Tag: PSL 9

RAWALPINDI: The heavy rain in the city continued to play spoilsport as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United was washed out here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

As a result, both Gladiators and United shared a point each.

The 2019 champions solidified their grip on the second spot in the standings with nine points in six matches, just one shy of leaders Multan Sultans while the United remained fourth with five points in as many matches.

Quetta Gladiators next face Karachi Kings at the same venue on Wednesday while Islamabad United will lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi on Monday.

Earlier today, the persistent rain in the city washed out the first match between Lahore Qalandars and Zalmi as well.

Due to the constant downpours, the toss was delayed initially as covers were placed on the ground.

The rain stopped briefly, prompting efforts from the groundsmen to dry the ground, but the rain returned, ultimately leading to umpires deciding that no play could be possible.

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Lahore Qalandars gained their first point in the ongoing PSL 9 as they were awarded one point along with Peshawar Zalmi after their match was called off.

Notably, Lahore Qalandars, who are defending champions of the PSL, are currently lying at the bottom of the points table after suffering six consecutive losses.

They next face two-time champions United in an away clash in Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi are sitting in third position with seven points.

READ: Karachi Kings’ Hasan Ali confident of defeating Multan Sultans

RAWALPINDI: The persistent rain in the city washed out the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 clash between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Due to the constant downpours, the toss was delayed initially as covers were placed on the ground.

The rain stopped briefly, prompting efforts from the groundsmen to dry the ground, but the rain returned, ultimately leading to umpires deciding that no play could be possible.

Meanwhile, the rain may also play spoilsport during the second match of the day, which is scheduled between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United at the same venue.

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Lahore Qalandars gained their first point in the ongoing PSL 9 as they were awarded one point along with Peshawar Zalmi after their match was called off.

Notably, Lahore Qalandars, who are defending champions of the PSL, are currently lying at the bottom of the points table after suffering six consecutive losses.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi are sitting in third position with seven points.

READ: Karachi Kings’ Hasan Ali confident of defeating Multan Sultans

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ fast bowler Hasan Ali is optimistic about his side making a comeback in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 with a victory over Multan Sultans tomorrow.

Hasan Ali, while talking to the media during the Karachi Kings’ practice session, reflected on his team’s performance in the tournament.

“We played good cricket overall. Although we lost two matches, those were close matches and it is positive that we fought hard in those games,” said the fast bowler.

“Multan Sultans is a good team and they are on the top of the table. But, our team is motivated and we are looking forward to defeating them tomorrow,” he added.

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Hasan Ali also shared an update about the players who fell ill due to viral infection.

“Unfortunately, some of our players were unwell due to the viral infection, but the good news is that they are all fine now,” he stated.

The seasoned pace bowler also opened up about his personal goals and his desire to make a return to Pakistan’s T20I team.

“I want to represent Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup. This is an important tournament for me,” Hasan Ali said. “I want to get the selector’s attention with my performance in this tournament and make a return to the national T20I team.”

READ: Rachin Ravindra’s half-century keeps New Zealand in the hunt against Australia

KARACHI: Home side Karachi Kings’ wicketkeeper batter Tim Seifert on Thursday, asserted that the team is confident and is focused on finishing the group stage of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 in the top four.

Seifert addressed the post-match press conference after Karachi Kings’ narrow five-wicket defeat against Quetta Gladiators and stated that winning or losing is part of the game but his team’s prime goal is the top-four finish.

“In this tournament, we had some close games. And obviously, we get a bit of a break now, a few trainings which would be good for the lads. But looking at the table, we are still very much in the tournament,” said Seifert.

“And that is cricket, [especially] T20 cricket, sometimes it does come down to the last ball and there has to be a winner or a loser. So, unfortunately, we are on the wrong side.

“But boys are still very confident and we’re still in the running to make the top four which is the main thing.”

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Tim Seifert further praised Sherfane Rutherford’s brilliance with the bat which lifted the Gladiators to snatch a narrow victory from the Kings but at the same time acknowledged that the Kings’ bowlers made a few mistakes in execution.

“They hit the ball very cleanly but I think at the same time we probably didn’t quite execute to them. Potentially gave them too many balls that they could hit for a six.

“And, you know close games like that, it does come down to one ball. I think, yeah, it was one of those games, where we were on top and then they came back.

“But, obviously, you take the hat off, they hit the ball very cleanly.”

Tim Seifert further opened up about the different conditions but asserted that he now has a good understanding of the wickets and foresees a big score for Karachi Kings in the coming matches.

“Yeah, a bit different from back home in New Zealand, the wickets. But, I’ve played enough around the world like India and CPL [West Indies] which have similar conditions.

“But yeah, it always takes a little bit of time to adjust and now two games here for myself. So, now I have a good understanding of the wickets and hopefully going forward I can put up a big score on the board.

