Sports Bulletin

Multan Sultans trounce Quetta Gladiators by 79 runs, Mohammad Rizwan stars in Karachi Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Multan Sultans overpowered Quetta Gladiators by 79 runs at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday night and confirmed their place in the Qualifier of the HBL PSL Season 9 and will face Peshawar Zalmi on March 14, 2024 at 9 pm.Batting first, Multan scored 185-4 on the back of half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Johnson Charles. Multan Sultans’ opening batters, Yasir Khan and Mohammad Rizwan could only manage a 16-run opening stand with the former caught behind for 12 on 11, with two fours, in the third over, after Gladiators opted to field first.What followed was a 52-run second-wicket stand as Usman Khan joined Rizwan in the middle to bring stability to Multan’s innings after the early wicket. In the fifth over, Rizwan hit a six while Usman hit two consecutive fours to get the scoreboard moving. Sultans ended the powerplay at 43-1.In the 10th over, Usman (21, 23b, 3x4s) was stunned by Abrar Ahmed, who bowled a magic delivery to outfox the right-hand batter. Johnson Charles, the next batter in, partnered with Rizwan for the longest partnership of the innings; yielding 68 from 43 deliveries. Charles, who contributed 32 from 19 to the partnership, played the aggressor role.In the 14th over, Rizwan brought up his 64th T20 half-century, doing so off 35 deliveries. The next two overs, which yielded 12 each, saw Rizwan hit a six while Charles powered the ball to the boundary twice. In the 17th over, Mohammad Amir dismissed Rizwan (69, 47b, 1x4, 4x6s) after he mistimed a leg-cutter, which was caught by the Quetta skipper, Rilee Rossouw.The fourth-wicket partnership between Charles and Iftikhar Ahmed propelled Multan to a comfortable total, after the two added 46 off just 18, with the last three overs yielding 42 runs. Mohammad Wasim Jnr removed Charles (53, 29b, 6x4s, 3x6s) on the fourth ball of the final over, after the batter had brought up his 36th T20 half-century off 27 balls. Iftikhar (20, 8b, 2x4s, 1x6) remained unbeaten at the other end, after pushing the Sultans total to 185-4. Amir bagged two wickets while Abrar and Wasim had one each.In return, Quetta Gladiators had a horror start to the chase as they lost four early wickets. In the third over, David Willey first trapped Jason Roy (3, 7b) leg-before on the second ball. Then, the last delivery of the over saw Saud Shakeel (14, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) being run out by Yasir who perfected his aim at the stumps from backward point, with the Quetta opener halfway down the crease.Rossouw (10, 9b, 2x4s) hit two fours in the next over to keep the scoreboard moving, however, lost his wicket on the final ball of the fifth over when Willey rattled the Quetta skipper’s stumps. Quetta finished the powerplay at 46-3. Trouble deepened when Laurie Evans (1, 2b), the next batter in, was caught by Chris Jordan at short midwicket off Abbas Afridi, leaving Gladiators 47-4.Then, Khawaja Nafay joined Omair bin Yousuf on the crease for a 26-run fifth-wicket partnership. He hit a four on the last ball of the seventh over. In the following over, Omair produced one four while Nafay smashed a six. Quetta got to 73-4 at the halfway mark. On the first ball of the 11th over, Nafay (16, 14b, 1x4, 1x6) was pinned leg-before wicket by Mohammad Ali after Multan reviewed the on-field decision.Omair managed to score 37 off 25, on the back of three fours and two maximums, before he was caught by Jordan in the 12th over, providing Usama Mir his 19th HBL PSL 9 wicket. In the next over, Akeal Hosein edged to Rizwan behind the stumps as Abbas got his second wicket of the innings. Hosein walked back for a-run-a-ball six, as the batting collapse continued. Usama rattled Amir’s (3, 6b) stumps to bring Quetta eight down in the 14th over, with only 99 runs on the board.Abrar was caught behind for a two-ball duck as Multan inched closer to joining Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL PSL 9 qualifier. Usama picked up the final wicket as Quetta were bundled up for 106, the lowest total of HBL PSL 9. Willey and Usama registered identical figures of three for 22 in four overs, while Abbas picked up two wickets. Ali also dismissed a batter.