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Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020

Mehwish Hayat and Hania Aamir join Peshawar Zalmis for a Pashto PSL anthem


The anthem, a rap titled 'Zalmi', has been sung by Fortitude - Pukhtoon Core

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The Peshawar Zalmis are energised for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and they have Mehwish Hayat and Hania Aamir on their team.

This year's track is a Pashto rap by Fortitude - Pukhtoon Core that's bound to get you pumped up and rooting for the team.

Titled 'Zalmi', the track is extremely catchy and has a beat you can move along to. We especially love the lyrics which talk about cricket, how awesome the Peshawar Zalmis are and how in the end, we are all Pakistan. It's all about love for the sport after all!

The video, directed by Hassan Dawar with Amir Mughal on DOP, features Mehwish Hayat and Hania Aamir alongside Peshawar Zalmi team members such as Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali and of course, Darren Sammy.

The PSL kicks off February 20 and we're expecting a performance on this song now.

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Upswing in foreign cricketers for PSL 2020
February 18, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...awn.com/news/1535239&display=popup&ref=plugin

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The return of international cricket has been a slow process in Pakistan following an attack on the Sri Lanka team's bus in Lahore during a test series in 2009. — AP
Security concerns stopped foreign cricketers from touring Pakistan four years ago when the domestic Twenty20 tournament was launched, forcing organisers to stage the event on neutral turf in the United Arab Emirates.

When the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) starts in Karachi on Thursday, Darren Sammy of the West Indies and Shane Watson of Australia will be among 36 foreign cricketers involved in the six franchises.

"Foreign players coming is a huge bonus for us," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan told the Associated Press. "It is a massive step forward because they clearly believe that its safe to be here for four to five weeks."

The return of international cricket has been a slow process following an attack on the Sri Lankan team's bus in Lahore during a test series in 2009.

For this T20 event, the PCB has worked with the Federation of International Cricketers Association and also shared its security plans with foreign stars to make them feel safe.

"We firmly believe that we are in a good position,” Wasim said. "We're delighted there are so many players coming here and its a great endorsement for us as a country."

Cricket went into isolation for more than six years after the attack near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in 2009.

There was a ray of hope in 2015 when Zimbabwe toured for a limited-overs series but it was not enough for Pakistan to host its first PSL tournament the following year,.

In 2017, the PSL final was played at a packed Gaddafi Stadium, in stark contrast to the group-stage matches that were contested in mostly empty venues in the UAE.

Over the next two years, Sri Lanka and the West Indies also played limited-overs matches in the country, and more PSL games were staged in Lahore and Karachi.

The PCB overcame another barrier when it hosted test matches last year in Pakistan for the first time in a decade. Pakistan successfully hosted two tests against Sri Lanka in December and, after a lot of negotiations, last month managed to convince Bangladesh to play a test in Rawalpindi.

All the cricket activities require heavy security surrounding the foreign teams, with the kind of armed security and road closures usually reserved for visiting heads of state.

Visiting players have had virtually no movement outside team hotels or match venues although a few Sri Lankan players went to a shopping mall while they stayed in the federal capital.

But Wasim believes that over time, the blanket security can be eased and players will feel more relaxed.

"Certainly its something that we are looking at," he said. "The more we play at home, the more confidence people have, the better it will become. We certainly can't sustain state-level security.”

"More freedom of movement for visiting players and ensuring costs for security don't overburden federal and local governments has to be balanced," Wasim said, "with making sure we never become complacent and we provide the right level of security".

In a bid to reassure cricket officials from countries such as Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa about the security situation, Pakistan invited the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardians of the laws of cricket, for limited-overs matches in Lahore.

Led by former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, who is also the MCC president, the players have had VIP level security, which is a slightly lower level than that provided to Bangladesh and Sri Lankan squads for recent series.

"MCC have played golf [...] so we've given them a level of freedom which under VIP status you can afford. Certainly that's something that we wish to moving forward as well," Wasim said.

Sangakkara has also backed the country's efforts to resume international cricket.

"Security is always a major concern everywhere in the world," Sangakkara said. "In Pakistan, I think the steps that have been taken over the past few years have instilled great amounts of confidence in cricketing nations beyond the shores of Pakistan and slowly but surely that confidence is building up."

"The more times international sides tour, the stronger that message becomes [making it] harder to ignore."

And Wasim believes the need for Pakistan to host international cricket series in neutral countries is closer to ending.

