Tag: Pakistan Super League

  • Video: Fahad Mustafa kicks out a journalist who refers to him as Fawad

    Video: Fahad Mustafa kicks out a journalist who refers to him as Fawad

    Fahad Mustafa has always been known to be unwaveringly controversial; be it in his opinions regarding the entertainment industry, or his certain antics that have tarnished his respect, the actor always seems to be at the kernel of something questionable.

    In a press conference, a reporter accidentally called Fahad “Fawad,” and things simply escalated from thereon. The actor has been an avid supporter of Karachi Kings and Pakistan Super League (PSL) so, he was part of the bench. The team’s owner, Salman Iqbal was also present with president Wasim Akram and coach (at the time) Mickey Arthur.

    Fahad asked the Samaa News reporter sarcastically who “Fawad” was to which the reporter responded too, in a sarcastic manner.

    The reporter admitted to his mistake and told Fahad that he’d told him off enough, ushering him to move onto the actual question. The team’s owner, captain, and president were amused by the argument, taking it lightly meanwhile.

    Fahad then ordered a rather sarcastic “taaliyan” for the reporter before demanding his mic to be turned off.

    The reporter was clearly upset, and despite having his mic removed, told the actor to mind his language after he called the reporter “beta.”

    You can watch the video here:

  • Speedy Afridi aims to become leading wicket-taker in PSL again

    Speedy Afridi aims to become leading wicket-taker in PSL again

    Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi has set his eyes on becoming the leading wicket-taker of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) once again.

    The 21-year old pace bowler from Lahore Qalandars finished the previous PSL edition as the leading-wicket-taker with 17 wickets to his credit. This year, he has taken 9 wickets from 4 matches, three less than Saqib Mehmood. However, Saqib is now not available to his franchise Peshawar Zalmi for the remaining matches of PSL due to his commitment to the English season.

    In coversation with Geo TV, Shaheen said that he is aiming to give his best for his side Qalandars.

    “My aim is to give my best and do well for my franchise. The team also have expectation from me and wants me to do well. I will try to finish this season as the top wicket-taker as well,” said Afridi.

    “My goal is to give my 100% whenever the captain asks me to bowl. How many wickets I take, that’s not in my hands but how much effort I put in is certainly in my hands and I will try to be best.”

    He insisted that Lahore Qalandars has the right combination and the team is ready for the remaining matches.

    Read more – PSL set to resume on June 9, final on June 24

    But the young pacer added that the first two matches of the Abu Dhabi-leg of the tournament will be important for the side.

    “We have a good side. The return of Rashid Khan has strengthened our bowling attack. Tim is a good batsman and he would surely bring value to our side,” he said.

    “We are playing Islamabad United in the first match and then the next day we will be playing against Peshawar Zalmi, these two matches are important for us, we need a flying start to get the momentum and first two games will be important. We are in the top four right now and the first target is to be among the top two sides on the points table,” he said.

    Shaheen praised his teammate Haris Rauf, saying that the fast bowler from the players’ development program (PDP) has improved a lot and he enjoys bowling alongside him.

    He also spoke highly of Lahore Qalandars’ PDP, adding that the team is now receiving fruits of what it invested in the programme.

    “Lahore Qalandars remained focused on the process to find and develop new talent for the country despite not too good results in the tournament. They prepared the players and now they’ve developed into performers for the side,” he said.

    Shaheen Afridi said that Qalandars will try to produce better results than the previous edition by winning the trophy.

    “We will not let down our fans,” he assured.

  • PSL6 to reportedly restart from June 7

    PSL6 to reportedly restart from June 7

    The remaining matches of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) sixth edition are likely to resume from June 7 in Abu Dhabi as per media reports.

    After several flight delays and logistical issues, PSL6 is finally restarting. The matches are to be played in Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the final is to be played on June 24.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on May 27 that it would hold the remaining PSL matches in Abu Dhabi. Only two chartered flights took off on May 27 simultaneously from Lahore and Karachi, carrying 202 passengers, including players, officials, support staff, and other participants of the league as they had to go through a seven-day quarantine after reaching their hotels in Abu Dhabi.

    However, 25 passengers, including former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, had to stay back in their hotels as they couldn’t get the visas on time.

    Later, five people, including fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, left Karachi for Abu Dhabi on Sunday. However, Sarfaraz Ahmed and 10 other members from Lahore could not get clearance for the trip to Abu Dhabi on May 30. The former Pakistani skipper was scheduled to leave via a commercial flight on Sunday but was denied permission to take the flight.

