United. Imad Wasim to bowl the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs ISLAMABAD UNITED (2nd INNINGS)

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ top-order batter Haider Ali struck a magnificent half-century and powered his side to pile 173/7 against Islamabad United in the fourth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

KK 173/7 (20 Overs)

Rumman to bowl the final over

KK 163/6 (19 Overs)

Curran to bowl the 19th

KK 145/5 (18 Overs)

Wasim Jr comes to bowl his last

KK 132/5 (17 Overs)

Curran replaces Faheem

KK 126/5 (16 Overs)

15.5: Banged in short, was just a shade outside off, which meant Imad had to fetch it. Gets the pull out but hits it hard straight to Asif Ali at midwicket.

15.4: Short of a length ball around the hips. Wade looks for a pull, but can only get a glove on it and Azam dives to his right to complete a good catch.

Wasim Jr comes back

KK 121/3 (15 Overs)

14.4: Slower ball into the surface. Haider was a bit early into his shot, gets it off the bottom of his bat and Rassie van der Dussen takes a simple catch.

Faheem replaces Rumman

KK 115/2 (14 Overs)

Shadab comes to bowl his last

KK 105/2 (13 Overs)

Raees replaces Curran

KK 97/2 (12 Overs)

Shadab comes again

KK 84/2 (11 Overs)

Curran replaces Faheem

KK 81/1 (10 Overs)

Shadab continues

KK 68/1 (9 Overs)

Faheem continues

KK 63/1 (8 Overs)

Shadab Khan comes into the attack

KK 59/1 (7 Overs)

Faheem replaces Curran

KK 55/1 (6 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

KK 42/1 (5 Overs)

Tom Curran comes to bowl his first

KK 26/1 (4 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr comes into the attack

KK 18/1 (3 Overs)

Rumman continues

KK 15/1 (2 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end

KK 5/1 (1 Over)

0.6: Vince looked to clip it over midwicket, but the ball shapes into the right-hander and pierces through the gap between bat and pad.

James Vince and Sharjeel Khan come out to bat for the Kings. Rumman Raees to bowl the first over.

KARACHI KINGS VS ISLAMABAD UNITED (1st INNINGS)

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the fourth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Hasan Nawaz, Paul Stirling, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Rumman Raees

Karachi Kings: James Vince, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Matthew Wade, Irfanullah Niazi, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Mohammad Amir, Musa Khan.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-18, Islamabad United-12, Karachi Kings-6

Islamabad United win toss, elect to bowl first against Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the fourth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Hasan Nawaz, Paul Stirling, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Rumman Raees

Karachi Kings: James Vince, Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Matthew Wade, Irfanullah Niazi, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Mohammad Amir, Musa Khan.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-18, Islamabad United-12, Karachi Kings-6

SSU to make special arrangements for martyrs’ families to watch PSL 8

KARACHI: The Special Security Unit (SSU) upon the instruction of Deputy Inspector in General (DIG) Security Dr Maqsood Ahmed will make special arrangements for the families of martyred policemen to watch the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight matches.

According to the details, the families of the martyred policemen will now be able to watch the PSL 8 matches at the National Bank Cricket Arena here and will be brought to the stadium in special SSU buses.

DIG Security Dr Maqsood stated that the cause behind the initiative is to pay tribute to those policemen who lost their lives for the sake of national integrity.

“The aim of the initiative is to pay tribute to the police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty,” said Dr Maqsood.

“The purpose of bringing families and children to the stadium is to make them feel that the department is standing by their side and this initiative will also provide moments of happiness to the family of the martyrs,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the home side Karachi Kings will take on Islamabad United in today’s PSL 8 clash today.

The Kings will be eyeing to bounce back after a narrow two-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi with a triumph over the United, who on the other end, will start their PSL 8 campaign today.

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Karachi Kings replace injured Hamza with Akif Javed for PSL remainder

KARACHI: Karachi Kings called up fast bowler Akif Javed to replace Mir Hamza, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured finger, for the remainder of Pakistan Super League season 8.

Taking to Twitter, the most followed franchise of the PSL, Kings, announced that left-arm pacer Javed had been added to the squad in place of Mir Hamza.

Hamza fractured the index figure of his bowling hand during his side’s opening match against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Tuesday.

The left-arm fast attempted to stop Babar Azam’s straight drive in his follow through on the fourth ball of the second over and the ball ricocheted off his hand onto the non-striker’s stumps that sent Saim Ayub back to the pavilion as he was out of his crease.

He could bowl another eight ball in the match and finished with the match figures of one for 13 in two overs. He had dismissed Mohammad Haris two balls prior to the incident.

In a contest that swung like pendulum, Peshawar Zalmi came out victorious by mere two runs.

Akif Javed has previously been part of Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United squads. The left-arm fast bowler has 33 T20 wickets in 31 matches and bowls at an economy of 8.48.

It is pertinent to mention that the Kings will lock horns with Islamabad United in their second PSL 8 fixture on Thursday.

Karachi Kings Squad:

Imad Wasim (c), Sharjeel Khan, Matthew Wade (wk), Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Qasim Akram, Ben Cutting, Andrew Tye, Imran Tahir, Akif Javed, Mohammad Amir. James Vince, Tabraiz Shamsi, Aamer Yamin, Muhammad Umer, James Fuller, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Akhlaq (wk), Musa Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Faisal Akram, Adam Rossington

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Karachi Kings’ pacer Mir Hamza ruled out of PSL 8 remainder

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ left-arm pacer Mir Hamza has been ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight due to an injury.