"There's no reason for us to play anywhere else now," Wasim said. "Cricket has firmly resumed within the country and we fully expect this to be the way moving forward."
 
PSL 2020 trophy unveiled at Karachi's National Stadium

February 19, 2020



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PSL team captains and PCB officials pose with the trophy. — Photo: Twitter
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Squash legend Jahangir Khan and franchise captains pose with the PSL 2020 trophy. — Courtesy Karachi Kings Twitter
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PSL team captains and PCB officials pose with the trophy. — Photo: Twitter
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Squash legend Jahangir Khan and franchise captains pose with the PSL 2020 trophy. — Courtesy Karachi Kings Twitter
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PSL team captains and PCB officials pose with the trophy. — Photo: Twitter

The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 trophy was unveiled at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, in what was the first-ever trophy unveiling ceremony for the tournament on Pakistani soil.

Squash icon Jahangir Khan brought the glittering trophy to the stadium before unveiling it alongside Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani and other officials.

Captains of the PSL franchises and their owners were also present on the occasion.

The trophy has been designed by UK-based based Ottewill Silversmiths. It has a crescent and star representing Pakistan and multi-coloured strips of enamel representing the vibrant culture of the country.

It is 65 centimetres long and weighs eight kilogrammes.



The trophy will be used in all future events of the PSL and the names of every year's winning team will be engraved on it.

The fifth edition of the PSL will be played from Feb 20 to March 22 in four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.

'Incredible' interest
PCB Chairman Mani while addressing media after the ceremony said the promise made by the board to the country was today being fulfilled with the entire PSL being staged in Pakistan.

He thanked Jahangir Khan for unveiling the trophy, saying the spirit of cricket mandates that "excellence should be recognised".

He said the ongoing year was "one of the heaviest seasons in Pakistan cricket's history", with a total of 190 matches having been played.

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The PSL 2020 trophy. — Courtesy PCB


Mani said although the PCB itself was going through a "transitional stage", its focus is "simply to make PCB a professional and highly efficient organisation working completely transparently".

He said the interest surrounding PSL 2020 had been "incredible" around the world, with more than 450 players registering to be considered for the event.

Although only 36 were chosen by the six franchises, "it reflects the confidence of the foreign teams to come and play in Pakistan".

Mani sought to reassure people who he said complain about the "inconvenience" and "expenses" of the league, saying these were short-term issues. He said in the long term the tournament will send a message to the world that "Pakistan is safe to play."

He said the PSL also promotes domestic tourism, with thousands of visitors supporting the local economies of the cities where the matches are held.

Terming PSL Pakistan's "largest cricketing event", Mani revealed that the PCB plans to bid to host International Cricket Council (ICC) events between 2023 and 2031. "We want to show the ICC and all the countries that Pakistan has the capability and depth to hold ICC events," he said, adding that the PCB will bid "aggressively" for the said events.

He also announced that the PCB hopes to hold PSL matches in Peshawar as well next year, if the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa completes the stadium being built for the purpose.

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi thanked the media and the corporate sector for supporting the PSL teams. He said the franchise had put in a request to the president to grant Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy honorary citizenship of Pakistan and requested Mani to pursue it personally so that the application is approved.

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal in his comments said they were waiting for the day when all PSL matches would be held in Pakistan, which has now arrived. He said the players will get to experience the true "home ground feeling" in this year's tournament.
 
PSL 2020: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aima Baig, Sajjad Ali to perform at opening ceremony



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Photo: File

KARACHI: As many as 350 artists will perform at the opening ceremony of PSL 2020, which will be held at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday.

The metropolitan city is expected to be set alight as artists from different music genres – Sufi, pop, rock, bhangra and folk – will come together to perform at what will be the biggest opening ceremony in the history of the HBL PSL.

Thousands of fans in the stadium will be on the edge of their seats and millions around the globe will be glued to their television sets as world renowned artists like Abrar-ul-Haq, Aima Baig, Abu Mohammad, Fareed Ayaz, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajjad Ali, Sanam Marvi and rock band Soch embellish the ceremony with their breath-taking performances.

Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon and Asim Azhar will perform HBL PSL 2020’s anthem "Tayyar Hain". The glittery ceremony, which will be held before the opening match of the tournament between defending champions Quetta Gladiators and two-time champion Islamabad United, will also include riveting acts and a spectacular fireworks show.