    Finally, Sarfaraz and five other players landed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

    An official announcement regarding the restarting date of the league is still awaited.

    The series witnessed a halt earlier this year after the Covid-19 bio-bubble was breached, and many positive cases emerged amongst the players and support staff members.

  • VIDEO: Babar Azam trains in isolation

    VIDEO: Babar Azam trains in isolation

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam is seen training as he is in quarantine for remaining matches of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) sixth edition in Abu Dhabi.

    “Training must go on,” wrote Babar while sharing the video on social media.

    The captain in the video can be seen doing dips, running, and other fitness-related exercises.

    Earlier, Imam ul Haq had posted a picture of a video conference of himself and other players, who are residing on the same floors of a hotel can’t meet each other for several days on end.

    Haq shared a screenshot of a video call in which the cricketer can be seen interacting with Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Babar and Shoaib Malik.

    It seems as if the screenshot has been taken while the players were having a hearty laugh as everyone, from Azam to Malik, can be seen smiling in the picture.

    “So close, yet so far. Bio-secure bubble at its full flow. We’re all in close proximity. Some even on same floors but still not meeting.

    “Keeping ourselves entertained with video calls, so that we can all entertain you from the ground in a few days,” wrote Imam.

    Meanwhile, Sania Mirza commented on his post and said: “All that is fine but where are your clothes?”

    A few days ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had confirmed receiving all the necessary permissions to hold 20 remaining matches the PSL 6 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under strict precautionary measures.

  • PSL 6 faces flight delays, logistical problems

    PSL 6 faces flight delays, logistical problems

    Sixth edition of Pakistan Super League is facing flight delays and logistical problems are being discussed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with the franchise owners.

    PSL contingent of 233 participants including players, support staff, broadcasting crew and PCB officials are still in Lahore and Karachi hotels after another delay in flight. The flight to Abu Dhabi has been delayed thrice in the last 36 hours which is brewing confusion, however, PCB has informed in the latest update that flights from Karachi and Lahore will leave at 5 pm today.

    The 25 PSL participants in Lahore and Karachi hotels haven’t got their visas and are still inside the bio-secure bubble.

    Read more – Wasim Akram is losing his mind as he quarantines for PSL6

    There was an urgent meeting called earlier today between PCB and franchises owners. In the online meeting, the franchise stakeholders were informed about the delay of South Africa and India’s technical staff chartered flights and PCB reiterated its resolve to solve all impending issues, taking all concerned into confidence. The backup plan of moving matches to Sharjah was also reportedly brought up in the meeting.

    In a statement issued after the meeting, the PCB said the franchises were updated on the unanticipated delays in the grant of landing permissions for chartered flights from India and South Africa.

    “The PCB is exploring all possible solutions to overcome these hurdles,” the statement read, adding that flights from Karachi and Lahore will depart today as per schedule.

    Reportedly, the broadcast crew from India and South Africa was not given permission to land in Abu Dhabi and now the PCB will make alternative arrangements and officials from those countries which are not on the red list will be engaged for the league.

    “The visas of at least  four individuals are still awaited and they will depart for Abu Dhabi later.”

    The statement added that holding the remaining 20 PSL matches was proving difficult under the current circumstances.

    According to a report, another  meeting of the PCB and franchise owners will be held in the evening.

    This is the third time the players and officials’ departure for the UAE has been postponed.

    The flight was previously scheduled to leave for the UAE at 8:00 am on Wednesday, which was later rescheduled to Thursday, 3 pm.

    And now the players and officials present at the hotels in Karachi and Lahore will fly for the UAE at 5pm.

    Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja had said that they will leave for the airport at 3pm.

    “Lot of speculations regarding the PSL on TV news channels. Latest on PSL travel is that we are moving out from the hotel at 3pm to go to the airport. So all is good.”

    Meanwhile, players and other staff have checked out from the hotel in Karachi and have departed for the airport.

  • Wasim Akram is losing his mind as he quarantines for PSL6

    Wasim Akram is losing his mind as he quarantines for PSL6

    The sixth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is ready to resume in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abu Dhabi shall host the 20 matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium from the first week of June. For that all teams and their staff have to go through a week’s isolation to maintain COVID-19 protocols for the tournament. Karachi Kings’ president and former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram is losing his mind in isolation as he is also quarantined for the same.

    “Third day in isolation, seen everything on Netflix, Prime, cable TV and now I think I am about to lose my sh_t,” wrote Akram on Twitter.

    “Suggestions are welcome,” he added.

