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Tag: Multan Sultans

  • ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter and captain of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans has turned to his social media after winning five out of five matches in the Karachi leg of PSL 7. He has also thanked all team members and the management of the franchise for their contribution to the victorious start.

    “Alhumdulillah 5/5. A remarkable start in Khi by @MultanSultans in @thePSLt20. Each member of this team is a match-winner. Grateful to entire management, coaching staff & owners for the trust, support and freedom to operate,” he said in a tweet.

    He also promised to repeat the winning streak in Lahore as well. He added: “One game at a time, Champs!”

    While in a later tweet, Rizwan thanked his fans and requested them to remember Sultans in their prayers.

    Sultans crushed Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday with a 57-run victory. Zalmi didn’t have a good beginning to the mammoth 223 run-chase.

    Multan was given a solid opening start of 85 runs from Shan Masood and Rizwan, which provided a solid foundation for a huge total. Afterwards, it was Tim David’s blistering innings that stole the show.

    Rizwan bagged the Player of the Match award for his prolific 82-run inning.

    For Sultans, Imran Tahir and Shahnawaz Dahani were able to take three wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani and Abbas Afridi took a wicket each.

  • PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams will be arriving in Lahore today for the second leg of the tournament. The teams will be arriving in Lahore through chartered flights in two phases on Monday and Tuesday.

    As per reports, the teams that will be arriving today are Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

    The remaining teams — Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings — will reach Lahore on February 8.

    The teams will practice in High-performance Centre and LCCA grounds. The Lahore leg will start on February 10 with the final to be played in the Gaddafi Stadium on February 27.

    It should be noted that the last match of the Karachi leg will be played today between Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars. English cricketer Jason Roy will join the Gladiators today.

    The match between Gladiators and Qalandars will be played at the National Stadium Karachi. Both the teams have played four matches each from which Lahore has won three and Quetta has managed to win only one match.

  • PSL ‘not far off the IPL’ in terms of quality of cricket, says Michael Vaughan

    PSL ‘not far off the IPL’ in terms of quality of cricket, says Michael Vaughan

    Pakistan is hosting the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the excitement on social media is something that cannot be missed. Former English captain Michael Vaughan is quite impressed with the PSL and has said that it is the second-best league in the world after the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    “Pakistan Super league is the 2nd best T20 Tournament in the World .. it’s not far off the IPL either .. Outstanding standard of cricket,” Vaughan wrote on Twitter.

    Multan Sultans posted 217 runs, the highest total of PSL history on Tuesday and Shadab Khan’s fighting 91 off 42 balls went in vain for Islamabad United, as Sultans maintained their perfect start to the season by clinching a high-scoring match by 20 runs in Karachi.

    Shadab’s high-octane innings, in which he cracked five fours and nine sixes, tried to keep his side floating in the massive chase but the Sherus kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

    Earlier, Tim David and Rilee Rossouw set Sultans up for a huge total by adding 110 for the fourth wicket in less than eight overs. David hammered 71 from only 29 balls on his way to smashing six fours and sixes each, while Rossouw hit an unbeaten 67 off 35 deliveries with four fours and six maximums.

    PSL and IPL are two of the biggest cricket leagues in the world with big names playing in the leagues. The quality of cricket that is played is also something to look out for.

  • Is Shahnawaz Dahani ‘overrated’? Divided battle rages on Twitter

    Is Shahnawaz Dahani ‘overrated’? Divided battle rages on Twitter

    Young pacer from Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans Shahnawaz Dahani on Monday failed to impress fans with his bowling figures and the recent spanking in the match against Quetta Gladiators pushed him in hot waters as Pakistani Twitter is discussing if Dahani is overrated.

    Dahani was less accurate in the penultimate over and fortunate not to see more slot balls dispatched, leaking 15 in his six deliveries. While he conceaded 33 runs in his two overs.

    We have collected some reactions of the Twitterati, where they are discussing that if the young pacer needs to improve his game while some are suggesting to give him another chance. Have a look:

    David Willey’s last over wickets and Shan Masood’s 88-run knock sealed the deal for the Sultans. The Gladiators were smelling victory in the last over as they needed eight runs from six balls, but Willey did not let them get the better of the Sultans at the National Stadium.

    Willey dismissed two players, Sohail Tanvir (13) and Naseem Shah (1) to take Sultans to a 6-run victory, as Gladiators were all-out at 168, with a ball remaining.

    Khushdil Shah, Willey, and Imran Tahir picked up three wickets.

    Earlier, in the match against Lahore Qalandars, the pacer from Larkana had conceaded 44 runs in his 4 overs, taking only one wicket.

  • Shahid Afridi to miss the first few matches of PSL 7 due to back injury

    Shahid Afridi to miss the first few matches of PSL 7 due to back injury

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who is repsenting Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators this season, is expected to miss the first few matches of the highly-anticipated league, starting tomorrow.

    The veteran power-hitter Afridi sustained a back injury in a practice session on Tuesday. He was also not part of the training session of Quetta Gladiators. Afridi was hopeful of being fit in time for season seven but he is not 100 percent fit yet.

