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Tag: Multan Sultans

  • Shahid Afridi reportedly to play for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2022

    Shahid Afridi reportedly to play for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2022

    Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi will reportedly be playing for Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators. Nadeem Omar, who is the owner of the Quetta Gladiators, had confirmed the same.

    Read More – ‘The problem I have with Shahid [Afridi]…’, Shoaib Akhtar tells all

    Earlier in June, Afridi, who has played for Omar’s Galle Gladiators in Sri Lanka Premier League (SPL), had himself stated that he would like to be a part of the Quetta Gladiators franchise in his last PSL season in 2022. And, this news was even confirmed by Azam Khan, who is the manager of the Quetta Gladiators.

    “If the franchise [Multan Sultans] releases me, I will prefer to represent the Quetta Gladiators in my last season,” Afridi had said in an interview. You can also see a tweet about Shahid Afridi playing for the Quetta Gladiators below.

    The player draft for the 2022 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will take place in the second week of December. But then, the manager of the Multan Sultans and COO, Haider Azhar has revealed that Afridi being released by the franchise has not been confirmed as of now.

    Afridi has played 50 matches in the PSL and has scalped 44 wickets. With the bat, Afridi has smashed 465 runs in his PSL career. He has played with Multan Sultans in the last season and spent two seasons at Peshawar Zalmi and one at Karachi Kings. If he shifts to Gladiators, it will be his fourth team in the league.

  • Memes break the internet after Multan Sultans win PSL 6

    Multan Sultans won Pakistan Super League 6 (PSL 6) after defeating Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs last night. As cricket lovers are happy for Multan Sultans’ maiden PSL victory and #Champions is trending on Twitter, here are some memes to celebrate their victory.

    https://twitter.com/Zi99Ham/status/1408140816573423621?s=20

    Read More: Firdous Ashiq Awan vs Qadir Mandokhel: Memes you can’t miss

  • Peshawar Zalmi is the ‘strongest’ team in the tournament, says Shahid Afridi

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi said that Peshawar Zalmi is the strongest team of the tournament, while talking to Arab News.

    “I believe if Multan Sultans continues with its [current] form, it can win,” Afridi told the news media publication. “But the combination of Peshawar is excellent when we see their bowling and batting. So in my view, the strongest team [in this tournament] is Peshawar.”

    Afridi said it was a matter of happiness that his team, Multan Sultans, has qualified for the finals. “I extend congratulations to the entire squad, especially [captain Muhammad] Rizwan.”

    The final of the sixth season of the PSL will be played today between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi.

  • ‘I’m heartbroken,’ says Afridi after being ruled out of PSL

    ‘I’m heartbroken,’ says Afridi after being ruled out of PSL

    Shahid Afridi has been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) sixth edition’s remaining matches in Abu Dhabi due to a back injury.

    The former Pakistan captain was training in Karachi for the upcoming PSL6 matches when he experienced pain in his lower back following which he was examined by a doctor who has advised him a complete rest.

    “While training for the remainder of the HBL Pakistan Super League 6, I felt lower back pain and had to consult a doctor. Unfortunately I have been advised to rest and can no longer accompany my team Multan Sultans,” shared Afridi on social media.

    He wrote: “I am heartbroken [but] my support & prayers are with the team to take the trophy.”

    Afridi, who appeared in four Karachi-leg matches, has been replaced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s left-arm-spinner Asif Afridi who would be joining the Sultans squad in Abu Dhabi.

    Meanwhile, Islamabad United have roped in left-handed batsman Umar Amin and West Indies opener Brandon King. The latest additions mean they have now had a complete 20-player squad.

    As per reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to restart PSL6 on June 5 in Abu Dhabi. Players are to serve 10-day quarantine in UAE.

  • Andre Russell, Martin Guptill among lead names joining PSL6 in June

    Andre Russell, Martin Guptill among lead names joining PSL6 in June

    Andre Russell and Martin Guptill are leading the names among others signed by Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises for the competition’s resumption in June.

