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KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and elected to bat first against Karachi Kings in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.
HEAD TO HEAD
Matches 20, Peshawar Zalmi 14, Karachi Kings 6
More to follow…
KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars’ all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.
Raza was fined for a Level 1 breach of PSL’s code of conduct for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.
The incident occurred during the Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators game at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday night.
The Zimbabwe all-rounder, on three different occasions during the game, raised his arms, shook his head and gestured that the delivery should have been called a wide ball, leading to a violation of article 2.8, which deals with a player showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during a PSL game.
On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Rashid Riaz levelled the charge against Sikandar Raza while match referee Ali Naqvi imposed the fine.
Raza gave away 32 runs without a wicket in his four overs during Quetta Gladiators’ tense chase of 167 runs.
The Gladiators required 14 off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s final over with their mainstay Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper batter Laurie Evans at the crease.
They had an unwanted start to the over as Evans fell on the first delivery, courtesy of a sharp catch in the deep by Tahir Baig.
Saud then smashed Shaheen for consecutive boundaries on the third and fourth delivery but managed only a single on the penultimate delivery, leaving the Gladiators needing four from one.
Mohammad Wasim Jr then displayed nerves of steel and heaved Shaheen for a six on the final delivery to seal the victory for his side.
READ: Shane Watson believes Wasim Jr. can play Andre Russell’s role for Pakistan
Quetta Gladiators’ head coach Shane Watson heaped high praise on all-rounder Mohammad Wasim Jr, who led the Gladiators to a thrilling victory over Lahore Qalandars during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.
Wasim Jr smashed a last-ball six against Shaheen Afridi to muscle Quetta Gladiators into the PSL 9 playoffs.
The enthralling victory led Quetta Gladiators into their first PSL playoffs since winning the title in 2019.
Watson, while talking to the media after the match, appreciated Wasim for his all-round prowess and power-hitting abilities.
“We’ve been talking to Mohammad Wasim Jr since the first game about being as still as possible,” said the Gladiators head coach.
“He’s got amazing hand-eye coordination and power, so he just needs to stand still and trust that he can smash it,” he added.
Shane Watson expressed hope that Wasim can play the role of a power-hitting all-rounder for Pakistan, like West Indies’ Andre Russell.
“We’ve been talking to him about turning himself into the Pakistani Andre Russell with the skill and power he’s got with the bat,” said the former Australian all-rounder.
“We already know what he’s got with the ball, and he’s got amazing athleticism which we’ve seen in the field,” Watson concluded.
Quetta Gladiators joined Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in the final four while the Qualifier and Eliminator ties will be decided after the completion of the group stage matches.
RAWALPINDI: Islamabad United’s Naseem Shah has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 clash against Multan Sultans.
The star pacer was fined for a level 1 breach of the PSL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during Islamabad United’s final group match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Naseem had kicked the stumps after the final ball of Multan Sultans’ innings, resulting in him getting charged for violating Article 2.2 which deals with abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.
Since Naseem pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charge was imposed by on-field umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Muhammad Asif.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the same match, Multan Sultans were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate.
Multan Sultans were ruled to be one over short of their target by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who took into consideration time allowances before arriving at the decision.
As such, and in accordance with Article 2.22 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, each player was fined 10 per cent of his match fee.
Multan Sultans suffered a three-wicket defeat against Islamabad United, courtesy of Imad Wasim, who smashed a four and six in the last two balls to chase the highest total in PSL 9.
READ: Alex Carey steers Australia to whitewash New Zealand in Tests
KARACHI: Mohammad Wasim Jr smashed a last-ball six to muscle Quetta Gladiators into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 playoffs with a tense six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars here on Sunday.
The enthralling victory led Quetta Gladiators into their first PSL playoffs since winning the title in 2019.
They joined Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in the final four while the Qualifier and Eliminator ties will be decided after the completion of the group stage matches.
Chasing 167 on a tricky National Bank Cricket Arena’s surface, the Gladiators had to make hard yards to seal the all-important victory.
The 2019 champions required 14 off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s final over with their mainstay Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper batter Laurie Evans at the crease.
They had an unwanted start to the over as Evans fell on the first delivery, courtesy of a sharp catch in the deep by Tahir Baig.
Saud then smashed Shaheen for consecutive boundaries on the third and fourth delivery but managed only a single on the penultimate delivery, leaving the Gladiators needing four from one.
