Sports Bulletin

 Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the HBL PSL Teams Auction 2026 for induction of two new Franchises, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the league. As a result of the auction process, Team 7 has been awarded to Hyderabad, while Team 8 will represent Sialkot, officially expanding the HBL PSL to eight teams.The auction attracted strong interest from prospective investors, with nine bidders participating in the Live Auction at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, reflecting the growing commercial strength, global appeal, and long-term sustainability of the HBL PSL. The induction of Hyderabad & Sialkot Teams further strengthens the league’s national footprint and underscores PCB’s commitment to inclusivity, regional representation, and fan engagement across Pakistan.In the first round of the Auction, the base price for the seventh team was set at PKR 110 crore and after a fierce round of bidding US-based FKS Group led by Mr Fawad Sarwar made the winning bid worth PKR 1,750,000,000 and chose Hyderabad out of the six available city names.The second round saw the base price of the eighth team set to PKR 170 crore, which led to deep interest from the investors as there were two calls for strategic timeout. In the end OZ Group led by Mr Hamza Majeed snapped the eighth team for PKR 1,850,000,000 and chose Sialkot as their team.Congratulating the successful bidders, PCB Chairman, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, welcomed the new franchise owners into the HBL PSL family:“The expansion of the HBL Pakistan Super League with the addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot is a landmark moment for Pakistan cricket. We warmly welcome the new franchise owners and look forward to their contribution in strengthening the league, enhancing competition, and further elevating the HBL PSL’s global stature.”Chief Executive Officer of the HBL PSL, Mr. Salman Naseer, also expressed his confidence in the expansion:“The successful live and competitive auction reflects the immense trust investors have in the HBL PSL brand. Hyderabad and Sialkot bring with them rich sporting heritage and passionate fan bases. We are keenly looking forward to working closely with the new owners to deliver an even more compelling and competitive HBL PSL experience for fans worldwide. The League is thriving and we can't wait for the next few weeks to unfold as they promise to be even more exciting.”The owner of the Hyderabad franchise, Mr. Fawad Sarwar expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm:“We are delighted to have successfully secured the Hyderabad franchise in the HBL Pakistan Super League. This is an exciting new chapter for FKS Group, and we look forward to bringing our philosophy of professional management, innovation, and excellence of execution to the HBL PSL. The league presents both tremendous opportunity and meaningful challenges, and we are fully committed to building a franchise that represents Hyderabad with pride and contributes positively to the growth of Pakistan cricket across the world.Similarly, the owner of the Sialkot franchise, Mr. Hamza Majeed shared his excitement at joining the league:“"It is a tremendous honour to acquire a franchise in the HBL Pakistan Super League, and we are delighted to bring the league to Sialkot, a city that has contributed immensely to Pakistan’s sporting identity. It is both a privilege and a huge responsibility to become the league's eighth team as we begin our journey in HBL PSL 11 with pride and ambition."Sialkot has a rich legacy of cricket and sporting excellence, from producing world-class sports equipment to achieving notable success in domestic cricket, including T20 titles. This team is for the people of Sialkot and their energy, pride and love for the game will be our greatest strength. We are honoured to represent this historic city on the HBL PSL stage and are committed to building a franchise that reflects its winning spirit. We also look forward to contributing to the continued success of the league in close coordination with HBL PSL management and the seven other teams."With the addition of Hyderabad & Sialkot, the HBL PSL enters a new era of expansion, competitiveness, and opportunity. The PCB and HBL PSL Management will work closely with the new franchises to ensure seamless integration ahead of upcoming HBL PSL 11 and beyond.