“It is only befitting that a grand and glamorous opening ceremony is held to welcome Pakistan’s very own PSL in the country. We have brought together all the top artists in the country to set the tone of what will be an epic tournament," PCB Director Commercial, Babar Hamid, said.

The ceremony, which will be approximately an hour long, will kick-off at 6.45pm. The toss for the first match will be held at 8.30pm, while the much-anticipated first ball of the HBL PSL 2020 will be delivered at 9pm.

Jahangir Khan to bring trophy to stadium

For what will be the first-ever trophy unveiling ceremony on the Pakistani soil, squash legend Jahangir Khan will bring the PSL 2020 trophy at the National Stadium, Karachi, on Wednesday, 19 February, for its unveiling.

Jahangir, in an international-styled ceremony, will carry the silverware to the field of play and hand it over to the defending captain Sarfaraz Ahmed – of Quetta Gladiators – after which the brand new trophy will be unveiled by PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani in the presence of six franchise owners and captains.

For his extraordinary achievements in squash courts all over the world, Jahangir’s name has become synonymous to the game. The great Pakistani athlete holds a record for the longest winning streak for any sportsman with 555 consecutive wins over almost six years.



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My home Town needs a team

Am i not correct to say, What a Marvelous Demonstration of "black money aka haram di kamai"
 
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'Tayyar Hain': PSL 2020 kicks off in Karachi with elaborate show of music, colour and patriotism
February 20, 2020


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Performers decked in neon lights dazzle at the opening ceremony of the PSL 2020 opening ceremony. — DawnNewsTv



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Traditional colours on full display as PSL 2020 opening ceremony. — Photo courtesy PSL Twitter



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Accompanied by a vibrant fireworks display, Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon and Asim Azhar, concluded the festivities with an explosive performance of the PSL 2020 anthem. — DawnNewsTv

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Performers decked in neon lights dazzle at the opening ceremony of the PSL 2020 opening ceremony. — DawnNewsTv

The opening ceremony of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 — the first edition to take place entirely on home ground — took place at Karachi’s National Stadium on Thursday.

Accompanied by a vibrant fireworks display in the background, Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Haroon and Asim Azhar, concluded the festivities with an explosive performance of the PSL 2020 anthem Tayyar Hain, before clearing the field for the first match of the tournament between the Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.

The show began with the national anthem, before a small army of drummers and trumpeters, dressed in the national colours, kicked the ceremony into high gear by performing an instrumental version of the official PSL 2020 anthem.

Taking the stage after the performance, singer Fakhre Alam invited Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to say a few words.

Congratulating the people of Karachi, the chief minister stated that in the past, he had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stage at least a single match in Karachi.

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Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. — DawnNewsTV


"But it was not possible at the time," he said, adding that the credit for the opening ceremony goes entirely to the people of Karachi. Thanking the PCB, he called for the people to show the world the true spirit of Karachi.

Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani stated that in 2019 the board had promised that the entirety of the tournament will be staged in Pakistan, and today the board has fulfilled that promise.

"Next year, we will try to include Peshawar in the league," he said, adding that the entire credit for the league goes to cricket lovers residing in Pakistan.

Thanking the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh, as well as law enforcement agencies, the chairman said that none of this would have been possible without their cooperation.

Mani also welcomed foreign players to the country, and called on the people to send a message to the world that "Pakistan is ready".

The first performance of the night, a dazzling display of local talent and tradition, was a Sufi medley featuring singer Sanam Marvi, qawwals Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad, and the band Soch.

Taking the stage, pop singer Sajjad Ali performed a mashup of his greatest hits, including Babia and Soni Lag Di, to a packed stadium.


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Aima Baig performs at the PSL 2020 ceremony. — DawnNewsTV


Taking things up a notch, Aima Baig, accompanied by performers brandishing umbrellas decked with neon lights, won the crowd over with her upbeat song.

Following these performances, Fakhre Alam called the representatives of all the PSL teams, including "honorary" Pakistani Darren Sammy, to the stage to take an oath to "follow and respect the rules of the league and to play with respect and integrity, endeavouring to serve as role models for people around the world".



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Singer Abrarul Haq. — DawnNewsTV


Following the oath, singer Abrarul Haq, dubbed the "undisputed king of bhangra" by the hosts, had the crowd on their feet as he jumped off the stage onto an awaiting rickshaw-type vehicle, urging the people to show their enthusiasm.



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Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. DawnNewsTV


But, perhaps the most awaited performance of the night was that of qawwal Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who did exactly what he does best by belting his heart out in front of an adoring crowd.