Mohammad Wasim Jr then displayed nerves of steel and heaved Shaheen for a six on the final delivery to seal the victory for his side.
Earlier, Jason Roy gave the Gladiators a flying start to the pursuit by hitting Shaheen for three consecutive boundaries.
But Qalandars’ bowling unit regrouped and managed to stop the flow of runs while Jahandad Khan provided them with important breakthroughs by dismissing Roy (18) and Rilee Rossouw (13) in the sixth and ninth over respectively.
Khawaja Nafay and Saud Shakeel then combined to form an anchoring partnership and kept the scoreboard ticking.
They added 70 runs for the third wicket before Nafay perished in the 18th over after scoring a frustrating 26 off 24 deliveries.
Saud Shakeel carried his bat all the way through and remained the top-scorer for the Gladiators with a well-crafted 88. His 65-ball knock featured five boundaries and four sixes.
Opting to bat first, Lahore Qalandars set a stiff target for Quetta Gladiators in their all-important PSL 9 fixture.
The defending champions had a cautious start to their innings as in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan knitted a 38-run stand with Tahir Baig before both fell victim to Abrar Ahmed in the sixth over.
Farhan scored 25 off 22 deliveries, hitting four boundaries while Baig made a scratchy 12 off 13.
Abdullah Shafique then put on a one-sided partnership with Shai Hope, who managed a mere five off seven deliveries before walking back in the 10th over with just 69 runs on the board.
Promoted himself to bat up the order, Shaheen Shah Afridi partnered strongly with Abdullah Shafique and put Lahore Qalandars in control.
The duo added a monumental partnership for the fourth wicket with both scoring half-centuries in the process.
Their partnership yielded 91 runs off 57 deliveries before Mohammad Amir struck in the final over to get rid of Shaheen.
Qalandars’ skipper smashed two boundaries and four sixes on his way to a 34-ball 55.
Meanwhile, Shafique carried his bat all the way through and top-scored for the Qalandars with an unbeaten 59. His 39-ball knock featured three boundaries and two sixes.
For the Gladiators, Abrar Ahmed bagged two wickets while Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jr made one scalp each.
It is worth mentioning here that the two-time champions and holders Lahore Qalandars are already out of the playoffs race while Quetta Gladiators need one victory out of their remaining two fixtures to seal their spot in the final four.
The Gladiators are fourth in the PSL 9 standings with nine points in eight matches while the Qalandars are at the bottom with three points in nine matches.
READ: Fakhar Zaman sustains injury in high-octane Kings-Qalandars clash
KARACHI: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury to his hand during Lahore Qalandars’ away Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 clash against arch-rivals Karachi Kings here at National Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The hard-hitting batter sustained the injury in the penultimate over of the tense run chase when he made a valiant effort and dived forward in the deep to take a potential catch of the Kings’ all-rounder Anwar Ali.
Zaman, however, failed to get his beneath the ball and it bounced off the surface before settling his hand.
He was then seen favouring his hand while Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was having a long discussion with the on-field umpire regarding the TV Umpire’s decision.
As a result, Fakhar Zaman was not available for Lahore Qalandars’ last PSL 9 fixture as they take on former champions Quetta Gladiators on Sunday.
In-form opener Sahibzada Farhan replaced him in the Qalandars’ Playing XI.
Speaking at the toss, Shaheen Afridi reflected upon his team’s dismal PSL 9 campaign and confirmed the absence of Fakhar Zaman.
“Result wise it’s very tough, as a team we fought in every game, 6-7 games were really close. Two changes, unfortunately, Fakhar got a fracture on his finger,” Shaheen Afridi said at the toss.
It is worth mentioning here that the two-time champions and holders Lahore Qalandars are already out of the playoffs race while Quetta Gladiators need one victory out of their remaining two fixtures to seal their spot in the final four.
The Gladiators are fourth in the standings with nine points in eight matches while the Qalandars are at the bottom with three points in nine matches.
KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Sunday.
PLAYING XIs
Quetta Gladiators: Jason Roy, Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Omair Bin Yousuf, Laurie Evans (wk), Akeal Hosein, Muhammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed Sohail Khan.
Lahore Qalandars: Sahibzada Farhan, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Shai Hope (wk), Shaheen Afridi (c), Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, George Linde, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, Tayyab Abbas.