Lahore (Sports News): OZ Group, led by Chairman Hamza Majeed Chaudhary, has achieved a significant milestone after being officially shortlisted among the qualified bidders for the expansion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan’s flagship professional T20 cricket competition.The PCB received 12 bids from investors based in Pakistan and overseas, underscoring the PSL’s growing international appeal and commercial credibility. Following detailed scrutiny, 10 bidders were declared technically eligible to advance to the next stage the franchise auction, scheduled to take place on January 8, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad.The PSL expansion will see the league grow from six to eight teams beginning with PSL Season 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026. This marks a pivotal moment in the league’s evolution, aimed at enhancing regional representation, expanding commercial opportunities, and strengthening the PSL’s global sporting footprint.Hamza Majeed Chaudhary said: “Being shortlisted by the PCB is a strong endorsement of OZ Group’s professional standards, financial credibility, and long-term vision. Our objective is to build a competitive and sustainable PSL franchise that delivers on-field success while also contributing to grassroots development, fan engagement, and the broader growth of cricket in Pakistan.”“Cricket has always been a unifying force for Pakistan. Through the PSL platform, we aim to nurture emerging talent, engage local communities, and contribute to the sport’s long-term sustainability,” Chaudhary added.

Islamabad (Sports News): Chairman PCB Syed Mohsin Naqvi announced the official window for the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL). The HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to take place from 26 March to 3 May, 2026.The confirmation of the HBL PSL 11 window marks a significant milestone as preparations intensify for the league’s next phase of expansion. The Pakistan Cricket Board will also host the New Teams Auction on 8 January, 2026 at the Islamabad Convention Centre, where the rights for two new HBL PSL franchises will be offered. The auction will be broadcasted, providing transparency and global visibility to prospective investors and cricket fans worldwide.The HBL PSL continues to attract strong international interest, reflecting the league’s growing commercial strength, expanding global footprint and long-term growth potential. Recent engagements with global stakeholders have underlined confidence in the league’s business model and its positioning among the world’s leading T20 competitions.Recognised for its high-quality cricket, competitive balance and role in developing elite international talent, the HBL PSL has firmly established itself as a premier global T20 league.

Lahore (Sports News): The Pakistan Super League is pleased to announce that the auction for the two new HBL PSL franchise teams will take place on 6 January, 2026.This marks a significant milestone in the league’s continued expansion and its commitment to expanding its footprint across Pakistan. The addition of two new teams will also create fresh commercial, sporting and fan engagement opportunities.The pool of cities shortlisted for potential franchise allocation includes:1.           Faisalabad2.          Rawalpindi3.           Hyderabad4.          Sialkot5.           Muzaffarabad6.          GilgitThe successful bidders at the auction will have the right to choose from amongst these city/team names. Only technically qualified bidders will be invited to the Auction.The HBL PSL, now recognised as one of the premier T20 leagues globally, continues to grow in stature, commercial strength and fan following. The PCB and PSL Management look forward to welcoming new stakeholders to the HBL PSL ecosystem and to further elevating the league’s impact on Pakistan cricket.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: As part of the ongoing trophy tour celebrating their recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) title win, Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana visited the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and met with Chargé d'Affaires, Natalie A. Baker.The visit served as a goodwill gesture, bringing together representatives of Lahore Qalandars and members of the U.S. Embassy’s cricket team and fan community. During the meeting, Mr. Rana presented a signed Lahore Qalandars jersey to Baker as a token of appreciation. The two sides shared their mutual passion for cricket and discussed the sport’s growing influence across cultures and borders.Baker had attended two Qalandars matches this season, including the thrilling final and has been enthusiastic about team’s energy, resilience, and eventual become a title triumphant. “Watching cricket live has been such an exciting experience,” said Ms Baker “I was thrilled to see such a huge fan base and such a crowd at Gaddafi Stadium the other night. As an American, I grew up around baseball, and it’s fascinating to see the parallels and passion that cricket inspires. With both sports now part of the Olympics, I look forward to seeing them spark even greater global connection. I want to sincerely thank the Lahore Qalandars for welcoming me and making me feel like part of their family.”Rana expressed gratitude for the embassy’s engagement with cricket and extended appreciation to Ms. Baker for her support. “I’m truly delighted to see cricket sparking conversations at the U.S. Embassy and to witness the enthusiasm of American friends toward this beautiful game,” he said. “We’re especially thankful to Baker for attending our matches. She will forever be a part of the Qalandars family—as we say, once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar.”Fresh off their PSL title victory, Lahore Qalandars continue to use the trophy tour to connect with fans and promote cricket development at home and abroad.Lahore Qalandars have emerged as one of the most successful franchises in PSL history, winning three titles in four last years. They also hold the distinction of being the only team to win back-to-back championships, achieving this rare feat in 2022 and 2023.

