Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the match officials for HBL Pakistan Super League X, scheduled to take place across four venues – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May. A total of 13 umpires and seven match referees will be involved in 30 matches, while the match officials for the Qualifier, two eliminators and final, will be announced in due course.Elite Panel of ICC Umpires – Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel and Kumar Dharmasena are among the 13 umpires officiating in the six-team tournament. Also included are Alex Wharf and Chris Brown. From Pakistan, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Rashid Riaz Waqar are part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires.Abdul Moqeet, Nasir Hussain, Tariq Rasheed and Zulfiqar Jan – part of PCB Elite Panel of Umpires will also be officiating matches during this edition of the HBL PSL. Among the match referees, ICC Elite Panel of Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will officiate matches alongside his fellow Sri Lankan Roshan Mahanama. Also serving as match referees are Ali Naqvi and Muhammad Javed Malik – both from the PCB International Panel of Match Referees. Iftikhar Ahmed, Iqbal Sheikh and Nadeem Arshad will also officiate during the tournament.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that for the first time in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, fans will be able to enjoy full-match Urdu commentary throughout the tournament. The HBL PSL X is all set to take place in four cities – Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May.Fans can now choose to tune into live broadcasts in Urdu, allowing them to experience the action and excitement of the league matches in Pakistan’s national language. This step is set to deepen engagement with millions of cricket fans and enhance their experience.HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: “This is a landmark moment for the HBL PSL and its ever-growing fanbase. Cricket is a unifying force in Pakistan and by offering commentary in Urdu for a full game, we are bringing the excitement and energy of the HBL PSL closer to the hearts of fans in every corner of the country. The introduction of the separate Urdu commentary feed is something that has been eagerly anticipated and we are excited to deliver it. This move not only strengthens our connection with the community but also ensures that the excitement of HBL PSL is more accessible to a wider audience.”

Lahore (PR): Lahore Qalandars are thrilled to announce Daily Deli Co., one of Pakistan’s leading fast-food chains, as an official sponsor for HBL Pakistan Super League 10. As part of this exciting partnership, the Daily Deli Co. logo will be prominently displayed on both sides of the Qalandars' helmets throughout the tournament, symbolizing a shared passion for cricket and excellence. This collaboration goes beyond branding—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences for supporters and strengthening the bond between sports and local businesses. Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are proud to welcome Daily Deli Co. to the Qalandars family for HBL PSL 10. Their support highlights the growing appeal of Lahore Qalandars and the HBL PSL, and we look forward to working together to make this season even more special for our fans.” A representative of Daily Deli Co echoed Atif Rana’s sentiments, saying, “Daily Deli Co. is absolutely thrilled to partner with the Lahore Qalandars for PSL'25! It was only a matter of time before Daily Deli Co. took the big stage, and we couldn't think of a better partner than Lahore Qalandars! As a brand, we're passionate about serving up more than just great food - we're committed to delivering unforgettable experiences for our fans in Lahore. We believe this collaboration will be a winning combination, and we look forward to a fantastic PSL season together. Dama Dam Mast Qalandar!” As Lahore Qalandars gear up for another thrilling PSL campaign, this partnership with Daily Deli Co. promises to enhance the fan experience and bring cricket lovers closer to the action. With the Qalandars’ spirit and Daily Deli Co.’s energy, the stage is set for an unforgettable season of cricket, passion, and celebration. 

Lahore (PR): HBL PSL X tickets will go on sale online from Thursday, 3 April, at 3pm PKT as the marquee event is all set to commence from 11 April. The six-team tournament will be played at the four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, with the final scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 18 May.Physical tickets will go on sale at designated TCS express centres (infographic attached) from 7 April onwards. Tickets booked online can also be collected from TCS designated pick-up centres or can be home-delivered by TCS. The tickets will be available to fans at an affordable rate, with general tickets available to fans at PKR 650 at all four venues. The tickets for the opening match scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will be available from PKR 1,000 to PKR 8,500. 