    In an online session held last evening, franchise representatives submitted names of the players they picked as replacements of those unavailable to feature in the upcoming matches.

    West Indies allrounder Russell will join Quetta Gladiators in the absence of England international batsman Tom Banton. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill has been picked by Karachi Kings, while Bangladesh allrounder Shakib al Hasan was selected by Lahore Qalandars. Australia’s Usman Khawaja was Islamabad’s pick to replace Alex Hales. Another fascinating pick by IU is South African player Janneman Malan.

    According to details, a total of 19 overseas players were chosen in the replacement draft, with three teams – Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta and Islamabad United reserving one further selection each, to be used at a later date.

    Most of the overseas players, who were around for the first set of games before the postponement, are missing for one reason or another. The English players are going to be busy with the Vitality Blast T20 tournament. Some others are on national duty. As a result, there was a mini draft, where the teams had to pick from 134 players, from Australia (10), New Zealand (12), South Africa (18), Bangladesh (7), West Indies (25), Sri Lanka (24), Zimbabwe (6), Afghanistan (16), Ireland (5), UAE (5), Scotland (4), Nepal (1) and Oman (1)

    https://twitter.com/HBLPSL6Official/status/1387315812059525121?s=19

    The PSL 6 was postponed after 14 matches on March 4 this year after a Covid-19 outbreak was reported in the tournament’s bio-secure bubble. The remaining 20 matches of the sixth edition will now be played at Karachi’s National Stadium from June 1-20.

    Read more – PCB books 300-room hotel in Karachi for PSL6

    FULL LIST OF PSL 2021 REPLACEMENT DRAFT PICKS

    Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja replaces Alex Hales, Janneman Malan replaces Lewis Gregory

    Karachi Kings: Martin Guptill replaces Colin Ingram, Thisara Perera replaces Mohammad Nabi, Najeebullah Zadran replaces Dan Christian, Litton Das replaces Joe Clarke

    Lahore Qalandars: Shakib al Hasan replaces Rashid Khan, James Faulkner replaces David Wiese, Joe Burns replaces Samit Patel, Callum Ferguson replaces Tom Abell, Seekkuge Prasana replaces Joe Denly

    Multan Sultans: Mahmudullah replaces Chris Lynn, Rahmanullah Gurbaz replaces James Vince, George Linde replaces Adam Lyth, Obed McCoy replaces Carlos Brathwaite

    Peshawar Zalmi: Fabian Allen replaces Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rovman Powell replaces Liam Livingstone, Fidel Edwards replaces Saqib Mahmood

    Quetta Gladiators: Andre Russell replaces Tom Banton

    Meanwhile, Malan found out what ‘Janneman’ means in Urdu – sweetheart – and he aspires to become a janneman to all Pakistanis with his performances.

    “Excited to join Islamabad United. Heard so many great things about the franchise,” said Malan. “I just found out what Janneman means in Urdu. I wish to be janneman to all Pakistanis with my performances in the PSL.”

    Usman Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, also expressed his excitement, saying: “Pretty excited to be joining Islamabad United. I have played everywhere in the subcontinent except where I was actually born. So for me, this means a little bit more.”

    “Can’t wait,” he added.

    Commenting under his tweet, England player Sam Billings encouraged the cricketer, saying: “Great franchise, go well brother.”

  • From Larkana to PSL6: All you need to know about Shahnawaz Dahani

    From Larkana to PSL6: All you need to know about Shahnawaz Dahani

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become a platform for many aspiring and young cricketers to fast track their cricket journey. Shadab Khan, Hassan Ali and Haris Rauf are just some players who have become superstars and made it to the national team after performing in PSL.

    This year, the player who caught everyone’s attention is 22-year old fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani – a young man from Larkana who has impressed everyone with his bowling skills and celebration style. Dahani was picked by Multan Sultans as an emerging player in the PSL6 draft and made his debut for Sultans during a game against Peshawar Zalmi. Since then, he has played three games and has taken two wickets in each of them.

    In an interview with Geo Super, the young cricketer opened up on his struggle, journey and future targets.

