Pakistan Super League (PSL) Second Edition-News, Updates and Discussions

[Zibago]

@Moonlight @PaklovesTurkiye @The Sandman @Hell hound @Moonlight @krash
Listen to the Sheikh

 

[Hell hound]

View attachment 375204
@Moonlight @PaklovesTurkiye @The Sandman @Hell hound @Moonlight @krash
Listen to the Sheikh

shiekho to wasey hi chado chado khelney ka mahir hay

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Last time around they had turning track for group stages which Zalmi Dominated , and then they changed the formula to track suited for fast bowlers in final stages were all the spinners were rather tamed.

There needs to be a much better balance

 

[Devil Soul]

Bans and injuries: Players who will miss this year's PSL
DAWN SPORT — UPDATED 17 minutes ago
WHATSAPP
0 COMMENTS
PRINT

Scenes from PSL's inaugural edition. —PCB


After a successful first season in 2016, the Pakistan Super League is going to be kicking off again this Feb 9.

Despite being organised on foreign soil, interference from champions’ league, and various other legal and financial challenges, the first season proved to be a big success both in Dubai and back home in Pakistan.

From Feb 9 onwards, the PSL will see millions of cricket lovers glued to their television sets for what shall be a spectacular display of T20 cricket. This time around, however, some exciting players will be missing in action.

First in the line of such sportsmen is Andre Russell of West Indies. Russell is serving a one year ban, after results of his dope test came out ‘positive'.

Andre Russell

Andre Russell. — AP


Andre Russell, considered a match-winning T20 cricketer, had represented Islamabad United in the first season of PSL.

In the 2016 season, the all-rounder bagged 16 wickets, winning the title of ‘best bowler’. His performance contributed greatly to Islamabad United's eventual triumph.

Apart from being a star bowler, he is also an exceptional fielder and an aggressive batsman, who can conveniently hit huge sixes in the concluding overs to shift the match in his team’s favour.

In this years draft, Islamabad United replaced Andre Russell with Steven Finn of England. The defending champions are surely going to miss Russell’s presence, but Finn, too, is one to watch out for.

Dwayne Bravo

D.J Bravo. — AFP


Another big West Indian name who is going to be missing out on this year's action is Dwayne Bravo. Bravo, who suffered from a hamstring injury in Australia’s Big Bash League, is currently on a post-surgery recovery schedule. It seems, the "champion" is going to be out of the cricket field for quite a while.

Bravo, who like Russell is considered a match-winning player in league cricket, was out-of-form in PSL’s first edition, and couldn’t perform as expected. He failed in putting up a good show in bowling as well as batting. His team Lahore Qalandars generally did not have a great season as they struggled from their very first match.

This year, in place of Bravo, Lahore Qalandars have chosen Jason Roy, an English opener who is known for his aggressive batting. Roy will be playing alongside New Zealand’s big hitter, Brendon McCullum.

Bradd Hodge

Brad Hodge. — AFP


‘T20 specialist’ Brad Hodge has played a number of private leagues around the world and has 270 T20 matches under his belt.

In the first PSL season, Hodge could play only four matches for Peshawar Zalmi. After consecutively failing to perform in the initial matches, he made a comeback in the last group match scoring a crucial 85 runs, including four sixes and six fours - all in 45 deliveries.

Peshawar Zalmi did not show any interest in the 42 year-old batsmen for this year's tournament. Seeing an opportunity, Quetta Gladiators picked Hodge for their team, replacing Moin Ali, who had excused himself from this season due to his pilgrimage plans.

As it turned out, Hodge too ended up distancing himself from the tournament. His wife, Megan Hodge, is battling cancer and the gentleman decided it was best if he was by her side.

Quetta Gladiators subsequently opted for Bangladeshi all-rounder Mahmud-ullah as a replacement for the unavailable Australian batsman.

Shaun Tait

Shaun Tait. — AFP


Shaun Tait is one of the fastest bowlers in the international cricket circuit right now. He was one of Peshawar Zalmi's star bowlers in the first edition of PSL.

With his terrifyingly quick bowling, Tait bagged 10 wickets in the nine matches he played.

He was picked by Lahore Qalandars for this year’s edition, but Tait, who has played 192 T20 matches, recently suffered a shoulder injury in the Australian Big Bash League and therefore won’t be seen in action for quite some time.

Australian off-spinner Chris Green is set to replace him for Lahore Qalandars.

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi. – AP


The Afghan's inclusion in Quetta Gladiators playing eleven in the first season’s finale against Islamabad United perplexed observers and spectators alike. But Nabi, with his electrifying performance, proved himself in a matter of a few overs.

