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.
To celebrate six successful years of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), an album comprising six “Taranay “, was released yesterday.
The album comprises five tracks – composed and performed by youth artists namely Maanu X Rozeo, Lyari Underground, Janoobi Khargosh, Talal Qureshi and Khumariyaan – and the album also includes 2021 edition’s widely popular anthem ‘Groove Mera’.
Here is the complete list of Tracks :
Googly
“Working with team of HBL PSL 6 has been a dream come true! It was a pleasure working on the song and a process that Rozeo and I enjoyed thoroughly. We hope you enjoy listening to our song as much as we enjoyed making it,” said Maanu [Rehman Afshar], while talking about his experience of working on the song.
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Don’t know my name you should Google me! Googly, googly, googly!
“It’s heart-warming to see HBL PSL engage artists from all over this diverse country. The band is humbled to have been given a great level of respect and acknowledgement and because of it we’ve put all our energy into our production. Excellent experience through and through being a part of HBL PSL Taranay. Pakistan Zindabad,” stated the band Khumariyaan.
Talking about the track ‘6ixer’, Singer Talal said, “It has been a great experience working and contributing to the HBL PSL’s original music album. I’ve always been passionate about cricket and when I got this opportunity, I couldn’t say no. With 6ixer, I just wanted people to feel the energy of the game. Due to the pandemic, many people will not be able to attend in person. But I wanted them to feel connected and give everyone something to dance to.”
The band Janoobi Khargosh in a collective statement said, “It was a bit of a challenge, creatively, to write a song that would be played for a massive audience in a stadium. Getting this opportunity to compose a song for HBL PSL Taranay allowed us to think in a completely new kind of way. Overall, it turned out to be a rewarding and fun experience, and we learned something new about ourselves: we can do anything we set our minds to.”
“We are really proud to present a song for HBL PSL 6 in our own style and language. This is a great opportunity for people to interact with the culture of Lyari and to celebrate its music and its people,” stated the music band Lyari Underground about the track, ‘Laibo’.
Female Cricket Presenter from Australia, Erin Holland expressed, disappointment for not being a part of Pakistan Super League (PSL) this year.
Holland, the wife of Ben Cutting, who will represent Quetta Gladiators in PSL 6, reacted to PSL 6’s commentators and presenters’ roster on Twitter. “Very disappointed not to be involved this year. I wish everyone all the best for what’s sure to be a huge tournament again – thanks for all the support, and hope to see everyone again next year,” she wrote.
Very disappointed not to be involved this year. I wish everyone all the best for what’s sure to be a huge tournament again – thanks for all the support, and hope to see everyone again next year xx
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 14-member list of commentators and presenters for the sixth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) featuring big international and local names.
Former England captain David Gower will make his debut this time in the commentary panel of HBL PSL 6 along with former New Zealand bowler and known commentator Simon Doull. The star-studded commentary roster also includes former South African all-rounder JP Duminy and Zimbabwean commentator Mpumelelo Mbangwa.
Other international names involved are Danny Morrison, Dominic Cork and Alan Walkins, who has been one of the most popular PSL voices in the previous seasons.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani commentators list includes both bi-lingual and Urdu commentators. Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Sana Mir and Urooj Mumtaz will be doing bi-lingual commentary while renowned Tariq Saeed and Sikandar Bakht will be part of the panel as Urdu commentators. While Zainab Abbas will be the official presenter of this season.
PSL 6 will start on February 20 at National Stadium Karachi, which will host 20 matches. The league will move to Lahore in the second phase and as many as 14 matches including Playoffs and the final will be played till March 22.
PSL 6 is just around the corner and fans are excited to see all their favorite cricketers from different countries be together in one stadium. What makes PSL 2021 more exciting is that international celebrities will also be joining the franchises as brand ambassadors.
Esra Bilgiç, who played the role of Halima Sultan in the famous Turkish drama series Dirilis: Ertugrul, had hinted that she would be working be PSL 6 franchise Peshawar Zalmi. Recently, in a tweet, she wrote “new beginnings” and tagged the franchise’s owner Javed Afridi.
In response, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi’s franchise Afridi also tweeted “New Beginning” and tagged the Turkish actress.
To increase people’s excitement, Afridi has shared a new photo with the Turkish star on his Insta story. Both, Javed and Esra, can be seen talking via video chat and pose for a screenshot image. Afridi wrote, “Pleasure catching up with you Esra.”
The actress had created suspense last year in July after she tweeted that she had some “good news” and tagged the Zalmi account as well as Javed Afridi.
Earlier in January, in an Instagram post, she posted a picture of Islamia University Peshawar with the caption “The City of Flowers”. This led to fans and followers speculating if the star was in Pakistan.