Rawalpindi to host 11 matches, defending champions Islamabad United to face Lahore Qalandars in opening fixtureSports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, as the defending champions Islamabad United will take on Lahore Qalandars on April 11, 2025 in the opening fixture of the HBL PSL 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The six-team tournament will see 34 matches from 11 April to 18 May, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium set to host 13 matches, including two Eliminators and the final.Also, the upcoming edition will feature an exhibition match, which will be played on 8 April in Peshawar. The teams of the match will be confirmed in due course. For HBL PSL X, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1 on 13 May. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will host five matches each. The marquee event will also feature three double-headers, with two matches on weekends (Saturday) and one on a national holiday (Labour Day).Karachi Kings –winners of the league’s fifth edition, will begin their campaign on 12 April in their own backyard against runners up of the last edition, Multan Sultans.Multan Sultans’ – the winners of the sixth edition, will face Lahore Qalandars on 22 April – the first HBL PSL X match hosted by Multan Cricket Stadium.The newly constructed Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will welcome the tenth edition of the HBL PSL on 24 April with home side Qalandars, winners of the seventh and eighth editions taking on Peshawar Zalmi.Peshawar Zalmi, champions of the HBL PSL 2017 will play their five matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the winners of the fourth edition, Quetta Gladiators will play five matches at the Gaddafi Stadium.HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: “We are thrilled to officially announce the schedule for the historic 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League. Over the past decade, the HBL PSL has grown into a globally recognised tournament, showcasing the best of Pakistan’s cricketing talent. The fans in this year’s tournament will not only see high-profile international cricketers but will also witness 34 high-octane matches across four major cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. As part of our commitment to expanding the reach of the HBL PSL, we are delighted to host an exhibition match in Peshawar before the start of the tournament, which is a significant step in bringing top-tier cricket to Peshawar, a city with a deep-rooted love for the game. We remain dedicated to enhancing the experience for players, fans, and stakeholders, who have witnessed some breathtaking contests in the league over the years.”HBL PSL X schedule (April 11 to May 18, 2025):11 April – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium12 April – Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium; Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Bank Stadium, Karachi13 April – Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium14 April – Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium15 April – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Stadium, Karachi16 April – Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium18 April – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Stadium, Karachi19 April – Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium20 April – Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Stadium, Karachi21 April – Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Stadium, Karachi22 April – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium23 April – Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium24 April – Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore25 April – Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore26 April – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore27 April – Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore29 April – Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore30 April – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore1 May – Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore2 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore3 May – Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore4 May – Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore5 May – Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium7 May – Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium8 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium9 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium10 May – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium13 May – Qualifier 1, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium14 May – Eliminator 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore16 May – Eliminator 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore18 May – Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The six HBL PSL franchises have announced their retentions ahead of the HBL PSL 2025 Players Draft, which is scheduled to take place on 11 January.Each franchise was allowed a maximum of eight retentions from their previous squad. Three franchises made full use of the retentions except Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi – who retained seven players each.Defending champions