According to the details, Hamza fractured one of his fingers amid his side’s opening clash against Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday which resulted in him ruling out of the ongoing marquee league.

The Kings are yet to announce Hamza’s replacement for the remainder of the league.

Taking to Twitter, Hamza’s PSL franchise Kings confirmed that the pacer fractured one of his fingers due to which he has been ruled out of the ongoing season.

“Fast bowler Mir Hamza has been ruled out of [PSL 8] due to a fractured finger,” wrote Kings.

“Our thoughts are with him, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The Karachi Kings family is with you, Mir!” Kings added.

 

Hamza was part of the Kings’ Playing XI during their two-run defeat against Zalmi in their opening match of PSL 8 on Tuesday.

The left-arm pacer could bowl two overs in the thriller against Zalmi and picked up a wicket for 13 runs.

It is pertinent to mention that the Kings will lock horns with Islamabad United in their second PSL 8 fixture on Thursday.

Ihsanullah, Rossouw propel Sultans to thump Gladiators

MULTAN: Multan Sultan’s young pacer Ihsanullah wreaked havoc over the strong Quetta Gladiators batting lineup before Rilee Rossouw powered the home side to a dominating nine-wicket victory with an unbeaten 78-run knock.

Set to chase a mere 111, the Sultans sealed the victory in style in the 14th over as Rossouw smashed back-to-back sixes to Mohammad Nawaz and finished as the top-scorer with an unbeaten 78.

The Sultans had a shaky start to the run chase as Shan Masood fell on the first delivery on the second over after managing to score a mere three.

Following the early hiccup, Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan anchored the run chase with Rossouw as the duo put on a match-winning 108-run partnership and made sure his side claim two valuable points.

Rossouw was the core aggressor of the match-winning partnership as he scored a quickfire 78 off just 42 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries and three sixes, while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 34-ball 28.

Nuwan Thusara, who provided the Gladiators with an early breakthrough, remained the only bowler to pick up a wicket for the touring side.

Put into bat first, the Sultans’ pacers dominated a star-studded Gladiators’ batting lineup and bundled them out for a mere 110 runs in the 19th over.

The Gladiators found themselves in trouble against Sultans’ bowling attack right from the start as Sameen Gul handed the home side an early breakthrough in the second over by removing Martin Guptill (7) with just 10 runs on the scoreboard.

Hard-hitting opening batter Jason Roy then put on a brief second-wicket partnership with young Abdul Wahid Bangalzai before the latter perished after scoring a mere one.

The Gladiators then began to lose wickets at an alarming rate with Ihsanullah running through their lineup with five wickets in his first three overs, and eventually ended up with the seventh-best bowling figures of PSL’s history.

The side slipped from 33/1 to 68/8 in the span of just 52 deliveries before experienced batter Mohammad Hafeez alongside Mohammad Hasnain began the recovery.

The pair added a vital 31 runs for the ninth-wicket stand before Hasnain perished in an attempt to hit back-to-back sixes. He scored 22 off 20 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and a six.

Roy, however, remained the top-scorer for the Gladiators with 27 off 18 deliveries, while Hafeez could score 18 off 15.

Ihsanullah led the bowling attack for the Sultans with 5/12, while Abbas Afridi and Sameen bagged two wickets each.

READ: Ihsanullah registers seventh-best bowling figures of PSL

Ihsanullah registers seventh-best bowling figures of PSL

MULTAN: Young pacer Ihsanullah registered himself in the record books of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the right-arm pacer returned with seventh-best bowling figures in the league’s history.

In the ongoing third match of the PSL 8 between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators, right-arm pacer Ihsanullah ran through the visitors’ batting lineup as he picked up five wickets for a mere 12 runs in his four-over spell.

Following his astounding performance, the 20-year-old pacer has now the seventh-best bowling figures in PSL history to his name.

The right-arm pacer dismissed Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in his first over for a mere two runs before removing Jason Roy (27) and in-form Iftikhar Ahmed (0) on successive deliveries in his second over.

Ihsanullah then struck twice again as he removed Umar Akmal and Naseem Shah in his third over to bag his maiden five-wicket haul in PSL.

It is pertinent to mention that at the time this story was filed the Gladiators struggled to get to 91/8 in 17 overs.

READ: Bank Islami joins Karachi Kings as Platinum partner for PSL 8

Bank Islami joins Karachi Kings as Platinum partner for PSL 8

KARACHI: Bank Islami on Wednesday joined hands with the most-followed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Karachi Kings as their platinum partner for the ongoing eighth edition of the extravaganza.

Kings’ President Wasim Akram and captain Imad Wasim signed the MOU with Bank Islami in a ceremony at a private hotel here.

The Kings squad also attended the ceremony including overseas players Matthew Wade and James Vince, while the President and CEO of Bank Islami Syed Amir Ali was also present.

Following the MOU signing, the Kings’ match jersey will feature the logo of Bank Islami for the remainder of PSL 8.

Kings President Akram addressed the star-studded ceremony and asserted that his side will make a strong comeback despite an opening defeat against Peshawar Zalmi.

“It was a very close match against Peshawar Zalmi as our side fought till the last ball. Despite the first defeat, we will come back,” said Akram.

It is pertinent to mention that the Kings will now lock horns with Islamabad United in their second fixture of the PSL 8 on Thursday.

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