    Dahani is from a small village named Khuhawar Khan Dahani. Growing up, he used to play tape-ball cricket, barefooted, on an open and uneven field in his village.

    “I was passionate about bowling fast and was known in my village for my fast bowling, that’s why many there had named me 3G bowler – to relate the speed with the speed of the internet,” shared Dahani, adding that he knew nothing about professional cricket back then.

    Dahani said that he was invited to the U19 trials after some guests in his village witnessed him bowling with a tape ball.

    Recalling the moment, Dahani said when he was invited for the trials, he didn’t have any proper gear or shoes so he borrowed them from a friend and showed up to the trials. There he got selected to play inter-district U19 matches.

    Dahani, who has a B.Com Degree, said that his father wanted him to concentrate on his studies but his passion for the game pushed him to pursue it.

    “He [my father] is no more with us, but I am sure he would’ve been very proud today seeing me become the face of my village and bringing laurels” said Dahani.

    Dahani said when he completed the U19 season, he didn’t know there was a rule called “overage”. He showed up for trials again only to be told that he’s not eligible and needs to compete with seniors now.

    “I had no idea what had just happened, but I didn’t give up and made myself realise that if I have to compete, I will have to beat everyone” said the aspiring cricketer.

    After playing grade 2 cricket, he made his first-class debut last season and got 27 wickets in 8 games. His performance during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy impressed many which is why he was picked as an emerging player by Multan Sultans.

    Talking about his PSL journey and future goals, Dahani said: “I want to be among [the] best bowlers here. I know it’s a tough competition but I am giving my best.”

    “Everyone has their eyes on PSL and your performances here are noticed. It paves your way to [the] national team [and] you become a true star only when you’ve Pakistan’s star donned on your chest,” added the cricketer.

    “Sharing a dressing room with players like Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, Carlos Brathwaite is confidence-boosting for me. To be with them, celebrate with them and share a dressing room is increasing my courage as a cricketer,” he said.

    Recalling his humble beginnings the fast bowler shared that he was so passionate about cricket that he never missed any game on TV.

    “There was no facility, proper cable or anything so we made makeshift arrangements with friends to watch cricket matches. I had memorised stats and [the] action of all the bowlers then,” he said, adding that he aims to emulate bowlers like Shane Bond and Jofra Archer who are his role models.

  • Shahid Afridi turns 44

    Former Captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi has turned 44 years old today.

    The all-rounder thanked his fans and wellwishers for their wishes, saying: “Thank you very much for all the lovely birthday wishes – 44 today! My family and my fans are my biggest assets. Really enjoying my stint with Multan and hope to produce match-winning performances for all MS fans.”

    Afridi debuted in an ODI tri-series tournament in Nairobi, Kenya and, most famously, hit a 37-ball hundred the first time he batted in international cricket. That record stood for over 17 years and was even more outrageous for the fact that it had been achieved by a 16-year-old. After that, he has been known for his blasting cricket and later he was named “Boom Boom”.

    Several notable personalities including Shoaib Malik, Alan Wilkins Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) wished Lala on his birthday.

    Meanwhile, get to know Lala up close in this exclusive interview with The Current.

  • Multan Sultans clarify ownership status

    Multan Sultans has officially announced that the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise is no longer owned by Ali Khan Tareen and Alamgir Tareen is now the sole owner of the #JanoobKiPehchaan.

    Read more – ‘Sorry Lala’: Haris Rauf apologises to Afridi for dismissing him

    “Pursuant to an agreement between the co-owners, the franchise has started it’s HBL PSL6 journey under the sole management of Mr Alamgir Tareen,” read an official statement issued by the team. “Internal process for the transferring of the ownership rights has already begun and all formalities shall be concluded soon.”

    “The Multan Sultans franchise appreciates the contributions made by Mr Ali Tareen during the last two seasons and the franchise will no doubt continue to benefit from his support,” it continued.

    “Meanwhile, Mr Ali Tareen intends to increase his focus on grassroots cricket development projects and the domestic cricket structure in particular in South Punjab,” added the statement.