    As per Geo Super, Afridi requested Quetta to excuse him from the bio-secure bubble. Along with the back pain, a relative of Afridi’s wife has passed away so the cricketer has to attend to personal matters as well.

    Sarfaraz Ahmed, who will be leading Quetta, said they will use their marquee player judiciously and make sure he doesn’t aggravate his injury.

    Afridi was unavailable for the UAE-leg of the PSL 6 because of back injury while representing Multan Sultans.

    The T20 bigwig has piled up 4,395 runs in 326 matches and has maintained a stupendous strike rate of 154.21. He has shed 344 wickets in the shortest format.

    The top-flight bowling all-rounder Afridi alongside England stylish batter James Vince will play for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2022 edition.

    Afridi played four matches for Sultans in last year’s edition that was played in Karachi and UAE. The veteran shed two wickets and made three runs.

  • Babar, Rizwan face-off: Both ready to face each other in first PSL 7 match

    Babar, Rizwan face-off: Both ready to face each other in first PSL 7 match

    The stage is set for the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) to begin on January 27 at the National Stadium in Karachi with defending champions Multan Sultans facing off 2020 champions Karachi Kings following a curtain-raiser opening ceremony.

    Babar Azam, who made the record for most T20I wins as captain in a calendar year with 20 in 2021, will lead Karachi Kings. Mohammad Rizwan, first-ever batter to score more than 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year, will lead Multan Sultans.

    Babar in a statement issued by PSL, said: “I am very excited to be leading Karachi Kings this season. This is the first instance that I will be captaining a side in the HBL PSL and I am looking forward to it.

    “The first match of the tournament always has a lot of eyeballs and Multan Sultans can prove to be a tough opposition. I am sure the fans will get to see a thrilling contest.

    “Peter Moores is a seasoned coach and I have had fruitful discussions with him. Karachi Kings will display good, competitive cricket this season.”

    While Rizwan said: “We have all the potential to defend our HBL PSL title and we will be taking the field tomorrow with that mind set. This season will present us new challenges and we will have to plan accordingly.

    “Babar Azam is a wonderful batter and captain, and his leadership will certainly have a good impact on Karachi Kings. I am hopeful that the HBL PSL 7 will kick off with a great contest between the two sides.”

  • Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    The seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to kick off from January 27 and skipper of PSL franchise Multan Sultans, Mohammad Rizwan, has said that he will miss the “fighter” all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

    The phenomenal all-rounder moved to Quetta Gladiators for the PSL 7, which would be his last tournament.

    Rizwan, while speaking to Cricket Pakistan, said that the global superstar’s absence will always be felt.

    “Last year he also got injured and we missed him dearly then as well,” Rizwan said. “He is a superstar of the country and his absence is always going to be felt. I talk to him time and time again as he makes things easier.”

    The wicket-keeper-batter, who was named the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, also recalled the time that he spent with Afridi on the pitch.

    He said that Shahid is a fighter and he plays with passion and he never gives up. “I remember we were playing a match together and we needed 120-odd runs from 50-odd balls,” he said. “Our entire top-order had collapsed and batting together with him made me realise that he never gives up. When we would meet in the middle, he would tell things we need to do to turn the match around and that, for me, defines him as a person and a player,” he added.

    Sultans will be in action against Karachi Kings in the PSL 2022 opening match, which will be played at the National Stadium Karachi tomorrow (January 27).

  • ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    Shahnawaz Dahani is a young Pakistani cricketer, born near a village in Larkana. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared his story of becoming a cricketer through a video ahead of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    In the video, the journey of Dahani from playing in his village to the PSL is shown where it can be seen that he was opposed by his late father when he wanted to play cricket.

    Lack of proper facilities might have stopped the young Shahnawaz to get opportunities at a young age, just like many other boys from the city. But Shahnawaz seems to be making up for lost time. His story is one for the ages as someone who found it difficult to buy shoes to play cricket and is now one of the most celebrated young players.

    Ahead of the sixth edition of the PSL 2021, he was picked up as an emerging player by the Multan Sultans and the decision proved to be worth it. He ended up becoming the first emerging player to become the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.

    He was a key member in the Sultans’ impressive turnaround and helped them clinch their maiden title. Now, Dahani is one of the most celebrated young cricketers. Yet, just a few years back, he was like any other young Pakistani boy, living in a small village near Larkana, dreaming to play cricket for Pakistan.

    Read more – Shahnawaz Dahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh

    The 23-year-old made his international debut for the Pakistan cricket team in November 2021 in a series against Bangladesh.

    The young speedster is set to represent his franchise Sultans again in the latest edition of the league, starting from January 27 in Karachi.

  • Afridi, Vince move to Quetta, Azam Khan moves to Islamabad

    Afridi, Vince move to Quetta, Azam Khan moves to Islamabad

    The reports of former captain Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi being moved to Quetta Gladiators were circulating on social media and now the news has been confirmed by the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) page and franchise Quetta Gladiators. It’s going to be the fourth PSL team for the 41-year-old after he last played for the Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans and the Peshawar Zalmi. In the previous edition, he was a part of the Sultans, who won their maiden PSL title under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan.