Lahore(SBR): Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars romped to their third HBL PSL title in four years as they beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in a thrilling last-over finale here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night in front of a packed house.Qalandars, who notched their second-highest successful chase, hunted down the 202-run target with one ball to spare as they became the second team besides Islamabad United to bag three HBL PSL titles in the tournament’s 10-year history.The successful 202-run chase by Qalandars is also the highest target surmounted by a team in a T20 final.Kusal Perera, who top-scored for Qalandars with a blazing 62 not out, joined forces with Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza to help their team complete a come-from-behind triumph as the duo stitched an unbeaten 19-ball 59-run fifth-wicket stand.Qalandars required 57 off 20 balls when the Perera and Sikandar got together with the latter making his mark right from the get-go as he struck a six and a four against Mohammad Amir off his first two balls to close off the 17th over of the innings.In the subsequent over, Perera struck two sixes against Khurram Shahzad consigning him for 16 runs. With the required rate above 15, the penultimate over saw Qalandars ransacking 18 runs as Perera again smacked Amir for two fours and a six on the last ball to bring the equation down to 13 required off the final over.Faheem Ashraf gave away only five runs on the first three balls before Raza (22 not out, 7b) bludgeoned a sensational six over deep cover-point followed by a four – the winning shot, to seal the title for Qalandars.Perera, who harvested 170 runs in four games this season, backed up his Eliminator two half-century with the match-winning unbeaten fifty in final in which he hit five fours and four sixes facing 31 balls.After Qalandars were 85-2 in the ninth over, Perera also stitched a 30-run partnership each with Abdullah Shafique (41, 28b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (14, 16b, 1x4, 1x6) to keep the innings intact.At the start of the chase, Mohammad Naeem provided his team with a head-start as he struck six sixes and one four in his 27-ball 46 including a 39-run opening stand with Fakhar Zaman (11, 10b, 2x4s) and a steady 46-run second-wicket partnership with Abdullah.Naeem set the tone for Lahore’s successful chase by striking four sixes in a space of five balls across the second and third overs helping his team collect 56 runs off the Powerplay. Qalandars were 97-2 at the halfway stage before they belted the required remaining 105 runs off the next 9.5 overs.Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted their third-highest total of the HBL PSL X after stumbling to 21-2 with Shaheen and Mohammad Salman Mirza removing the both openers cheaply.Gladiators’ top run-scorer in the innings and best batter of the tournament Hasan Nawaz fought back with 76 off 43 balls keeping the run flow going. Hasan and Rilee Rossouw wrestled back with a 19-ball 37-run stand after two early blows, which also saw their team finish the Powerplay with 57-2.Sikandar then removed Rossouw bringing on Avishka Fernando (29, 22b, 5x4) to the crease as he partnered Hasan for the next 6.3 overs. The duo struck nine fours and two sixes collectively in a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket to keep Lahore’s bowling attack on their toes.Dinesh Chandimal too helped Gladiators by assisting Hasan in a brisk 46-run stand, where the experienced Sri Lankan batter hit two sixes before departing in the 18th over for a 13-ball 22.Shaheen and Haris Rauf then stemmed Gladiators’ progress by delivering a two-wicket over each for eight runs collectively as the 2019 champions found themselves 178-8 in 19 overs.The last over of the innings saw Faheem hit Salman Mirza for three towering sixes and a four to collect 23 runs before falling for an eight-ball 28 on the last ball of the innings.For Lahore, skipper Shaheen, also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 19 scalps, returned impressive figures of 4-0-24-3, while Salman and Haris picked up two wickets each.Scores in brief:Match 34: Final – Lahore Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at Gaddafi StadiumQuetta Gladiators 201-9, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 76, Avishka Fernando 29, Faheem Ashraf 28, Rilee Rossouw 22, Dinesh Chandimal 22; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-24, Haris Rauf 2-41, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-51)Lahore Qalandars 204-4, 19.5 overs (Kusal Perera 62 not out, Mohammad Naeem 46, Abdullah Shafique 41, Sikandar Raza 22 not out; Abrar Ahmed 1-27)Player of the final – Kusal Perera (Lahore Qalandars)Best batter of the tournament – Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators) – 399 runs in 12 matchesBest bowler of the tournament – Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators) – 17 wickets in 12 matchesBest wicket-keeper of the tournament – Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi) – 247 runs & 12 dismissals in 10 matchesBest fielder of the tournament – Abdul Samad (Peshawar Zalmi) – Nine catches in five matchesEmerging player of the tournament – Mohammad Naeem (Lahore Qalandars) – 316 runs and seven catches in 12 matchesBest all-rounder of the tournament – Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators) – 163 runs and 17 wickets in 12 matchesWinner of Spirit of Cricket Award – Peshawar Zalmi