READ: Quetta Gladiators edge Karachi Kings in last-ball HBL PSL 9 thriller

KARACHI: Sherfane Rutherford displayed nerves of steel and steered Quetta Gladiators to a narrow victory over Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing 166, the Gladiators completed a tense pursuit on the final delivery when Rutherford struck Anwar Ali for a boundary at deep fine leg.

Earlier, Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy gave the Gladiators a solid start to the pursuit.

The opening stand yielded 57 runs and lasted on the last delivery of the batting powerplay when Hasan Ali got Saud caught at deep square leg. Saud scored an anchoring 24 off 20 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.

Gladiators’ mainstay Roy then stitched brief partnerships with Khawaja Nafay (2) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) before finally perishing in the 12th over, briefly after amassing his half-century.

Roy remained a notable contributor for the Gladiators in yet another PSL 9 fixture, scoring 52 off 31 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and four sixes.

The Gladiators then succumbed to further trouble when their skipper Rilee Rossouw perished in the next over after scoring a mere six.

Following the slump, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford joined forces to produce a scintillating partnership and snatched a narrow victory for their side.

The pair batted sensibly and added an unbeaten 80 runs for the sixth wicket.

But the match-winning stand was majorly dominated by Rutherford, who top-scored for the Gladiators with a 31-ball 58, hitting one four and six sixes.

Hosein, however, made an important contribution with his 22 not out from 17 deliveries. His gutsy knock featured one boundary and a six.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali and Zahid Mahmood bagged two wickets each while Shoaib Malik picked one.

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Put into bat first, the Kings got off to an unwanted start to their innings as they lost their captain Shan Masood (0) in the first over, bowled by Akeal Hosein.

But, their vice-captain James Vince partnered strongly with Tim Seifert and launched a counterattack.

The duo added a brisk 59-run stand and took Kings to 61/1 at the conclusion of the batting powerplay.

But Usman Tariq turned the game on its head in his first over by removing both set batters.

Seifert scored 21 off 11 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and a six while Vince top-scored for the Kings with a 25-ball 37 which featured eight boundaries.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, Mohammad Nawaz joined experienced Shoaib Malik in the middle and knitted a crucial partnership.

The pair added 39 runs for the fourth wicket until Abrar Ahmed dismissed Malik in the 13th over. He scored 12 off 20 deliveries.

Mohammad Nawaz, who dominated the fourth-wicket partnership with a brisk 28 fell in the next over. His 19-ball knock featured four boundaries.

Nawaz’s dismissal sparked a lower middle-order collapse as the Kings lost three more wickets — Kieron Pollard (13), Hasan Ali (2) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (15) — in quick succession and consequently slipped to 138/8 in 17.2 overs.

Veteran all-rounder Anwar Ali, however, offered late fireworks with an unbeaten cameo and bolstered Karachi Kings’ total to 165/8 in the allotted overs.

He smashed one four and two sixes on his way to a 14-ball 25.

Abrar Ahmed led the bowling attack for Quetta Gladiators with 3/31, followed by Akeal Hosein and Usman Tariq, who bagged two each. Pacer Sohail Khan, on the other hand, made one scalp.

The five-wicket victory solidified Quetta Gladiators’ command at the second spot in the PSL 9 standings with eight points in five matches while Karachi Kings remained at fifth with four points in as many matches.

READ: Hasan Ali becomes the second bowler to take 100 PSL wickets

KARACHI: Sherfane Rutherford displayed nerves of steel and steered Quetta Gladiators to a narrow victory over Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

QG 169/5 (20 Overs)

Anwar Ali to bowl the final over

QG 151/5 (19 Overs)

Hasan bowls the penultimate over

QG 141/5 (18 Overs)

Muzarabani bowls his last

QG 132/5 (17 Overs)

Hasan replaces Muzarabani

QG 122/5 (16 Overs)

Malik bowls his third

QG 110/5 (15 Overs)

Muzarabani comes back

QG 100/5 (14 Overs)

Malik continues

QG 95/5 (13 Overs)

12.1: Wrong’un fuller outside off, plenty of flight on offer, takes the bait and pulled away in the air, didn’t get all of it, Niazi at deep midwicket tracks the ball to perfection.

Zahid again

QG 89/4 (12 Overs)

11.5: Tossed up on off stump, looks to big down the ground, miscues the skier and Shoaib Malik takes an easy catch running to his right

Shoaib Malik comes into the attack

QG 87/3 (11 Overs)

Zahid continues

QG 83/3 (10 Overs)

9.4: It was another steamy bumper that strangled Sarfaraz on the leg, ruffled by the searing pace and bounce, and he gloved it behind.