HEAD TO HEAD
Matches 17, Lahore Qalandars 9, Quetta Gladiators 8
READ: Usman Khan’s ton in vain as United edge Sultans to reach PSL 9 playoffs
KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood expressed his hope to defeat Peshawar Zalmi in their final group stage match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.
Mahmood, during the post-match press conference, after Karachi Kings’ thrilling three-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars opened up about his plans for the match against Peshawar Zalmi.
“We plan according to every match and opposition. I try to bowl according to the plan and the role given to me by team management,” said Mahmood.
“We will carry the momentum from today’s victory and will defeat Peshawar Zalmi in the next match,” he added.
Karachi Kings’ batters Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Irfan Khan displayed nerves of steel and guided the Kings to an enthralling victory over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars.
The victory kept Karachi Kings in contention to make it to the playoffs as they moved just one point shy of Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United, sitting in fourth and third place respectively.
Chasing 178 on a tricky National Bank Stadium surface, the home side knocked the winning runs when Shoaib Malik slashed Zaman Khan for a boundary on the final delivery.
Talking about the match, Zahid Mahmood shared that although his team won, they will learn from their mistakes to perform better in the next game.
“We started well today but made some mistakes in the middle, resulting in the match going to the last over,” said the right-arm bowler. “But we will try not to repeat those mistakes in the next match.”
READ: Usman Khan’s century powers Multan Sultans to highest total in PSL 9
RAWALPINDI: Imad Wasim held on to his nerves after Colin Munro and Shadab Khan’s half-centuries to guide Islamabad United to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here on Sunday.
Islamabad United recorded the third-highest successful chase in PSL history as they chased a mammoth 229-run target on the last ball of the innings.
The home team had a horrible start to the chase as they lost two wickets with only four runs on the board inside two overs.
Colin Munro and captain Shadab Khan then turned the tide in United’s favour with their belligerent hitting.
They raised 141 runs for the third wicket in 64 balls, completing their respective half-centuries before Abbas Afridi broke the partnership with the wicket of Khan.
Khan went back to the pavilion after scoring 54 off 31 with the help of six boundaries and two sixes.
Munro also departed in the next over leaving Islamabad United reeling at 157-5 in 14 overs. He smashed 14 boundaries, including five sixes during his 84-run knock.
Haider Ali played a 19-run cameo before Mohammad Ali crashed his middle stump, bringing Imad Wasim to the crease.
With 48 needed off 23 balls, Wasim and Faheem Ashraf knitted a 40-run stand in 20 balls but Ashraf fell to Afridi in the last over.
Wasim finished the job with a four and six in the last two balls to chase the highest total in the ongoing PSL 9.
Ashraf scored 23 off 14, while Wasim played an unbeaten cameo of 30 runs from 13 balls with the help of four boundaries and one six.
Afridi claimed bowling figures of 3-40 and Ali bagged two wickets for Multan Sultans.
Earlier, Usman Khan’s scintillating 50-ball century helped Multan Sultans post a mammoth 228/4 in their allocated 20 overs.
Islamabad United invited Multan Sultans to bowl first, but they had to wait for 4.3 overs to get the first wicket.
Yasir Khan dominated the 44-run opening partnership with 33 off 16 which included four boundaries and two sixes, while captain Mohammad Rizwan played cautiously.
Hunain Shah broke the partnership as he rattled Yasir Khan’s off-stump.
Rizwan scored 20 runs from 17 balls with the help of two boundaries and one six before Faheem Ashraf ended his brief stay on the crease.
Usman Khan and Johnson Charles joined hands for a quick partnership of 86 runs in 44 balls for the third wicket.
Charles smashed three sixes and as many fours on his way to an 18-ball 42 but missed an uppercut to Ashraf as the ball edged to the safe hands of wicketkeeper Azam Khan.
Usman Khan continued his onslaught as he knitted a one-sided partnership of 54 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed (13).
After Iftikhar Ahmed’s departure, Khan was joined by Chris Jordan (15) and together they scored 30 runs in the last 14 balls to see their team finish at the record total in their allocated 20 overs.
Khan hit a total of 18 boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 100 runs, which also included three sixes.
For Islamabad United, Ashraf led the bowling with figures of 2-32 in his three overs, while Hunain Shah and Naseem Shah bagged one wicket each.
RAWALPINDI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to field against Multan Sultans in the 27th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here on Sunday.
Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Yasir Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali.
Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hunain Shah, Naseem Shah, Tymal Mills.
Matches 14, Islamabad United 6, Multan Sultans 8