The tournament will be the biggest draw in the country for the next four weeks.

Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan will share 34 matches featuring the six franchise-based teams. The remaining four sides are the 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans.
 
Was watching PSL on Willow TV indians kept showing their own IPL commercial in middle of PSL league
and then to top it off , the last over the broadcast died

When it started match was over

Rediculous

Difference between PTV and Willow TV broadcast was higher HD content on Willow TV but the , end botch of broadcast not happy how the stream died in key moment

Too bad the broadcaste for PTV is not 1080p or higher definition , it was pretty good on Willow TV
 
Azam, Hasnain lead Gladiators to victory over United
Khalid H. Khan
Updated February 21, 2020

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Islamabad United bat against Quetta Gladiators.—Tahir Jamal / White Star


KARACHI: The opening fixture of the fifth HBL Pakistan Super League on Thursday had everything to entertain a rather disappointing crowd at the National Stadium after a lackluster music show.

The night finally culminated in a blaze of fireworks on the back of a remarkable knock by Azam Khan as Quetta Gladiators launched their defence of the title with a scrappy three-wicket victory over two-time former champions Islamabad United.

Azam, the 21-year-old son of ex-Pakistan captain and Quetta head coach Moin Khan, displayed amazing power-hitting to rescue his side from a precarious 26-3 with a brilliant contribution of 59 in only his second T20 appearance. The Gladiators got over the line with nine balls to spare.

The stocky right-hander replicated former Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq with a series of power-packed strokes to strike five fours and three sixes during his 33-ball knock. He added 62 in 40 deliveries with captain Sarfraz Ahmed (21) and 40 in 18 with Mohammad Nawaz (23 off 13) before Ben Cutting brought smiles in the Quetta dugout by effortlessly lifting new Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan over the long off fence for the winning stroke.

Earlier, a devastating spell by pacer Mohammad Hasnain put Islamabad United on the back foot from the start of their innings. His fearsome pace and nagging length brought him a match-winning haul of 4-25 and the Man of the Match award . He was ably supported by Cutting (3-31). The Hasnain-Cutting duo triggered a dramatic Islamabad United collapse after Sarfraz stuck to his formula of bowling first upon winning the toss. The opening ceremony forced the game to start 5 minutes late.

Dawid Malan, the 30-year-old South African-born England left-hander, bludgeoned the first individual half-century of PSL V with a monstrous hit against T20 debutant spinner Abdul Nasir over the midwicket boundary.

But Quetta continued to chip away as Islamabad kept losing momentum, both in terms of the run rate and wickets. A position of ascendancy soon descended into a tale of despondency as the two-time champions nosedived from 106-2 after 11 overs to 168 all out at the beginning of the final over. They lost the last eight wickets for an addition of just 62 runs.

Malan’s innings of 62 off 40 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and three sixes, was terminated by Cutting, the Australian seamer who forced the left-hander to loft a catch to Roy inside the long-off boundary in the 15th over.

And the only significant partnership was provided by Malan and Hussain Talat, who together put on 68 in 44 balls for the fourth wicket.

The blooper on the first night of the competition came during the very second ball of the second half when umpire Faisal Afridi marked his PSL debut by not adjudging Jason Roy out, only to find his verdict overturned after Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan asked for a review.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2020
 
PSL 2020:

Peshawar Zalmi go down fighting against Karachi Kings




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KARACHI: Despite a brave effort by aggressive batsman Liam Livingstone and captain Darren Sammy, Peshawar Zalmi went down fighting as Karachi Kings emerged victorious by ten runs in the final over in the second match of the Pakistan Super League 2020 here at the National Stadium on Friday.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi stumbled in their bid to chase down an impressive 202-runs target handed to them by the Karachi Kings after they were put into bat by the 'Yellow Storm' earlier on Friday at the National Stadium in Karachi.

In-form Babar Azam top scored with 78 from 56 balls while skipper Imad Wasim blasted a 30-ball 50 to help the Kings set Peshawar Zalmi a daunting target of 202.

Zalmi then lost two early wickets to Kings' Chris Jordan, who took down Tom Banton (13 off 13) and Haider Ali (4 off 3) in the third over of the innings.

Zalmi were 39 for the loss of 2 at the end of the fifth over, with Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik at the crease.

It seemed hard for Zalmi to bounce back after Delport bowled the in-form and dangerous Kamran Akmal. With four wickets down and a required run-rate that seems to be becoming steeper with each over, winning the match will prove an uphill task for Zalmi.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi had won the toss and decided to field first in the second match of the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), being hosted at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Babar Azam looked in supreme touch and scored half century, helping his team set a big target for the opponents.

