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Preview: Pakistan Super League squads

Published

4 years ago

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The sixth edition of PSL is all set to resume on June 9 in UAE.

Here’s a preview of all the squads.

Quetta Gladiators

Captain: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Coach: Moin Khan

Best finish: Champions (2019)

Last season: Fifth

Faf du Plessis is a key player for Quetta.

He wasn’t in good form in the first half of PSL 6, scoring just 71 runs in three matches. 

However, he regained his form for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, scoring 320 runs in seven matches.

Mohammad Hasnain is a proven performer and bagged six wickets in five matches, in the first half of PSL 6 at an economy rate of 8.33. Last season, he had 15 wickets at 8.96 from just nine matches.

32-year old Andre Russell is game-changer with over 6,300 T20 runs at a strike rate of 169.45 and over 300 wickets.

Squad:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Abdul Nasir, Andre Russell (partially available), Anwar Ali, Arish Ali Khan, Azam Khan, Cameron Delport, Faf du Plessis, Hassan Khan, Jack Wildermuth, Jake Weatherald, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Usman Shinwari, Zahid Mahmood, Zahir Khan

Peshawar Zalmi

Captain: Wahab Riaz

Coach: Daren Sammy

Best finish: Champions (2017)

Last season: Fourth

Shoaib Malik is a T20 legend and can never be ruled out, even though he struggled in his first five matches in PSL 6, scoring just 101 runs with a highest score of 34.

Peshawar’s captain, Wahab Riaz is another beacon of consistency.

He has been the leading wicket-taker for four of the last five tournaments. Riaz’s tally of 84 wickets at an economy of 7.18 in 59 PSL matches is a record.

Squad:

Wahab Riaz (c), Abrar Ahmed, Amad Butt, Bismillah Khan, David Miller (partially available), Fabian Allen (partially available), Fidel Edwards (partially available), Haider Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Irfan Snr, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Rovman Powell, Waqar Salamkheil, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Umaid Asif

Islamabad United

Captain: Shadab Khan

Coach: Johan Botha

Best finish: Winners (2016, 2018)

Last season: Sixth

Alex Hales will be absent for the second leg of PSL 6 which will be a big blow.

To bolster their batting, Islamabad have brought in Usman Khawaja who has the potential to be a match-winner, as his Big Bash performances suggest.

The dark horse could be pacy Mohammad Wasim Junior, who was labelled by Abdul Razzaq as the ‘quickest bowler in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy’.

Squad:

Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar, Zeeshan Zameer

Karachi Kings

Captain: Imad Wasim

Coach: Herschelle Gibbs

Best finish: Winners (2020)

Last season: Winners

Babar Azam is their talisman and one of  the best batsmen in the business. He was the highest run-scorer in 2020 with 473 runs which included half-centuries in the qualifier and the final.

The Kings will also count on Sharjeel Khan who made 200 runs in five matches. 

Another player to watch out for is 20-year old right arm seamer Arshad Iqbal, who is 6ft, 2 inches tall and capable of swing and bounce.

Squad:

Imad Wasim (c), Abbas Afridi, Amir Yamin, Arshad Iqbal, Babar Azam, Chadwick Walton, Danish Aziz, Martin Guptill, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Haris, Thisara Perera, Najeebullah Zadran, Noor Ahmed, Qasim Akram, Sharjeel Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Zeeshan Malik

Lahore Qalandars

Captain: Sohail Akhtar

Coach: Aaqib Javed

Best finish: Third in group, runners-up in final (2020)

Last season: Third in group, runners-up in final

Afghan Rashid Khan is indisputably the world’s best short-format spinner with his lethal mix of googles and flippers.

Along with last year’s highest wicket taker, Shaheen Afridi and bowlers like Haris Rauf and Dilbar Hussain, Lahore have the strongest bowling attack.

The hard-hitting left hander and wicket-keeper batsman, Zeeshan Ashraf is another player to watch out for.

Squad:

Sohail Akhtar (c), Ahmed Danyal, Ben Dunk, Callum Ferguson, Dilbar Hussain, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, James Faulkner, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shakib al Hasan (replacement to be announced shortly), Salman Ali Agha, Seekuge Prasana, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sultan Ahmed (replaces Joe Burns), Tim David, Zaid Alam, Zeeshan Ashraf, Rashid Khan

Multan Sultans

Captain: Mohammad Rizwan

Coach: Andy Flower

Best finish: Group winners, lost in eliminator (2020)

Last season: Group winners, lost in eliminator

South African left-hander Rilee Rossouw is one of the most prolific batsmen in PSL history and has scored at 131.42 with an average of 32.64.

In Feb 2020, he hit the fastest-ever PSL century against Quetta Gladiators smashing 100* in 44 deliveries.

Their bowling department has oodles of T20 experience with canny operators like Imran Tahir and Sohail Tanvir.

In Mohammad Rizwan, they have among the finest wicket-keeper batsmen in the world.

Squad:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Hammad Azam, Imran Tahir, Imran Khan Snr, Johnson Charles, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Umar, Obed McCoy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw, Shahnawaz Dhani, Shan Masood, Shimron Hetmyer (available only partially), Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Usman Qadir, Muhammad Waseem

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Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final

Published

14 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Nepal Premier League Final

Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.

Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.

Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.

In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.

This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.

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Captains Gear Up for NPL Final Showdown

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24 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Captains Share Strategies Ahead of NPL Final

The stage is set for the highly anticipated NPL final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at TU International Cricket Ground. Both captains expressed their excitement and shared their strategies during a pre-match press conference, building anticipation for the thrilling clash in the NPL Final.

Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and playing with determination. He assured fans the team was fully prepared to deliver their best performance. Airee highlighted teamwork as the key to their successful journey to the final.

Janakpur Bolts captain Aasif Sheikh reflected on their previous losses to Sudurpaschim but emphasized a strong mental approach for the final. Sheikh urged his players to focus on executing their skills under pressure and remain confident despite the challenges. He also acknowledged the significance of fan support, calling on supporters to cheer positively for both teams.

Both captains praised the contributions of Nepali players in their squads, emphasizing their pivotal role in the tournament’s success. They also encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation for the growing standards of Nepali cricket.

The final promises an exhilarating contest as two formidable teams compete for the championship title. Fans can expect a captivating battle between Sudurpaschim’s consistency and Janakpur’s determination. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 PM, with cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome.

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Janakpur Bolts Secure Spot in NPL Final to Face Sudurpaschim Royals

Published

2 days ago

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December 20, 2024

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Janakpur Bolts in NPL final

Janakpur Bolts in the NPL final! Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Qualifier 2 to secure their spot in the final. Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Janakpur overcame early setbacks and achieved victory in 19 overs, finishing with eight wickets down.

New Zealand batter Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role, scoring a rapid 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes before being dismissed by Bipin Sharma. Contributions from Mayan Yadav (14 runs) and Sher Malla (16 runs not out) also proved crucial in the lower order.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha top-scored for Karnali with 25 runs off 20 balls, while Dev Khanal added 24. Janakpur’s bowlers, including Lalit Rajbanshi, Jimmy Neesham, and Muhammad Mohsin, each picked up two wickets to restrict the opposition.

Janakpur’s journey to the final wasn’t without challenges. They suffered a defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1, forcing them into this must-win game. Despite an unsteady start, with key players like Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha departing early, the team showed resilience under pressure.

The final, set for Saturday, will feature Janakpur Bolts facing Sudurpaschim Royals in what promises to be an intense battle. Both teams, having proven their mettle throughout the season, are eager to clinch the prestigious NPL title.

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