Hasan brought back

QG 73/2 (9 Overs)

8.2: Zahid tossed fuller just outside off, Nafay got down on one knee for a wallop and got more elevation but just not enough distance and Irfan takes a good catch.

Zahid continues

QG 69/1 (8 Overs)

Nawaz replaces Hasan

QG 60/1 (7 Overs)

Zahid Mehmood comes on

QG 57/1 (6 Overs)

Hasan Ali comes into the attack

QG 48/0 (5 Overs)

Anwar Ali comes on

QG 38/0 (4 Overs)

Muzarabani continues

QG 34/0 (3 Overs)

Nawaz continues

QG 14/0 (2 Overs)

Blessing Muzarabani bowls from the other end

QG 7/0 (1 Over)

Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel come out to open the innings for the Gladiators. Mohammad Nawaz to bowl the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs QUETTA GLADIATORS (2nd INNINGS)

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ spinners shared seven wickets between them and halted Karachi Kings to 165/8 in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

KK 165/8 (20 Overs)

Wasim Jr bowls the final over

KK 145/8 (19 Overs)

Sohail bowls the penultimate over

KK 142/8 (18 Overs)

17.2: Wasim Jr hammers it on a length and it’s veering at middle and leg, Irfan chipped in the air and it goes straight to Jason Roy at long-on.

Wasim Jr comes back into the attack

KK 137/7 (17 Overs)

16.3: Abrar bowls a fuller loopy delivery and Hasan sliced it in the air which was calmly taken by Hosein at point.

16.1: Good length and fractionally spun away from middle, Pollard stepped to the leg side and was looking to heave him over midwicket but missed the line and the ball hit the top of the middle.

Abrar comes for his last

KK 134/5 (16 Overs)

Hosein bowls his last

KK 120/5 (15 Overs)

Usman bowls his last

KK 114/5 (14 Overs)

Hosein comes back

KK 111/4 (13 Overs)

12.2: Abrar lures him with a loopy delivery! Malik prances down the track and tries to change gears, slugged in the air and pouched safely by Jason Roy at long-off.

Abrar replaces Usman

KK 103/3 (12 Overs)

Sohail Khan returns

KK 93/3 (11 Overs)

Usman again

KK 91/3 (10 Overs)

Wasim Jr replaces Abrar

KK 76/3 (9 Overs)

Usman continues

KK 71/3 (8 Overs)

Abrar replaces Wasim Jr

KK 64/3 (7 Overs)

6.6: Tossed up on middle with some drift and Vince fails to flick it away. The ball hits him plumb in front.

6.1: Over the wicket, tossed up right up to the pads on middle. Prolonged appeal for an lbw and umpire took his time before raising the dreaded finger.

More spin as Usman Tariq comes on

KK 61/1 (6 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr comes into the attack

KK 53/1 (5 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed comes on

KK 40/1 (4 Overs)

Sohail continues

KK 25/1 (3 Overs)

Hosein continues

KK 11/1 (2 Overs)

Sohail Khan bowls from the other end

KK 3/1 (1 Over)

0.3: Lands it on a fuller length and gets a hint of wobble from the middle. Shan Masood stepped away to the on side and was looking to drive it on the up, bamboozled by the late movement and decent bounce.

Shan Masood and James Vince come out to open the innings for Karachi Kings. Akeal Hosein bowls the first over.

KARACHI KINGS vs QUETTA GLADIATORS (1st INNINGS)

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel, Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, Quetta Gladiators 11, Karachi Kings 5

READ: Openers propel Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings in PSL 9

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and opted to field first against Karachi Kings in the 16th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert, James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Blessing Muzarabani.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel, Jason Roy, Khawaja Nafay, Rilee Rossouw (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohail Khan, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, Quetta Gladiators 11, Karachi Kings 5

READ: Openers propel Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings in PSL 9

Karachi Kings’ pace bowler Hasan Ali became the second bowler to claim 100 wickets in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The right-handed pacer achieved the historic feat when he dismissed Alex Hales during his side’s clash against Islamabad United in the ongoing PSL season 9.

Prior to him, Peshawar Zalmi’s Wahab Riaz was the first player to breach the 100-wicket mark in the PSL history. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in the league’s history with 113 wickets.

Hasan Ali is closing on the record for the most wickets in PSL history, followed by Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi, who has taken 98 wickets so far.

For the unversed, Hasan Ali joined Karachi Kings ahead of the PSL 9 Draft courtesy of the trade deal with Islamabad United, involving Imad Wasim.

Karachi Kings will face Quetta Gladiators tonight in their fifth match in the ongoing PSL 9 after losing to Islamabad United yesterday.

Islamabad United’s Colin Munro scored a quickfire 82 after a combined bowling effort to lead their team to a seven-wicket victory over Karachi Kings at National Bank Stadium.