and three-time winners of the HBL PSL, Islamabad United have retained their skipper Shadab Khan, who was also player of the tournament in their successful campaign last season, and star fast bowler Naseem Shah in the Platinum category.Full retentions:Islamabad United (8) Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah (both Platinum), Imad Wasim (mentor) and Azam Khan (Diamond), Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador) and Haider Ali (Both Gold, Colin Munro and Rumman Raees (both Silver)Multan Sultans (7) Mohammad Rizwan and Usama Mir (both Platinum), David Willey (mentor), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) and Usman Khan (all Diamond), Chris Jordan (Gold), Faisal Akram (Silver)Peshawar Zalmi (7) Babar Azam, Saim Ayub (both Platinum), Mohammad Haris (Diamond), Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz and Sufyan Moqim (Brand Ambassador) (all silver), Ali Raza (Emerging)Quetta Gladiators (8) Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir (mentor) and Rilee Rossouw (all Diamond), Akeal Hosein, Saud Shakeel (Brand Ambassador) and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (all Gold), Khawaja Muhammad Nafay and Usman Tariq (Silver)Karachi Kings (7) Hasan Ali and James Vince (both Diamond), Muhammad Irfan Khan and Shan Masood (both Gold), Arafat Minhas (Brand Ambassador), Tim Seifert and Zahid Mehmood (all Silver)Lahore Qalandars (8) Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman (both Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador) and Sikandar Raza (both Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan and Zaman Khan (all Gold), David Wiese (Silver)Successful category relegation requests: Rumman Raees (Islamabad United), Hasan Ali, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood (all Karachi Kings), Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars), Faisal Akram (Multan Sultans)Some of the star foreign players registered in the top two categories: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq Murid, Mohammad Nabi, Hazratullah Zazai, Qais Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote (all Afghanistan), David Warner, Cooper Connolly, Matthew Short, Riley Meredith, Sean Abbott, William Sutherland, Mark Steketee, Ashton Agar, Daniel Sams, Jason Behrendorff, Chris Lynn, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Josh Philippe, Benjamin Dwarshuis, Tanveer Sangha, Jake Lehmann, (all Australia), Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy (all Bangladesh), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings, Jason Roy, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, Alex Hales, Laurie Evans, Dawid Malan, Luke Wood (all England), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Ajaz Patel, Colin De Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi (All New Zealand), Rassie van Der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Nandre Burger, Duan Jansen, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder (all South Africa), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (all Sri Lanka), Andries Gous, Corey Anderson (All USA), Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Matthew Forde, Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher, Obed McCoy, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Dominic Drakes, Shamar Springer, Hayden Walsh Jnr (All West Indies), Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani (all Zimbabwe).

Lahore (PR): Leading up to the 10th edition of the HBL PSL, PCB announces the HBL PSL Fans’ Choice Awards celebrating nine years of the league. Local and foreign players, who have featured in the previous editions of HBL PSL will be nominated and nominations will then be opened for fan voting.The fans will be the decision-makers and the players receiving the highest number of votes in each category will be declared the winner at the HBL PSL Draft 2025 scheduled in Gwadar on 11 January. HBL PSL, since its inception in 2016, is all set to hold its historic 10th edition matches between April 8 to May 19, 2025.Six categories for Awards:Best BatterBest BowlerBest All-rounderMost Valuable Player (MVP)Best Individual Bowling PerformanceBest Individual Batting PerformanceHBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said: “The HBL PSL’s long and successful journey could not have been possible without the firm support of our loyal fans, who are an integral stakeholder in the success of this league. The Fans’ Choice Awards are our way of recognising their passion and dedication, providing them with a platform to recognise their favourite players and moments as we celebrate the very best of HBL PSL together. We all know there have been breathtaking performances and unforgettable moments throughout the history of this league. The Fans’ Choice Awards aim to showcase what makes the HBL PSL truly special, a tribute to the players who inspire and the fans who cheer them on.”