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi have raced to the top position on the points table, after eking out a two-run win against Karachi Kings at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday night.Zalmi defended their 147-run total successfully, as the Kings agonizingly fell two runs short, scoring 145-5 in the allotted 20 overs. In doing so, Zalmi also registered the record for the lowest total successfully defended in HBL PSL history at Karachi.Karachi’s pursuit of the 148-run target started solidly as opening batters, James Vince and Tim Seifert, put on a 61-run opening partnership. The powerplay yielded 44 runs, with Seifert being the aggressor. Vince struggled to get off the blocks during his stay at the crease, which was cut short in the ninth over by Naveen-ul-Haq, as he returned for a sluggish 21 off 27 balls on the back of four boundaries.In the next over, Saim outfoxed Shan Masood (0, 2b) with a brilliant ball that turned just enough to hit the off-stump, leaving the batter stunned. At the halfway mark Kings required 84 with Shoaib Malik and Seifert on the crease. In the 11th over Seifert was pinned leg-before wicket against Aamir Jamal, for 41 off 30 balls, comprising eight boundaries.Shoaib and Mohammad Irfan Khan joined forces to stitch a crucial 49-run fourth-wicket partnership off 41 balls, keeping Zalmi on their toes. With 35 required off the last three overs, Naveen bowled Shoaib in the 17th over, who walked back after scoring 22 off 25 balls comprising one four.Luke Wood bowled a fine penultimate over conceding just eight and also dismissing the dangerous Kieron Pollard for a paltry one run. Aamir faced with the challenge of defending 17 runs in the last over, gave away 13 runs off the first five balls as Anwar Ali got off strike.Irfan (39 not out, 26b, 7x4s) needed to hit four off the last ball to earn a consolation win for the Kings. Aamir nailed a yorker as Irfan tried to make room while shuffling to the leg side and missed the ball, taking just one bye off it as Zalmi won the game by a mere two runs. Naveen bagged two wickets while Wood, Aamir and Saim picked up one each.Earlier, the opening duo of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub put on another show of delightful batting after Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first. They brought up 54 runs at the end of the powerplay. Zahid Mahmood, bowling the seventh over, got rid of Saim (19, 18b, 3x4s) as he turned one prodigiously from outside off to rattle the stumps, bringing an end to the 55-run opening stand.Zalmi notched 75 runs for the loss of one wicket by the halfway mark as Babar played some fluent shots on a turning track. In the following over, Mohammad Haris (13, 11b, 2x4s) was undone by Hasan Ali as Arafat Minhas took an easy catch behind point. Left-hand batter Haseebullah (1, 5b) too failed to make his mark as Arafat bagged his maiden HBL PSL wicket with Irfan pouching the ball at deep midwicket leaving Zalmi 83-3 after 12.1 overs.In the 14th over, Babar took apart Zahid’s leg-spin by hitting him for a six and four to bring up his fifth HBL PSL 9 half-century. Later in the same over, he failed to make his ground at the non-striker’s end while attempting a second run and had to return for 51 off 46 balls, comprising five boundaries and a solitary six.On a tricky wicket, Zalmi could only manage 43 runs off the last five overs courtesy Rovman Powell’s 30 off 18 balls, on the back of three boundaries while Aamir chipped in with an unbeaten eight off seven balls. Arafat, making his HBL PSL debut, bowled the most economical spell of the tournament, returning with a wicket for just 11 runs in four overs, as Karachi bowlers conceded 147-6 in the 20 overs with Sams, Zahid and Hasan bagging one scalp each.

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United’s Naseem Shah has been fined 10 percent of match fee for a level 1 breach of the HBL PSL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during his side’s HBL PSL 9 fixture against Multan Sultans at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.Naseem was charged for violating Article 2.2 which deals with abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings. Naseem had kicked the stumps after the final ball of Multan Sultans’ innings.Since Naseem pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama, there was no need of a formal hearing. The charge was imposed by on-field umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Muhammad Asif.Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the same match, Multan Sultans were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate. Sultans were ruled to be one over short of their target by match referee Roshan Mahanama, who took into consideration time allowances before arriving at the decision.As such, and in accordance with Article 2.22 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, each player was fined 10 percent of his match fee.

Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars by six wickets at National Stadium KarachiSports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Quetta Gladiators secured their spot for the HBL PSL 9 playoffs after they defeated Lahore Qalandars by six wickets at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday night. After restricting Lahore to 166-4 in the first innings, vice-captain Saud Shakeel produced a brilliant unbeaten knock of 88 runs that allowed Quetta to edge over Lahore in the last-ball thriller.Lahore Qalandars could only manage to post 166-4 on the board after choosing to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan and Mirza Tahir Baig gave a decent start to their team; after Farhan hit a four on the first delivery of the game, the two took turns breaching the boundary periodically in the third, fourth and fifth overs.Abrar Ahmed, introduced in the sixth over, removed Farhan (25, 22b, 4x4s) on the third ball and then Tahir (12, 13b, 1x6) on the last delivery to bring Lahore down to 39-2 by the end of the powerplay.Abdullah Shafique, batting at three, hit two consecutive fours against Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the seventh over to recover the damage. He then hit a boundary against Abrar in the next over. Shai Hope, who could only manage five off seven, was caught behind in the 10th over off Wasim’s bowling as Lahore got to 70-3 at the halfway mark.Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted himself up the order, taking the responsibility of boosting his side’s total. The fourth-wicket partnership between Abdullah and Shaheen yielded 91 from 57, helping the team establish a sense of control over the innings.After four quiet overs, Shaheen took on Akeal Hosein by smashing three sixes in the 15th over. An over later, he hit two sixes against Abrar to get to his second HBL PSL half-century.In the 18th over, Abdullah (59 not out, 39b, 3x4s, 2x6s) also completed his second consecutive half-century of HBL PSL 9 in style as he hit a six against Hosein on the fourth delivery.In the last over, Sohail Khan caught the ball on his second attempt while fielding at deep third to help Amir dismiss Shaheen, who had to walk back for 55 on 34, on the back of two fours and four sixes. The final over only produced six runs as Lahore finished with a competitive total.Abrar had two wickets, while Amir and Wasim had one each.Jason Roy and Saud Shakeel gave Quetta Gladiators a 39-run opening stand after the former hit Shaheen three consecutive fours on the first three balls of the innings.Jahandad Khan, bowling the sixth over, provided the breakthrough as Roy (18, 14b, 4x4s) was caught behind. Quetta ended the powerplay at 43-1.Saud was joined by his captain, Rilee Rossouw, in the middle for a 27-run second-wicket stand which was broken by Jahandad on the last ball of the ninth over. Rossouw walked back for 13 off 11, with the help of one four.The Quetta captain, however, became the first foreign batter to complete 2000 HBL PSL runs and the fifth overall, only behind Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan.Khawaja Nafay and Saud produced a dogged third-wicket stand, that yielded 70 from 53, to reestablish Quetta’s control over the game after the two initial wickets. In the 13th over, Saud brought his second HBL PSL 9 half-century, taking 42 deliveries to do so.The partnership was eventually broken by Shaheen, who trapped Nafay (26, 24b, 1x6) leg-before wicket in the 18th over. Quetta required 29 from the final two overs, with Saud and Laurie Evans on the crease. Jahandad conceded 15 in the penultimate over courtesy of a four by Evans and a six by Saud to bring the equation to 14 needed from the final six deliveries.Shaheen removed Evans (7, 4b, 1x4) on the first ball of the final over as Tahir took a spectacular diving catch at deep cover point. Saud then hit two consecutive boundaries, inching closer to the target.With four needed off the final ball, Wasim, the sixth batter in, hit a six to help his team over the rope. Saud (88, 65b, 5x4s, 4x6s) remained unbeaten at the other end as Quetta cruised to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Jahandad and Shaheen picked up two wickets each.