    Replying to his tweet, Kings’ owner Salman Iqbal said: “Seven more days to go bro! I have some suggestions , will send you a WhatsApp.”

    Fahad Mustafa then dived in and replied to Salman, saying: “I also have some suggestions Salman bhai. Have to share with you before you leave.”

    Akram then replied to Fahad and said: “Salman is not even going into the bubble so don’t waste your ideas on him but I am all ears though.”

    “Third day [and] losing it already, said Wasim being bored-to-tears.

    According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), around 168 people will travel from Lahore on a chartered flight while 65 will leave for Abu Dhabi from Karachi. All the cricketers and coaching staff available in Pakistan for the league have been in quarantine at a local hotel since Monday where the second test of COVID-19 was conducted on Tuesday and their reports will come out before the planes depart for Abu Dhabi.

  • Naseem Shah upset after being ruled out of PSL for COVID-19 protocol breach

    Naseem Shah upset after being ruled out of PSL for COVID-19 protocol breach

    Right-arm fast bowler Naseem Abbas Shah is upset after being ruled out of Pakistan Super League (PSL) sixth edition’s remaining matches in Abu Dhabi after he broke COVID-19 protocols.

    “I cannot express in words how I feel right now,” said Naseem in a tweet on Monday, voicing his sorrow after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to drop him from the remaining PSL matches being played in Abu Dhabi from June 5.

    “I want to play cricket as it [playing cricket] is my life.”

    In his heartfelt note on social media, the speedster said he has worked very hard as he was excited about the PSL matches.

    “I followed all instructions conveyed to us through the group,” said Naseem. “I do not know how I missed that particular message.”

    Naseem also remembered his mother who passed away in 2019 when the pacer was on a tour in Australia.

    Concluding his message with a prayer, Shah said: “Allah will make me strong. I will make a comeback.”

    As per details, Naseem, along with all those traveling onboard the chartered flights from Karachi and Lahore to the UAE, was directed to submit the negative reports of PCR tests taken not more than 48 hours prior to arrival at the hotel on May 24.

    However, the report Naseem presented was of the test that was conducted on May 18. On the recommendation of the independent Medical Advisory Panel for PSL, the pacer was dropped out from the lineup flying to Abu Dhabi.

    Director Commercial and Head of PSL6 Babar Hamid, in a statement, said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pride in releasing a young fast bowler from its marquee event but if we will ignore this breach, then we will potentially put at risk the entire event.”

    “We appreciate the Quetta Gladiators for accepting this decision as it confirms we are all aligned to strictly following and implementing the protocols.”

    He said the board would not compromise on the COVID-19 SOPs as it was about the health of all the team members.

    “This decision will also send out a loud and clear message to all involved in the remaining matches that the PCB will not compromise on any violations and will expel the player or player support personnel irrespective of his stature and standing in the game if they are found to be flouting the prescribed protocols or regulations,” noted Hamid.

    “All participating in the tournament must understand that these protocols have been put in place for the health and safety of all involved as well for the integrity and credibility of the event and the PCB.”

    “As such, the onus is on them to ensure these are followed in its true letter and spirit and without exception,” he added.

    Earlier in March, PCB had reportedly allowed Wahab Riaz and Daren Sammy to reintegrate with the Peshawar Zalmi team without completing the three-day quarantine period after the two had allegedly breached COVID-19 protocols before the postponement of PSL6. The violation took place when the two met franchise owner Javed Afridi outside the team’s bio-security bubble.

  • ‘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.

  • PCB gets the green light from Abu Dhabi authorities for remaining PSL matches

    PCB gets the green light from Abu Dhabi authorities for remaining PSL matches

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has gotten the green light from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government for the remaining 20 Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Abu Dhabi.

    The PCB will now hold an online meeting with the six franchise owners later in the day to update them on the progress made and also to finalise details, which will be shared in due course.

    PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said, “We are delighted with this development as the remaining hurdles in the staging of the remaining HBL PSL 6 matches in Abu Dhabi have been overcome and all systems are now good to go.”

    “We are grateful to the UAE government, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their support and patronage in ensuring all final obstacles were removed, which has firmly put us in a position to complete our marquee event,” he added.

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

    “I take this opportunity to thank my staff for their untiring efforts and hard work that included sacrificing their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in an effort to ensure the PCB honours its commitment to its fans to hold the remaining matches of the tournament in June,” Khan said.

    Khan also mentioned that the holding of the remaining matches in Abu Dhabi would allow fans follow and support their favourite players and teams through high-quality broadcast coverage.

    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.

  • 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.”