Tag: PSL 8

Babar Azam eyes to do ‘something new’ with the bat in PSL 8

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who is set to represent former champions Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight has his sights set on trying something new with the bat in this year’s marquee league.

While talking to a press conference here ahead of their anticipated clash against hosts Karachi Kings, Babar revealed that the right-handed batter did some experiments with his batting style amid practice and is determined to execute them in the PSL season 8.

“I’m trying something new in batting. I have done some experiments in practice and will try to replicate them in the upcoming matches,” said Babar.

Zalmi’s newly appointed captain Babar, who was previously linked with the Kings, is excited to play against his former PSL franchise, stating that playing against each other is a different kind of fun.

“We [Zalmi] have a match against Karachi Kings, who have a very strong bowling attack. I was associated with Karachi Kings as a family for six years but playing against each other is a different kind of fun,” said Babar.

“This is my first year with the Zalmi so my goal is to win,” he added.

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar further commented on the lineups of all PSL teams, stating that all sides look solid on paper while also sharing that he will be reviewing the performances of the players.

“The PSL 8 is starting today so I would like to say best of luck to all the teams. I think, on paper, all sides look really good,” Babar shared.

“I will also be reviewing the performance of some players,” he concluded.

The eighth edition of Pakistan’s marquee league is all set to kick off with a grand opening ceremony today in Multan followed by the inaugural match between defending champion Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Babar-led Zalmi, on the other hand, will play their first game against home side Kings on February 15 in Multan.

READ: PSL 8: Hafeez to replace injured Ahsan Ali in Quetta Gladiators’ squad 

PSL 8: Hafeez to replace injured Ahsan Ali in Quetta Gladiators’ squad

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will play for Quetta Gladiators in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League in place of injured Ahsan Ali. 

According to the sources, Hafeez will join the Gladiator’s squad in the coming few days after opener Ahsan picked up a knee injury.

The right-handed batter, who represented Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars in the earlier editions of the PSL, went unpicked in the drafts for PSL 8.

The 42-year-old amassed 1596 runs and scored nine fifties in PSL at an average of 27.51.

The eighth edition of Pakistan’s marquee league is all set to kick off with a grand opening ceremony today in Multan followed by the inaugural match between defending champion Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Quetta Gladiators, on the other hand, will play their first game against Multan Sultans on February 15 in Multan.

READ: President Wasim Akram joins Karachi Kings camp for PSL 8

Karachi Kings race up preparations as PSL 8 looms

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: The most-followed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Karachi Kings raised up preparations for the upcoming eighth edition of the marquee league as they hold their first training session under sunlight.

According to the details, the Kings, which continued to assemble with the arrival of their roped-in foreign players, held a rigorous training session at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Sunday.

 

Former English cricketer Ravi Bopara, who represented Kings in the inaugural edition of the PSL, started his maiden stint as the franchise’s batting coach in the training session.

Meanwhile, veteran middle-order batter Shoaib Malik did not participate in the training session, while Australia’s wicketkeeper batter Matthew Wade has joined the Kings’ squad hours after his arrival in the country.

Furthermore, the sixth-ranked T20I bowler – South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi – has also checked in here on Sunday afternoon and is likely to join the squad in due course.

Taking to Twitter, the Kings announced the arrival of the South African spin sensation as the former champions “are assembling”.

“We are assembling! Tabraiz Shamsi arrives in Karachi,” wrote Kings.

 

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will kick off on February 13 in Multan with a grand opening ceremony followed by the curtain-raiser between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

The Kings, on the other hand, will play their first match on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: ‘Doors are open for Amir,’ says Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed

Karachi Kings’ Matthew Wade reaches Pakistan for PSL 8

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Australian wicketkeeper batter Matthew Wade, who is set to represent Karachi Kings in the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has landed in the country for the marquee event.

Foreign players continued to arrive in Pakistan in a bid to play for their respective franchises with the much anticipated PSL 8 just around the corner.