Sharjeel Khan hit a couple of sixes before scooping one to Hassan Ali at long on. Cameron Delport too was in aggressive mode and scored 20 runs.

For live streaming visit the Geo Super website at: Geosuper.tv

Peshawar Zalmi are one-time winners of the PSL, as they won the coveted PSL trophy in the second edition in 2017. They have been the runners-up for the last two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019.

On the other side, Karachi Kings have not been able to win the tournament nor have they ever been runners-up. They achieved the fourth position in the first and the fourth editions, in 2016 and 2019, and were placed third in two successive editions, 2017 and 2018.

In today's match, both teams are balanced, but the Zalmi are looking a better side on the basis of their past performance, with one trophy and two second spots in the tournament.

Addressing a presser before the match, captains of both sides expressed their confidence of getting off to a winning start. “The pitches in Pakistan create a lot of excitement and I see the best bowling team will win this tournament,” said Sammy.

“No doubt Peshawar are a very good side but we also have a solid combination and we will try to deliver tomorrow,” Imad told a news conference on Thursday.

Karachi Kings: Chadwick Walton, Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Cameron Delport, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Amir, Chris Jordan and Arshad Iqbal.

Peshawar Zalmi: Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Kamran Akmal, Haider Ali, Mohammad Mohsin, Shoaib Malik, Darren Sammy, Liam Dawson, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and Rahat Ali.
 
Quality of Cricket and competition is far better in PSL than in any other league in the world.
 
Kamral Akmal hits first PSL 5 ton as Peshawar Zalmi clinch 6-wicket victory over Gladiators

February 22, 2020



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Captain Darren Sammy, after winning the toss, said that the pitch has been favouring bowlers and thus the team will bowl first. — DawnNewsTV

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Gladiators' Shane Watson was the first casualty of the day. — PSL Twitter

Peshawar Zalmi clinched a 6-wicket victory over the Quetta Gladiators in the fourth match of the Pakistan Super League 2020 at Karachi's National Stadium on Saturday.

Zalmi star Kamran Akmal scored the first century of the tournament, getting 101 runs from 54 balls on the scoreboard before stumbling on the 55th delivery.


PakistanSuperLeague

✔@thePSLt20

· 1h

Replying to @thePSLt20
Time as always for our #AwamiPressConference. Kamran Akmal will be speaking for @PeshawarZalmi. Send in your questions in a reply to this tweet. #QGvPZ #HBLPSLV


PakistanSuperLeague

✔@thePSLt20


Player of the match - - KAMRAN AKMAL#QGvPZ #HBLPSLV




The Gladiators had set Zalmi a 149-run target at the end of the first innings.

Jason Roy was the highest scorer for the Gladiators taking 73 runs from 57 balls not out, keeping a steady head till the end of the first innings.

Gladiators' Shane Watson was the first casualty early on in the day, managing to score only eight runs from 10 balls before being sent back to the pavilion by Wahab Riaz. Meanwhile, Ahmed Shehzad was also sent packing, scoring 12 runs from 12 balls.


PeshawarZalmi

✔@PeshawarZalmi


ITS ALL OVER
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ZALMI WIN #PSLClasico WITH A HUGE SIX BY @liaml4893
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@HuaweiMobilePK #Zalmi #YellowStorm #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain




Peshawar Zalmi had earlier won the toss and decided to field first in the fourth game of Pakistan Super League 2020.

Captain Darren Sammy, after winning the toss, said that the pitch has been favouring bowlers and thus the team will bowl first.

Gladiators' captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said that he would have chosen to bowl first as well, but that his team would try and put up a big total and defend it in the second innings.

Teams
Peshawar Zalmi

  • Tom Banton
  • Liam Livingstone
  • Kamran Akmal
  • Haider Ali
  • Mohammad Mohsin
  • Shoaib Malik
  • Darren Sammy
  • Liam Dawson
  • Wahab Riaz
  • Hasan Ali
  • Rahat Ali
Quetta Gladiators

  • Jason Roy
  • Ahmed Shehzad
  • Shane Watson
  • Abdul Nasir
  • Sarfaraz Ahmed (C and wk)
  • Mohammad Nawaz
  • Ben Cutting, Azam Khan
  • Sohail Khan
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Fawad Ahmed
 

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