Lahore (SBR): The registration window for foreign players to register themselves for the 10th edition of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) along with the trade window is now open. The category renewals of the players will be announced on Tuesday, 17 December.The relegation process and retention of players will be carried out during the ongoing month. The HBL PSL Players’ Draft is scheduled to take place on 11 January, 2025. The venue and time for the draft will be announced in due course.HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the registration process for foreign players as well as the trade window. This marks an exciting beginning to preparations for the highly anticipated 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League. The HBL PSL is a home-grown brand which we are all proud of. Since its inception in 2016, together with our franchise owners, commercial partners and stakeholders, we have embarked on a long and successful journey. The quality and competitiveness of cricket played is second to none and we will strive to meet expectations of our loyal fans. The landmark 10th season promises to bring more excitement for all and the HBL PSL team is committed to working tirelessly to provide fans unmatched experiences.”Since 2016, Islamabad United have become champions of the HBL PSL thrice, which include the opening (2016), third (2018) and last edition (2024) of the league. Lahore Qalandars have won twice in 2022 and 2023, Peshawar Zalmi remained champions of the 2017 edition. Quetta Gladiators won the 2019 edition, while Karachi Kings clinched their maiden title in 2020. Multan Sultans emerged as the winners in 2021.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Islamabad United won their third HBL PSL title after they edged over Multan Sultans, by a mere two wickets, in the HBL PSL 9 final following a last-ball thriller, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Monday night. The HBL PSL 9 champions bagged PKR 140,000,000 as prize money, whereas, Multan Sultans, the runners-up, received PKR 56,000,000.Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bat first. The first over, bowled by Naseem Shah, saw the drama unfold as Salman Ali Agha caught Mohammad Rizwan on the fourth ball, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball as Naseem overstepped.Imad Wasim struck on the third ball of the next over to remove Yasir Khan, who was caught by Tymal Mills. David Willey, batting at three, hit Imad for a six on the fifth delivery. On the very next ball, Willey’s stumps were shattered as the second wicket fell for Multan. The fifth over, bowled by Hunain Shah, was capitalized by Rizwan and Usman Khan as both hit two boundaries each to snatch 17 from the over. At the end of the powerplay, Multan stood at 48-2.The 53-run third-wicket stand between Rizwan and Usman was broken in the 10th over as Shadab Khan removed his counterpart for run-a-ball 26. In the next over, Usman smashed a four and a six to keep the score flowing. Imad, returning to the attack, got his third wicket when Johnson Charles (4, 6b) was caught by Naseem at short fine.In the 15th over, Usman brought up his second HBL PSL 9 half-century. In the same over, Usman and Khushdil Shah hit a boundary each as Multan got to 114-4 with five overs left. Shadab removed Usman (57, 40b, 7x4s, 1x6) on the first ball of the next over. Usama Mir, the next batter in, smashed a maximum on his first ball. The Islamabad skipper avenged himself on the subsequent delivery, as Hunain pouched an important catch to dismiss Usama (6, 2b, 1x6).The 17th over, bowled by Imad, saw three wickets at the expense of just three runs, paralyzing Multan’s innings. Khushdil (11, 13b, 1x4) and Chris Jordan (0, 1b) were removed on consecutive deliveries as Imad completed a five-wicket haul, becoming the first bowler to do so across nine HBL PSL finals. Abbas Afridi was run out on the final ball of the same over, as Multan were reduced to 127-9 after losing five wickets for just 13 runs over the course of two overs.With only two overs remaining, Iftikhar stepped on the gas pedal. He smashed two sixes against Mills in the penultimate over. Then, facing Naseem in the final over, he produced two boundaries and one six to help Multan finish at a competitive total of 159-9. Imad was the pick of the bowlers, getting a five-fer. Shadab bagged three wickets.In pursuit of 160-run target, Islamabad United started on a 26-run opening partnership between Colin Munro and Martin Guptill, until Khushdil removed the former for 17 on 13, with four boundaries, in the fourth over. In the final over of the powerplay, Khushdil completed a successful return catch to send Salman (10, 11b, 2x4s) back to the pavilion as Islamabad finished six overs at 46-2.Shortly after, Shadab (4, 8b) failed to execute a sweep shot as Iftikhar disturbed the stumps to bring Islamabad three down, with 58 on the board, after nine overs. Usama, brought to the attack to bowl the 11th over, was on the receiving end of Guptill’s onslaught as he conceded 18 on the back of two sixes and a four. The next over saw 15 runs scored on the back of three boundaries, with Azam Khan hitting two of them.The stabilizing 47-run fourth-wicket stand between Guptill and Azam was unceremoniously ended when the former was run out in the 13th over. Guptill walked back after contributing 50 from 32, showcasing four boundaries and three maximums. Imad joined Azam on the crease, with 58 needed off 43 deliveries. The two could only add 19 runs collectively before Azam (30, 22b, 4x4s, 1x6) edged one to the keeper to award Usama a wicket.Haider Ali (5, 3b, 1x4) and Faheem Ashraf (1, 