Meanwhile, Australian wicketkeeper batter Wade landed at Jinnah International Airport here on Sunday morning and will represent the 2020 PSL champions Kings in the upcoming edition of the league.

Taking to Twitter, the most-followed franchise of PSL Karachi Kings, shared a picture of Wade’s arrival in the city.

“Good Morning Karachi from Matthew Wade. He’s here! Let’s welcome him!” wrote Kings.

 

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will kick off on February 13 in Multan with a grand ceremony followed by the opening match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Karachi Kings, on the other hand, will play their first match on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: PSL 8 official anthem ‘Sab Sitaray Humaray’ released 

PSL 8 official anthem ‘Sab Sitaray Humaray’ released

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the official anthem “Sab Sitaray Humaray” for the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), scheduled to commence on February 13.

According to details, the official anthem – composed by musician Abdullah Siddiqui – features Shae Gill, Asim Azhar, and rapper Faris Shafi.

Last year, the PSL 2022 anthem ‘Agay Dekh’ was sung by Atif Aslam, Aima Baig, and Abdullah Siddiqui.

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will kick off on February 13 in Multan with a grand ceremony followed by the opening match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Karachi Kings, on the other hand, will play their first match on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

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.

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.

READ: ‘Special feeling’ says Sana on T20 World Cup debut against India

Andrew Tye, coach Bopara join Karachi Kings camp as PSL 8 looms  

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: Australian fast bowler Andrew Tye reached Karachi on Saturday to join the Karachi Kings squad for the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League, starting from February 13.

England’s Ravi Bopara, who played for Karachi Kings in the earlier seasons of the PSL, also arrived in the city today to take up his new role in the team as assistant batting coach.

“Excited to be back here in Pakistan and I am very excited to be part of Karachi Kings’ camp,” said Bopara in a video message shared by Karachi Kings on Twitter after his arrival.


Earlier, Bopara’s compatriot Tom Kohler-Cadmore landed in Karachi as well and joined the Peshawar Zalmi team.

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will kick off on February 13 in Multan with a grand ceremony followed by the opening match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Karachi Kings, on the other hand, will play their first match on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: Spinners shine as India crush Australia by an innings

Botha expects Haider Ali to be game changer for Karachi Kings in PSL 8

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Karachi Kings head coach Johan Botha has expressed his faith in young batter Haider Ali to become a game-changer for  his side  in the upcoming Pakistan Super League season 8

Haider, the latest addition to the Karachi Kings’ squad, is one of the most promising talents in the PSL and has already proved his mettle in the earlier seasons playing for Peshawar Zalmi.

“I think our biggest player and the player we probably need to get the most out of is [Haider] Ali,” he told PCB digital on Saturday.

“When he was with [Peshawar] Zalmi in the first couple of years, he was excellent. I thought this guy could be one of the best T20 players in the world.”

Botha disclosed that the Karachi Kings’ management was trying to get the most out of the 22-year-old’s enormous potential and refine his abilities”

“Hopefully, we can get the best out of Haider Ali and if he has a really good tournament, we’ll be good as a team. He is dangerous as a player and can take the game away from the opposition. The management is looking to get the best out of him.” he said

Talking about the Karachi Kings’ road map to ace the upcoming PSL edition, Botha argued that the team would first try to gain momentum through home matches.

“We’ve got to try and start well in Karachi. That is obviously a bit of an advantage, I would say, to play at home. First up, you want to start well at home.” he said.

“I suppose the crowds will be full again as the Covid pandemic is over. We have to make the most of starting at home, starting well and get some early momentum. That is what you want to do in a tournament like this. You need to get momentum early.”

“I hope that with the international players we’ve picked, plus having retained eight local players, we have got a strong enough squad to start well, then keep that momentum and get us into the playoffs. And that will put us two or three games away from winning a tournament.”