Lahore(SBR): Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman’s blitzy knocks of 65 and 47, respectively helped Lahore Qalandars ace the 191-run chase against Karachi Kings with six wickets in hand in the eliminator 1 of the HBL PSL X here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday night.Lahore Qalandars will now face Islamabad United in the Eliminator 2 on Friday, 23 May at the same venue, while Karachi Kings’ campaign came to an end in HBL PSL X, where they won six matches and lost five. The winner of Eliminator 2 is set to play Quetta Gladiators in the 25 May final. In pursuit of the target, Fakhar and Mohammad Naeem (14, 12b, 1x4, 1x6) put on 42 runs before the latter fell prey to Hasan Ali. Fakhar, who faced 28 balls for his 47, struck five fours and three sixes during his stay on the crease setting the tone for Qalandars’ joint second-highest successful chase in HBL PSL.Abdullah, who walked in to bat in the 5th over, stitched a 33-run stand with Fakhar off 22 balls before taking on the Karachi bowlers aggressively in presence of Kusal Perera (30, 24b, 1x4, 1x6). With Fakhar’s departure in the ninth over, Qalandars were 89-2 at the halfway mark requiring 10.20 runs an over.The duo of Abdullah and Kusal ransacked 67 runs in the next five overs putting the Kings’ bowlers on the back foot before Hasan Ali put an end to the blazing 83-run third-wicket stand.Abdullah, who struck three fours and five sixes, to raise his eighth HBL PSL half-century, fell in the 16th over courtesy a brilliant grab by James Vince.Qalandars chased the total with eight balls in the bag as Bhanuka Rajapaksa hit two fours and a six – the winning shot, in his breezy 12-ball 23 not out. For Karachi Hasan picked up two wickets, while Fawad Ali and Mir Hamza dismissed one batter each.Earlier, Karachi Kings raced to 190-8 with David Warner leading the charge with the bat as he hit 75 during his 15-over stay at the crease. The next best score was no.6 batter Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten 27 as Lahore Qalandars pace attack shared six wickets among them.After Kings opted to bat, Shaheen Shah Afridi drew the first blood for Qalandars removing Tim Seifert for an eight-ball 16 and putting an end to a brisk 43-run stand, which came off 24 balls. Vince, who fell for a nine-ball four, was eked out by Shakib Al Hasan as Kings were 74-2 in seven overs.While Warner kept on jotting runs, Kings lost Saad Baig (11, 11b, 1x4) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (18, 12b, 1x6) in a space of 22 balls. Qalandars’ Mohammad Naeem proved effective against the Australian southpaw dismissing him for a 52-ball 75 inclusive of eight fours and three sixes in the 16th over.That the Kings were able to collect 50 runs off the last five overs, was largely due Khushdil Shah hitting three fours and two sixes in his 14-ball stay, while Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a 12-ball 18-run outing including one six.For Qalandars, Haris Rauf led the way with figures of 4-0-35-3 and Shaheen picked up two wickets.Scores in brief:Match 32: Eliminator 1: Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings by six wickets at Gaddafi StadiumKarachi Kings 190-8, 20 overs (David Warner 75, Khushdil Shah 27 not out; Haris Rauf 3-35, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-47)Lahore Qalandars 191-4, 18.4 overs (Abdullah Shafique 65, Fakhar Zaman 47, Kusal Perera 30, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 23 not out; Hasan Ali 2-37)Player of the match – Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars)Friday’s fixture:Eliminator 2 – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium; 7.30pm PKT