It was being speculated that Esra will be visiting Pakistan soon as she has reportedly signed a contract with Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi. While it is too early to say if Bilgiç will be coming to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Javed recently revealed that Mahira Khan will represent Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi in the sixth edition.
South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis on Wednesday announced that he is retiring from Test cricket.
The former South Africa captain wrote in a post on Instagram, where he also shared a statement on his decision. “My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter.”
With two T20 World Cups in the next two years, Du Plessis said he is shifting his focus to the shortest format of the game. “It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket,” he wrote.
“The next two years are ICC T20 World Cup years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so that I can be the best player I can possibly be.”
He represented South Africa in 69 Tests and scored 4,163 runs at an average of 40.02. He scored 10 centuries and registered his highest score of 199 in 2020. He had a memorable Test debut against Australia in Adelaide in 2012, when he scored 78 in the first inning and followed it up with a maiden Test century in the second.
His final Test came in Rawalpindi against Pakistan earlier this month.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) also thanked the veteran cricketer on Twitter for “the memories”.
Meanwhile, The Pakistan Super League (PSL) announced the replacement picks for the teams that will lose some players due to international commitments.
The teams made replacement picks for the players who have either become fully or partially unavailable due to international cricket commitments. Du Plessis, who was earlier part of the Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2020 play-offs, returns to the league as a partial replacement player in the Quetta Gladiators outfit in place of the West Indian Chris Gayle.
Meesha Shafi has said that Groove Mera is a win over classism and post-colonial inferiority complex.
Sharing a behind the scenes (BTS) video of the song, the singer said: “Groove Mera isn’t just a musical win! It’s a win over classism, over post-colonial inferiority complex, over a rigged system that favours only a select few repeatedly.”
“A shame that we deny ourselves legendary talent like Naseebo Lal over these hangups,” continued Meesha, adding: “Kudos to the whole team.”
Meesha had earlier also praised the song referring to Naseebo as “Queen”.
The official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Groove Mera has stirred up a storm in the country. While some, including celebrities, have appreciated the song, others have strongly criticised the composition and choice of artists.
After Shoaib Akhtar claimed he could have done a better job with the anthem, the speedster had to face immense backlash from Pakistani celebrities including Adnan Siddiqui, Farhan Saeed and Hira Mani.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has defended its decision to hire Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners to perform the anthem, saying that the three artists were chosen as the board wanted to feature voices that were new and had not sung any PSL anthem before.
Following the decision of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to allow 20 percent crowd to attend each matchday of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed the ticket prices for 30 of the 34 matches, which will be played from February 20 to March 16. Ticket denominations for the Qualifier, two Eliminators and the final, to be played from March 18-22, will be announced closer to time.
According to a press release, online sale of tickets will start on Wednesday at 10 00 (Pakistan time) and fans can visit www.bookme.pk to purchase match tickets and select their preferred enclosure and choice of seat.
Fans can also call the Bookme helpline (03137786888) to book their tickets for which CNIC number and phone number is mandatory. When the match ticket has been confirmed, the customer will be sent a token number on the registered phone so that the customer can make the payment at the closest Jazzcash/Easypaisa shop. Upon payment, the customer will receive an e-ticket code along with a Quick Response (QR) Code, which the customer can use to print the ticket or show the SMS at the entry gate on match day.
To encourage families to attend the marquee event, the PCB has reserved certain enclosures of the National Stadium Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium Lahore for families.
At the National Stadium, enclosures reserved for the families include Hanif Mohammad (VIP Enclosure), Wasim Akram (Premium Enclosure), Zaheer Abbas, Iqbal Qasim and Nasimul Ghani Enclosures (First-Class Enclosures), and Intikhab Alam Enclosure (General) while family enclosures at the Gaddafi Stadium include: Fazal Mahmood (VIP Enclosure), Saeed Anwar (Premier Enclosure), Abdul Qadir (First-Class Enclosure) and Nazar, Quaid, Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan (General Enclosure).
For Saturday’s tournament opener between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators, which will begin at 7 pm, cost of VIP stands (Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad Enclosures) have been fixed at Rs 5,000, while the price of the First-Class stands (Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hasan, Majid Khan, Iqbal Qasim and Nasimul Ghani Enclosures) have been kept at Rs 4,000. Similarly, price of Premium stands (Quaid, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan Enclosure) has been set at Rs 3,000, while the General stand tickets (Wasim Bari, Mohammad Brothers and Intikhab Alam Enclosure) have been fixed at Rs 2,000.
For Sunday’s double-header between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, and Islamabad United and Multan Sultans, which will start at 2 pm and 7 pm, respectively, cost of VIP stands (Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad Enclosures) have been fixed at Rs 4,000, while the price of the First-Class stands (Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hasan, Majid Khan, Iqbal Qasim and Nasimul Ghani Enclosures) have been kept at Rs 3,000. Similarly, price of Premium stands (Quaid, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan Enclosure) has been set at Rs 2,000, while the General stand tickets (Wasim Bari, Mohammad Brothers and Intikhab Alam Enclosure) have been fixed at Rs 1,000.