Winners Islamabad United batters achieve a mammoth total of 229 runs in 19.2 oversAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United (IU) thrashed Multan Sultans (MS) by 3 wickets in an HBL PSL cricket fixture after conquering a huge target of 229 runs in 19.2 overs here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday in a nerve-jangling contest. Overseas player from New Zealand, representing Islamabad United Colin Munro (84 runs, 40 balls, 4x9, 6x5) was the hero of the day.Islamabad United’s captain Shahdab Khan won the toss and elected to field first. Multan Sultan scored 228 for 4 runs in 20 overs per innings fixture. Usman Khan played a sparking knock of 100 runs in 50 balls with a strike rate of 200% and was the main contributor to his team’s reasonable total of 228 runs. He showed excellent batting, as he hit 13 fours and 3 huge sixes. Johnson Charles made 42 runs in 18 balls and smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes, Yasir Khan scored 33 for 16 runs with the help of 4 fours and 2 best sixes, Mohammad Rizwan could score only 20 off 17 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. Faheem Ashraf took 2 wickets, Hunain Shah and Naseem Shah snared one batter each.Islamabad United scored 232 runs with great success and wasted 7 batters in 19.2 overs. For Islamabad United Colin Munro was the top scorer with 84 for 40 runs. The left-handed batter hit 9 brilliant fours and 5 sixes. Skipper Shadab Khan scored 54 runs off 34 balls, as his inning was laced with 6 fours and 2 big sixes, Imad wasim could made 30 runs in 13 balls including 3 fours and 1 six and Farheen Ashraf made 23 runs with 2 fours and 1 six. Abbas Afridi took 3 wickets off 40 runs, Mohammad Ali claimed 2 wickets while David Willey got only one wicket in his 4 overs by conceding 30 runs.Summarized Scorecard:Islamabad United won the toss and decided to field firstMan of the Match: Colin Munro (Islamabad United)Multan Sultan (Batting) 228 for 4 runs in 20 oversUsman Khan (100 runs, 50 balls, 4x15,6x3), Johnson Charles (42 runs, 18 balls, 4x3, 6x3), Yasir Khan (33 runs, 16 balls,4x4, 6x2), Mohammad Rizwan (20 runs, 17 balls, 4x2, 6x1)Islamabad United (Bowling):Faheem Ashraf (2 for 32), Hunain Shah (1 for 29), Naseem Shah (1 for 31)Islamabad United (Batting) 232 for 7 runs in 19.2 oversColin Munro (84 runs, 40 balls, 4x9, 6x5), Shadab Khan (54 runs, 34 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Imad Wasim (30 runs, 13 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Farheen Ashraf (23 runs, 14 balls, 4x2, 6x1)Multan Sultan (Bowling)Abbas Afridi (3 for 40), Mohammad Ali (2 for 44), David Willey (1 for 30)Islamabad United (Playing XIs): Agha Salman, Azam Khan (Wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan (Captain), Haider AliMultan Sultan (Playing XIs): Abbas Afridi, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Yasir Khan, David WillyMatch Officials:Umpires: Mohammad Asif (Pakistan), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka)TV Umpire: Ahsan RazaReserve Umpire: Asif YaqoobMatch Referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)Scorers: Shakil Ahmed, Zeeshan Khan

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Multan Sultans set 229 runs target for Islamabad United (IU) to win the match of the HBL match at Pindi Cricket Stadium here today (Sunday).Islamabad United (Playing XIs): Agha Salman, Azam Khan (Wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Tymal Mills, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan (Captain), Haider AliMultan Sultan (Playing XIs): Abbas Afridi, Johnson Charles, Iftikhar Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Yasir Khan, David Willy

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Islamabad United (IU) captain Shahdab Khan won the toss and asked rival team Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan to bat first in PSL HBL match at Pindi Cricket Stadium here today (Sunday).Islamabad United (Squad): Agha Salman, Azam Khan, Jordan Cox, Tom Curran, Faheem Ashraf, Matthew Forde, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Obed McCoy, Tymal Mills, Mohammad Waseem, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Qasim Akram, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid ShahMultan Sultan (Squad): Abbas Afridi, Aftab Ibrahim, Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper), Faisal Akram, Reeza Hendricks, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Chris Jordan, Khushdil Shah, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Shahzad, Shahnawaz Dahani, Olly Stone, Tayyab Tahir, Reece Topley, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, David Willey, Yasir Khan