Moreover, Karachi Kings’ head coach claimed that his side had the best experienced T20 players and seasoned power hitters in the squad who could steer the team back on a winning track.

“We have a really experienced squad. We have probably gone for the most experience in this game that I’ve seen, and we’ve got to bank on that. We have to hope that those guys perform for us on the big stage and can get this team back to winning ways.” he maintained

“We can fire at the top with the bat. In a tournament like this, your top six have to fire, get the runs, and get it quick enough or you are always going to struggle.”

It is pertinent to mention here that PSL season 8 will kick off on February 13 in Multan with a grand ceremony followed by the opening match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.

Karachi Kings, on the other hand, will play their first match on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

 

Karachi Kings sign Mughal Steel as Strength partner for PSL 8

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: The most followed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Karachi Kings have signed Mughal Steel as a Strength partner for the eighth edition of the marquee league. 

Taking to Twitter, Kings welcomed their strength partner for PSL 8 and shared photos of the contract signing ceremony with CEO Mughal Steel Mr Khurram Mughal held on Friday.

With PSL 8 now just three days away, Karachi Kings’ stars are gearing up for yet another exciting season and kicked off their preparations on Thursday at National Bank Cricket Arena.

It is pertinent to mention here that the upcoming edition of PSL will be played across four venues from 13 February to 19 March. The Multan and Karachi-leg matches will be held from 13-26 February, before action shifts to Lahore and Rawalpindi where 20 matches will be played from 26 February to 19 March.

Karachi Kings will play their first game on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at their home venue.

READ: Babar eyes World Cup glory this year with ‘step-by-step’ mindset

 

 

Babar will play the role, Peshawar Zalmi want: Inzamam

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi’s honorary President Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed his complete faith in the new skipper, Babar Azam, saying he will definitely fulfil the role which is required by the team.

Babar, who is the latest edition to the Peshawar Zalmi squad, will lead the side in the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League, starting from February 13.

“With each passing Babar’s performance is getting better and better,” said Inzamam while speaking to the media during Peshawar Zalmi’s practice session, here on Friday.

“Every player no matter how great he is has his own weak links and sometimes these minor flaws remain intact throughout his career” he added.

Inzamam, however, heaped praises on Babar for his solid batting roots and termed him the best batter in every format.

“He fits in the role that we want, that is why he is picked by the Peshawar Zalmi,” he maintained.

Pakistan’s all-format skipper and Peshawar Zalmi’s incumbent captain, is the highest run-getter in the PSL with 2413 runs in 38 matches, averaging a whopping 42.33.

It is pertinent to mention PSL season 8 will kick off in Multan with a grand opening ceremony match followed by the inaugural match between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and 2021 champions Multan Sultans.

Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, will play their first game on February 14 against Imad Wasim-led Karachi Kings at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s alleged ‘ball tampering’ video sparks controversy

Karachi Kings’ squad kick off preparations for PSL season 8

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: With the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League now just three days away, Karachi Kings gear up for yet another exciting season as they held their first training session on Thursday. 

Players stretched their arms before indulging in rigorous batting, fielding and bowling drills at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket under the watch of head coach Johan Botha and assistant coach Michael Smith.

Australia’s Ben Cutting, who arrived earlier on the same day, also participated in the first training session of the team alongside captain Imad Wasim and other local players of the Karachi Kings’ squad.

Earlier, Karachi Kings also revealed their training kit for the PSL season 8 through Twitter.

During the session, multi-talented skipper, Imad, was also seen showcasing his skills with a football, a glimpse of which was also shared by the Karachi King’s social media.

It is pertinent to mention here that the upcoming edition of PSL will be played across four venues from 13 February to 19 March. The Multan and Karachi-leg matches will be held from 13-26 February, before action shifts to Lahore and Rawalpindi where 20 matches will be played from 26 February to 19 March.

Karachi Kings, on the other hand, will play their first game on February 14 against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

READ: England coach McCullum plots to topple his native New Zealand