For matches to take place from Monday-Wednesday, cost of VIP stands (Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad Enclosures) have been fixed at Rs 3,000, while the price of the First-Class stands (Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hasan, Majid Khan, Iqbal Qasim and Nasimul Ghani Enclosures) have been kept at PKR2,000. Similarly, price of Premium stands (Quaid, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan Enclosure) have been set at Rs 1,000, while the General stand tickets (Wasim Bari, Mohammad Brothers and Intikhab Alam Enclosure) have been fixed at Rs 500.
For the first match in Lahore on March 10 involving Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, ticket prizes for the VIP stands (Imran Khan and Fazal Mahmood Enclosures) have been set for 3,000, followed by Rs 2,000 for the First-Class Stands (Abdul Qadir and Sarfraz Nawaz Enclosures), Rs 1,000 for Premium stands (A.H. Kardar, Rajas, Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar Enclosures) and Rs 500 for General stands (Inzamam ul Haq, Nazars, Quaid, Imtiaz Ahmed, Zaheer Abbas, Hanif Mohammad, Majid Khan, Saeed Ahmed Enclosures).
Meanwhile, overseas players have started arriving in Karachi, where the first half of the tournament will take place. Karachi will host 20 matches from February 20 to March 7 while Lahore will host the remaining 14 matches from March 10 to 22.
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.
Rizwan was released by Karachi Kings recently and was only picked by Multan Sultans in the Silver category. Today he was appointed Captain by Multan! What a turn around. Also shows the importance of hard work and paying your dues!
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.
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.
1st T20I century – @iamAhmadshahzad in Pakistan’s 81st T20I 2nd T20I century – @iMRizwanPak in Pakistan’s 161st T20I
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.
بے شک عزت الللہ کی ذات دیتی ھے بہت بہت مبارکباد ھومیں آپ کی کامیابی کے لئے دعا گو ھوں الللہ حاسدوں اور بری نظر سے بچائے آمین pic.twitter.com/AnHOQj1pYb
— ABBAS MEHAR Fan Of @IslamabdUnied @iMRiZWANPAK (@WikiBah) February 15, 2021
Wao Multan Sultans What a move.. Multan Sultans Means business.. Sultans not settling with first year’s performance… Shan was good but recently it’s all been Rizwan show.. “Aur beshak Allah jis ko izzat dena chahe usko kon rok sakta ha” Rizwan Masha Allah rukna mat
The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League 6 (PSL6) will commence with a glittering opening ceremony on February 20. The star-studded entertainment-packed event will feature Atif Aslam, Imran Khan, Humaima Malick and the PSL 6 Anthem artists: Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners. The event will also mark Atif and Khan’s first-ever PSL appearance.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), parts of the opening ceremony will be filmed offshore in a specially designed studio space in Turkey. Some artists including Baig have already arrived in Istanbul for the event.
Speaking about the opening ceremony, Director Commercial PCB Babar Hamid said: “This year promises to be really exciting especially the state-of-the-art technology being used to create this experience for Pakistani fans.”
Later, Khan shared his picture on Instagram with a caption, “Aj wekhe ga crowed mera groove tv te,” following the tags #hblpsl, #pakistan and #turkey.
The first four opening ceremonies of the PSL were held at the Dubai International Stadium while the 2020 opening ceremony was staged at the National Stadium Karachi, and the same venue will play host to the 2021 ceremony. As has been the tradition in earlier editions, the opening ceremony will be followed by the first match of the season – defending champions Karachi Kings will play Quetta Gladiators in the night match.
The ceremony is expected to be aired on PTV Sports and Geo Super. The time for the event has not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, overseas players have started arriving in Karachi, where the first half of the tournament will take place. Because of COVID-19 SOPs, the PCB has limited the event to Karachi and Lahore only. The former will host 20 matches from February 20 to March 7 while the latter will host the remaining 14 matches from March 10 to 22.
As announced by the PCB, around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the stadium per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Groove Mera has stirred up a storm in the country. While some, including celebrities, have appreciated the song, others have strongly criticised the composition and choice of artists.
After Shoaib Akhtar claiming he could have done a better job with the anthem, several fans have requested Romanian band Akcent to remake the song, in what appears to have become a tradition before the start of PSL every year.
Responding to fans’ requests, the official account of Akcent said that the band might remake the PSL 6 song.
In another comment, the band said that they might make the official anthem for the next edition of the PSL.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday defended its decision to hire Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners to perform the anthem, saying that the three artists were chosen as the board wanted to feature voices that were new and had not sung any PSL anthem before.
Earlier, Akcent had also tweeted: “PSL 7 or PSL 8?”