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Chasing 166, openers Munro and Alex Hales gave United a flying start to the pursuit with a century-plus partnership.

The left-handed batter dominated the match-defining stand while Hales played an anchoring knock which lasted in the 12th over, bowled by Hasan Ali.

Hales struck seven boundaries on his way to a 35-ball 47.

Meanwhile, Colin Munro stood his ground firm and carried his bat till the 15th over before falling victim to Mohammad Nawaz.

He remained the top-scorer for the United with a 47-ball 82 with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes.

The United then lost another wicket in the pursuit when Tabraiz Shamsi struck in the next over to send Imad Wasim (0) back.

The back-to-back dismissals halted the flow of runs for the United but skipper Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha batted sensibly amid their unbeaten 30-run partnership and steered the two-time champions to an important victory.

Shadab scored a cautious 10 off 11 deliveries while Agha made a 17-ball 25 with the help of two sixes.

READ: “There is a lot of talent in Pakistan,” says Leus du Plooy

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ top-order batter Leus du Plooy praised the local talent in Pakistan after his side’s PSL 9 clash against Islamabad United yesterday.

While talking to the media after the match, Du Plooy shed light on his experience of playing in the PSL for the first time.

“It is my first time here but Mickey Arthur told me a lot about PSL. It is an unbelievable experience to be part of it and I rate this league very highly,” expressed Du Plooy.

“I faced some of the net bowlers and I am amazed to see the local talent here,” he added.

Du Plooy also acknowledged the mistakes during his side’s loss against Islamabad United and appreciated Colin Munro for his knock.

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“In Karachi, it is easier to play in the powerplay and then the pitch gets tougher in the middle overs, but we could not take advantage of the conditions.

“They [Islamabad United] played well in the powerplay in both innings, especially [Colin] Munro, he played exceptionally.

He also appreciated the leadership skills of Karachi Kings’ captain Shan Masood, with whom he knitted a 40-run stand for the second wicket.

“Shan Masood is a great leader and I enjoyed batting with him.”

Karachi Kings will face Quetta Gladiators today in their fifth match in the ongoing PSL 9.

READ: Mark Adair wickets give Ireland edge against Afghanistan in one-off Test

KARACHI: Colin Munro’s quickfire 82 after a combined bowling effort led Islamabad United to beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing 166, openers Munro and Alex Hales gave United a flying start to the pursuit with a century-plus partnership.

The left-handed batter dominated the match-defining stand while Hales played an anchoring knock which lasted in the 12th over, bowled by Hasan Ali.

Hales struck seven boundaries on his way to a 35-ball 47.

Meanwhile, Colin Munro stood his ground firm and carried his bat till the 15th over before falling victim to Mohammad Nawaz.

He remained the top-scorer for the United with a 47-ball 82 with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes.

The United then lost another wicket in the pursuit when Tabraiz Shamsi struck in the next over to send Imad Wasim (0) back.

The back-to-back dismissals halted the flow of runs for the United but skipper Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha batted sensibly amid their unbeaten 30-run partnership and steered the two-time champions to an important victory.

Shadab scored a cautious 10 off 11 deliveries while Agha made a 17-ball 25 with the help of two sixes.

For the Kings, Nawaz, Shamsi and Hasan struck out a batter apiece.

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Put into bat first, the Kings registered 165/5 on the board, courtesy of an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership between Pollard and Irfan.

The hosts had an unwanted start to their innings as Imad Wasim dismissed Tim Seifert (8) in the third over with just 17 runs on the board.

Following the early debacle, skipper Shan Masood was joined by Leus du Plooy and the pair briefly bolstered the total.

They added a brisk 40 runs in just five overs before Salman Ali Agha cleaned up du Plooy in the eighth over. He scored 24 off just 15 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.

Kings’ captain Masood attempted to anchor the innings before falling victim to Hunain Shah in the 10th over after scoring 27 off 30 deliveries, laced up with three boundaries.

The Kings then lost two more wickets in quick succession with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz, six each, perishing cheaply and bringing the hosts down to 89/5 in 13.1 overs.

With half of the batters back into the dugout, Kieron Pollard joined forces with Mohammad Irfan Khan and put together a gutsy partnership.

Their unbeaten stand yielded 76 runs and lifted Karachi Kings to breach the 160-run barrier.

Pollard, the core aggressor of the sixth-wicket stand, top-scored for the Kings with an unbeaten 28-ball 48 which featured two boundaries and a six.

Irfan, on the other hand, played a supportive role with 27 not out off 22 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.

For the United, Imad, Naseem Shah, Agha and Hunain Shah made one scalp each.

READ: Mohammad Amir denies rift with Babar Azam