    For the Gladiators, Afridi is most likely to play under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy. The upcoming edition may well be his last season in the T20 championship. The former Pakistan all-rounder wished to sign off from the PSL after guiding the Gladiators through to title glory.

    “I am excited to join Quetta Gladiators, a side that has had a roller-coaster ride in the past few events despite winning the title in 2019. In my final HBL PSL event, it will my dream and wish to sign off with another HBL PSL trophy after tasting success with Peshawar Zalmi in 2017.

    “HBL PSL is an event that encourages and inspires a player to give his very best. I will use the same motivation to help my team and put in performances that can help us achieve our event objectives,” Afridi said on PSL’s official website.

    Along with Afridi, England’s James Vince has also been traded from the Sultans to the Gladiators. Iftikhar Ahmed, who played for Islamabad United in last edition, will play alongside newly traded Vince and Afridi in the Gladiators.

    Young wicket keeper-batter Azam Khan, who represented the Gladiators last season, will play for United in the upcoming season. The PSL draft is scheduled to take place at the High Performance Centre in Lahore on Sunday, December 12.

  • Here is what you need to know about PSL 7 draft, schedule

    Here is what you need to know about PSL 7 draft, schedule

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition will begin on January 27, 2022, with the draft to be held on December 12. The league, which begins about a month earlier than usual to make room for Australia’s upcoming tour in March-April, will have the final take place on February 27.

    “Following an opening ceremony, defending champions Multan Sultans will take on hosts and 2020 champions Karachi Kings at the National Stadium with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm” on January 27, a PCB press release said, adding that 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators would go toe to toe with 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi the following day.

    “After Karachi, which will host 15 matches from January 27 to February 7, action will shift to the Gaddafi Stadium where the remaining 15 league matches and the four play-offs will be played from February 10-27,” the PCB said.

    It will be the first time since 2017 when the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will host the PSL final.

    The National Stadium in Karachi had staged the league’s finals from 2018 to 2020, while Abu Dhabi was the venue for the 2021 final, where Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs.

    Speaking on the matter, PCB Chairperson Ramiz Raja said: “I am delighted that the HBL PSL 7 schedule has been announced. This will now get the ball rolling with the teams to start planning and finalising their line-ups and the PCB increasing the pace of the operational delivery to ensure they provide quality playing facilities for the players as well as a five-star experience to the fans and our valued commercial partners.”

    “The HBL PSL 7 will also kickstart what will be a bumper year for Pakistan cricket with the Australia men’s cricket team to play a full series in March-April with England men’s cricket side to tour Pakistan twice for white-ball and red-ball cricket,” Raja added.

    Player draft

    According to the press release, the PCB has decided to hold the player draft for the league at its National High Performance Centre in Lahore on December 12.

    “Each side will come to the draft with a maximum of eight-player retentions from the last event,” it further stated. “Following the finalisation of player categories, the transfer and retention window is now officially open and will close on December 10.”

    According to the press release, Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick in the Platinum category, Diamond category, Gold category and Emerging category, Peshawar Zalmi will have the first pick in the Silver category, and Quetta Gladiators will have the first pick in the Supplementary category.

    Local players’ category renewals

    The press release said the PCB, after a review and assessment process, had updated local players’ categories.

    “In the biggest moves, Pakistan wicketkeeper/batter and Multan Sultan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan (previously Silver), Asif Ali of Islamabad United (previously Gold) and Lahore Qalandars’ Haris Rauf (previously Diamond) have been placed in Platinum Category.”

    Moreover, Multan Sultans’ Sohaib Maqsood, who was named the Player of HBL PSL’s sixth edition, and Haider Ali of Peshawar Zalmi have moved up from Silver and Gold categories to Diamond category, respectively.

    Schedule for matches in Karachi:

    • Jan 27: Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans

    • Jan 28: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi

    • Jan 29: Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars; Karachi Kings vsQuetta Gladiators

    • Jan 30: Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United; Karachi Kings vsLahore Qalandars

    • Jan 31: Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans

    • Feb 1: Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans

    • Feb 2: Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars

    • Feb 3: Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United

    • Feb 4: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi

    • Feb 5: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars; Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans

    • Feb 6: Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United

    • Feb 7: Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars

    Schedule for matches in Lahore:

    • Feb 10: Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi

    • Feb 11: Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans

    • Feb 12: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators

    • Feb 13: Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings; Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators

    • Feb 14: Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings

    • Feb 15: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators

    • Feb 16: Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings

    • Feb 17: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi

    • Feb 18: Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators; Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings

    • Feb 19: Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United

    • Feb 20: Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings; Multan Sultans vsIslamabad United

    • Feb 21: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi

    • Feb 23: Qualifier (1 vs 2)

    • Feb 24: Eliminator 1 (3 vs 4)

    • Feb 25: Eliminator 2 (Loser Qualifier 1 vs Winner Eliminator 1)

    • Feb 27: (Qualifier v Eliminator 2) Final