4b) were removed cheaply as trouble deepened for the chasing side, who required 31 off 17 to get over the line. The 18th and 19th overs yielded 12 and 11 runs respectively, to bring the equation to eight needed from the final over with Naseem (17, 9b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Imad (19 not out, 17b, 2x4s) on the crease. Naseem hit a four on the second ball but was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the game, with scores leveled.Hunain, needing one off the final delivery, hit the winning runs as Islamabad secured the title for the first time since 2018. Khushdil and Iftikhar returned with two wickets each while Willey, Ali and Usama had one each.Players’ Awards:Player of the match: Imad Wasim (Islamabad United)Emerging Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Irfan Khan (171 runs, Karachi Kings)All-Rounder of the Tournament: Saim Ayub (345 runs, Eight wickets, Peshawar Zalmi)Fielder of the Tournament: Mohammad Irfan Khan (Eight catches, Karachi Kings)Wicketkeeper of the Tournament: Azam Khan (10 dismissals, 226 runs, Islamabad United)Bowler of the Tournament: Usama Mir (24 wickets, Multan Sultans)Batter of the Tournament: Usman Khan (430 runs, Multan Sultans)HBL - Player of the Tournament: Shadab Khan (305 runs, 14 wickets, Islamabad United)Spirit of Cricket Award: Peshawar ZalmiUmpire of the Tournament: Asif Yaqoob

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Islamabad United (IU) and Multan Sultans (MS) set to meet in the final of the HBL PSL edition 9 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Monday. The first ball is expected to be bowled at 9pm, while the toss will take place at 8:30pm.Sultans, who qualified for the final after beating Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier, will be playing their fourth consecutive final. They were crowned champions in the 2021 edition and finished as runners-up in the subsequent two editions wherein Lahore Qalandars clinched two back-to-back titles.After finishing third on the table, United beat Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in the two eliminators to earn the coveted berth in the final. This will be two-time champions United’s first final since 2018 – when they last won the HBL PSL title.In the lead-up to the playoffs, Multan Sultans secured 14 points after winning seven out of their ten games. United finished with five wins, whereas their home game against Lahore Qalandars was washed out. As a result, United had 11 points, equaling with the fourth-placed Quetta Gladiators.Multan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan are the second and third highest run-getters of the tournament thus far, only behind Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam who ended HBL PSL 9 with 569 runs in 11 innings, including five half-centuries and one century.Rizwan has accumulated 382 runs in as many innings, with four half-centuries. Usman, having appeared in only six games, has made 373 runs on the back of two centuries and a half-century.Colin Munro, with 309 runs from nine games with three fifties, is the highest run-getter for Islamabad United. Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan has also starred with the bat and ball alike this season; in 11 games, he has produced 301 runs, including three half-centuries, and taken 11 wickets.Leader of the Sultans’ spin attack, Usama Mir, is the current leading wicket-taker of the tournament, holding the Inverex Fazal Mahmood Cap. He has 23 scalps in 11 games, including one six-wicket haul. His current tally of 23 is the best by any spinner in one edition of HBL PSL and is only two wickets behind Hasan Ali’s record of 25 wickets, the most by any bowler in one edition, which has not been bested since 2019.Sultans’ right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali, playing his maiden HBL PSL tournament, has 18 wickets in 11 games, the most by any pacer in the tournament thus far.Naseem Shah, who made his move to Islamabad United ahead of HBL PSL 9, has the most wickets for his team thus far. Assuming his role as the leader of Islamabad’s bowling attack, the right-arm seamer has grabbed 15 wickets in 10 games.Shadab Khan said: “I’m proud of my team for standing tall in crucial situations and getting through to the final of HBL PSL after a long hiatus of five years. This is what we intended while assembling the squad and all the players have responded very well throughout the group stage as well as the playoffs. Islamabad winning the trophy for the third time will be a great achievement and I’m looking forward to whatever challenge Multan Sultans will pose in the final. Hopefully, our batters and bowlers will step up in a spirited manner as they have done throughout the season and will make us champions.”Mohammad Rizwan said: “I am very proud of the way my team has played in this tournament. Our boys have displayed the true warrior spirit throughout the tournament. Whenever we found ourselves behind the opposition, our players stepped up through their bold and fearless approach.“We have a solid team that has all the bases covered. Our locals, foreigners and emerging players have shone and produced some extraordinary performances. What further helps us is the fact that our team has gelled really well in the last four weeks.”