    Earlier, journalist Umar Farooq Kalson had stated: “The Multan Sultans ownership consortium has been broken. Alamgir Tareen has taken over complete ownership of the franchise, with Ali Tareen no longer with the franchise in any capacity.”

    Another senior journalist Faizan Lakhani had shared the news and said: “Ali Tareen will now shift focus to Southern Punjab region.”

    The franchise came into existence in 2018 and since then, the side’s ownership was partnered by Ali-Alamgir and a few authoritative persons.

  • Peshawar Zalmi chase down 194 with an over to spare

    Peshawar Zalmi has chased down 194 runs with an over to spare, beating Multan Sultans with six wickets in the fifth fixture of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) sixth edition at the city’s National Stadium.

    After putting 193-4 on the board, thanks to James Vince’s 84 and Mohammad Rizwan’s 41, the Sultans felt confident that they had enough on a pitch that had been favouring bowlers.

    Openers Kamran Akmal (37) and Imam-ul-Haq (48) provided a solid foundation, upon which Tom Kohler-Cadmore (53) capitalised and, when in the end some late hitting was needed, the young Haider Ali, chipped in with an unbeaten 24 off 8 to get his side over the line.

    With his much needed half century, Cadmore became man of the match.

  • Fans celebrate after Multan Sultans announce Rizwan as captain

    Mohammad Rizwan has replaced Shan Masood as the captain of Multan Sultans for the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Rizwan, who is Pakistan’s Test vice-captain, was part of Karachi Kings in the last edition but was inducted in the Multan Sultans’ squad in the silver category during the players draft in January.

    He was controversially included in the playing XI for Karachi in PSL 2020 on only two occasions with Chadwick Walton preferred over him to perform the wicketkeeping duties throughout the franchise’s title-winning campaign.

    Read more – ‘Shallow-minded approach exposed,’ says Hafeez after Sarfaraz criticises him for comments on Rizwan

    Reacting to his appointment, Rizwan said: “I look forward to leading the Multan Sultans team for the upcoming season. I have understood the innovative approach the franchise applied last season and am looking forward to playing my part this year.”

    “Multan Sultans had a successful PSL 5 and we will aspire to go even better this time around especially with senior Pakistani players like Shahid Afridi, Shan Masood and Sohail Tanvir to look up to,” he added.

    Rizwan recently became the second Pakistan batsman to score a century in T20 internationals when he racked up the triple-figure score in the first match against South Africa in Lahore on Thursday.

    He followed the match-winning contribution with 51 and 42 in the subsequent games to be declared player of the series as Pakistan prevailed in the T20I assignment 2-1.

    Rizwan has been in a similar blazing run of form in the longest format as he smacked his maiden Test century in the Rawalpindi encounter against South Africa. The 28-year-old was also Pakistan’s stand-in Test captain in the The Nw Zealand tour when regular skipper Babar Azam missed the series owing to a thumb fracture.

    Additionally, Rizwan boasts leadership credentials in the domestic circuit and was in charge of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as they clinched the National T20 Cup title in October 2020.

    “Mohammad Rizwan has shown exemplary leadership qualities with the Pakistan team as well as with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the domestic tournaments,” said Multan Sultans owner Alamgir Khan Tareen.

    “He is presently one of the very best in the world in his position and we are excited to have him lead our team for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League. We are grateful to Shan Masood for leading the franchise exceptionally well last season and for instilling a winning mentality within the team.”

    After two years of fifth-spot finishes since their entry into the PSL system, Multan topped the six-team table under Shan in the 2020 edition. However, a couple of defeats in the delayed PSL playoffs meant Multan could not reach the final.

    Meanwhile, Rizwan’s fans are celebrating his appointment on social media and lauding Multan Sultans for taking his decision.

    https://twitter.com/MaharSpeaks/status/1361288157459791873?s=20
    https://twitter.com/Shahzad29719575/status/1361251256560472067?s=19
    https://twitter.com/NIMMRARA/status/1361232769888714753?s=19