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The match between Islamabad United (IU) and Multan Sultans (MS) will roll into cation at 2 pm at Pindi Cricket Stadium here today (Sunday).Islamabad United (Squad): Agha Salman, Azam Khan, Jordan Cox, Tom Curran, Faheem Ashraf, Matthew Forde, Alex Hales, Hunain Shah, Imad Wasim, Obed McCoy, Tymal Mills, Mohammad Waseem, Colin Munro, Naseem Shah, Qasim Akram, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid ShahMultan Sultan (Squad): Abbas Afridi, Aftab Ibrahim, Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper), Faisal Akram, Reeza Hendricks, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Chris Jordan, Khushdil Shah, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Shahzad, Shahnawaz Dahani, Olly Stone, Tayyab Tahir, Reece Topley, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, David Willey, Yasir Khan

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: hosts Karachi Kings defeated Lahore Qalandars by three wickets, as they registered their fourth win of HBL PSL 9 at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Saturday night. Batting first, Lahore posted 177-5. In return, Karachi chased the total on the last ball of the final over, keeping their chances for playoffs alive.The home side won the toss and elected to field first. Opening batter Mirza Tahir Baig (4, 7b), replacing Sahibzada Farhan, lost his wicket cheaply as he fell to Anwar Ali in the third over.Abdullah Shafique joined Fakhar Zaman in the middle to construct a 70-run partnership that stabilized Lahore’s innings. Fakhar got to work in the powerplay, hitting a six and a four in the fourth over and then a boundary in the sixth to help the side get to 44-1 at the end of the powerplay.Fakhar and Abdullah then hit a six each against Shoaib Malik in the ninth over, milking 15 runs from it. Shortly after, Fakhar was run out as Muhammad Irfan Khan perfected his throw at the stumps from midwicket. The left-handed batter walked back in the 11th over after scoring his first half-century (54, 35b, 5x4s, 2x6s) of HBL PSL 9.In the next over, Abdullah and Shai Hope hit a boundary each against Zahid to keep the scoreboard ticking. Zahid bowled a double-wicket over, taking out Hope (9, 11b, 1x4) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1, 3b) for single-digit scores with the scorecard reading 122-4 after 15 overs.Abdullah brought up his first half-century of HBL PSL 9 in the 16th over. In the subsequent over, he was caught at deep square by Anwar off Blessing Muzarabani and had to walk back for a dogged 55 on 39, on the back of five boundaries and a solitary six.An unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership, producing 46 on 20, between David Wiese and Sikandar Raza helped Lahore end with a competitive total of 177-5. Wiese, who hit three sixes, contributed an undefeated 24 on nine. Raza chipped in with an undefeated 22 on 16, with two fours and a six. Zahid had two wickets while Anwar and Muzarabani had one each.Tim Seifert and James Vince, opening the batting for Karachi, gave their side an inspiring start with 58 runs amassed in the powerplay. After seeing off Shaheen’s first over, the two took on Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti to produce 17 in the second over on the back of two fours and a six. They followed that up with at least a boundary each in the remaining powerplay overs.Tayyab Abbas provided the breakthrough for Lahore, with Vince caught behind for 42 off 27, on the back of six fours and one maximum. Shan Masood, batting at three, managed to add 24 from 16 with the help of three fours, before Raza disturbed his stumps with a stunning delivery in the 12th over, breaking the 40-run second-wicket stand. In the next over, Pollard was caught behind after nicking one off Tayyab and returned for a paltry five-ball three.In the 15th over, Seifert (36, 33b, 2x4s) was run out as a result of confusion in the middle, with both the batters at the non-striker’s end as Kings required 65 off 34 balls. Shaheen conceded 15 in the 17th over, courtesy of three fours by Irfan. In the next over, Shoaib hit two cracking fours against Zaman, inching closer to the target.In the penultimate over, Shaheen rattled Irfan’s (35, 16b, 6x4s) stumps, breaking the 52-run partnership to bring Karachi five down. Defending eight in the last over, Zaman caught and bowled Anwar Ali (1, 3b) on the first ball of the over. Arafat Minhas was then run out by Raza on the third ball, to bring the equation to six needed off three.Shoaib (27 not out, 17b, 4x4s) hit a four on the final delivery to help Karachi win the close encounter. Tayyab bagged two wickets, while Shaheen, Zaman and Sikandar picked up one each.Scorecard in brief:Lahore Qalandars 177-5, 20 overs (Abdullah Shafique 55, Fakhar Zaman 54; Zahid Mahmood 2-27)Karachi Kings 179-7, 20 overs (James Vince 42, Tim Seifert 36, Muhammad Irfan Khan 35; Tayyab Abbas 2-23)Upcoming fixtures:Islamabad United v Multan Sultans at Pindi Cricket Stadium (2pm)Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Stadium, Karachi (7pm)