Lahore(May 22, 2025): Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has rejoined the Lahore Qalandars squad after completing his national duty and will be available for selection in the much-anticipated PSL 2025 Eliminator against Karachi Kings.Rishad has made an immediate impression in his debut season with Lahore Qalandars, bringing energy and control to the bowling attack. In just five matches, he had taken 9 wickets at an average of 16.44, highlighting his ability to strike in key moments.His return is a timely boost for the Qalandars as they prepare for a high-stakes encounter in the knockout stage of the tournament. (PR)

Lahore(SBR):Quetta Gladiators on the back of an all-round performance by Faheem Ashraf beat Islamabad United by 30 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday night to qualify for the final of HBL PSL X. The final will take place on Sunday, 25 May. Chasing a target of 209 runs set by the Gladiators in the Qualifier, United lost their in-form opener Alex Hales for no score in the second over to Faheem. After Hales’ dismissal, Sahibzada Farhan was joined by Rassie van der Dussen and the pair stitched a 71-run partnership for the second wicket. Van der Dussen (35 off 23 balls, four fours, two sixes) was the next batter to get dismissed in the ninth over of the innings.Farhan – also the recipient of the Hanif Mohammad Cap, top-scored for his side with a 35-ball 52, hitting eight fours and a six. Besides Farhan, Salman Ali Agha contributed 44 off 26 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Shadab Khan was the only other United batter to reach double figures.The target proved too steep for the defending champions as they were bowled out for 179 in 19.4 overs.For Gladiators, Usman Tariq took three wickets for 32 runs, while Faheem, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jnr claimed two wickets each.Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Gladiators posted 209 for six in their 20 overs. After losing five wickets for 113 in 11.5 overs, Sri Lanka’s international Dinesh Chandimal and Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf came together and knitted a vital 95-run stand for the sixth wicket. The left-handed Faheem was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings after scoring 45 off 23 balls, which included four fours and three sixes.Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and three towering sixes. Opening batter Finn Allen was another notable contributor, scoring 41 off 27 balls with seven fours.For United, Ben Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad picked up two wickets apiece.Despite tonight’s defeat, Islamabad United can still reach the final if they win Eliminator 2, scheduled on 23 May.Scores in brief:Quetta Gladiators beat Islamabad United by 30 runs at Gaddafi StadiumQuetta Gladiators 209-6, 20 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 48, Faheem Ashraf 45, Finn Allen 41, Avishka Fernando 32; Ben Dwarshuis 2-31, Salman Irshad 2-34)Islamabad United 179 all out, 19.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 52, Salman Ali Agha 44, Rassie van der Dussen 35; Usman Tariq 3-32, Mohammad Amir 2-31, Faheem Ashraf 2-33, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-38)Player of the match: Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators)Thursday’s fixture:Eliminator 1 – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium; 7.30pm PKT

Lahore(SBR): Lahore Qalandars have signed Bangladeshi all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz for the play-offs stage of HBL PSL 10. The 27-year-old is expected to join the squad within the next two days.Mehidy replaces Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has left the squad to fulfill national duties with Zimbabwe.Renowned for his sharp off-spin and useful contributions with the bat in the lower order, Mehidy brings valuable international experience and a competitive edge to the Qalandars’ lineup at a decisive point in the tournament.“We’re excited to welcome Mehidy Hasan Miraz to the Qalandars family,” said Sameen Rana, COO and Team Director of Lahore Qalandars. “While we will miss Sikandar’s presence, we fully support his national commitments and are confident that Mehidy will add great value as we push forward in the play-offs.”Lahore Qalandars remain focused and determined as they aim for a strong finish to their HBL PSL 10 campaign.