Nabi, who is a bit of a bowler too, couldn’t bag a lot of wickets but along with Mohammad Nawaz and Zulfiqar Babar, formed a trio that adequately kept the pressure going on rival teams.

Mohammad Nabi will be unavailable for this edition because of a series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

Mushfiqur Rahim

Mushfiqur Rahim. —AP


Bangladeshi wicket-keeper and batsman, Rahim represented Karachi Kings in three matches in last year’s season but couldn’t prove to be a worthy addition. For the upcoming season, he simply wasn’t picked by any franchise.

James Vince

James Vince. — AFP


Karachi Kings had picked James Vince, looking at his exceptional performance in the English county, but the Hampshire batsman didn't quite meet the team's expectations in the seven matches he played.

He scored only 111 runs, with his highest being 44. Karachi Kings felt it was better to do away with the expensive but under-performing player.

Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons. — AFP


West Indian batsman Lendl Simmons performed reasonably in PSL's inaugural edition, scoring 161 for his team Karachi Kings in six matches. Yet he wasn’t selected by any of the franchises in 2017.

Shakib Hasan
Another player who participated in the first PSL season but was unavailable this year is Karachi King's Shakib Hasan. His national team fixture means he won't be able to participate in the second season of the PSL.

Translated by Bilal Karim Mughal from original in Urdu

To view Dawn.com’s coverage for Pakistan Super League 2017, click here

 

[The Sandman]

View attachment 375204
@Moonlight @PaklovesTurkiye @The Sandman @Hell hound @Moonlight @krash
Listen to the Sheikh

JO bhi bs isloo ni jetna chaye

 

[Hell hound]

JO bhi bs isloo ni jetna chaye

bhai or jo marzi jeet jaye bas karachi ko cup nahi milna chaey

 

[The Sandman]

bhai or jo marzi jeet jaye bas karachi ko cup nahi milna chaey

 

[Zibago]

JO bhi bs isloo ni jetna chaye

ap phir bhol gaye mein to islu team ka suppprter hi nahi

 

[Lone Ranger]

https://twitter.com/x/status/825618402760851456

@Zibago enjoy

 

[ghazi52]

Johan Botha to be new Islamabad United field coach

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, Islamabad United’s management announced on Wednesday that they had hired former South African captain Johan Botha as the new 0fielding coach.

Botha will take over from former coach Darren Berry.

Regarding his replacement, Berry clarified that, "For personal reasons and commitments back home I will not be able to join PSL this year."

"However, in Johan Botha, United has a former international captain and someone whom I have worked with for years. I am sure that he will be the perfect replacement and will add to an outstanding coaching staff. I wish him and the rest of the Islamabad United guys every success in PSL 2," he added.

Botha will join Dean Jones, Tauseef Ahmed, Dean Woodford and Wasim Akram in Islamabad United's coaching staff.


Islamabad United

Foreign players: Shane Watson, Samuel Badree, Brad Haddin, Sam Billings, Dwayne Smith, Ben Duckett, Steven Finn,

Key Pakistani players: Misbah ul Haq, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan

Last year’s champions decided not to tinker with their squad too much. They were the only team to retain the full quota of 16 players. Therefore, there were only a few additions to the squad. Andre Russell’s doping ban forced a late change with Steven Finn joining the team. This makes sense given Russell’s value as a bowler to the team last year – he was the highest-wicket taker. Imagine, for a second, Mohammad Irfan sharing the new ball with Steven Finn. Opposing teams might not be happy at the prospect of facing the two tall pacers bowling in tandem.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Zohaib Khan, who played for the Qalandars last year, joins United this year. He is one of the brains behind Peshawar’s success in domestic cricket and will, more or less, play the same role as Imran Khalid.

Shadab Khan, a leg-spin all-rounder who has played for Pakistan Under-19 and A looks like another exciting young talent. Shadab will also get to learn from West Indian spinner Samuel Badree and Pakistani star Saeed Ajmal.

A more self-assured Sam Billings will now look to impress not only his management but also prove a point to his critics. His experience with Delhi Daredevils in IPL and with the England national team has helped him to develop his game.

Shane Watson’s PSL journey was cut short last year because of an injury and he will be desperate to go the full distance this time around. Needless to mention, Watson’s role as an all-rounder becomes all the more critical in the absence of Andre Russell.

Dwayne Smith joined United as a replacement player last year and scored two fifties in four matches. This year, he is a part of the main squad.

Explosive England middle order batsman Ben Duckett is another player to watch out for this season.

.
.
.
.
.



Peshawar Zalmi

Foreign players: Darren Sammy, Eoin Morgan, Chris Jordan, Marlon Samuels, Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Samit Patel, Dawid Malan

Key Pakistani players: Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali, Sohaib Maqsood, Haris Sohail,

If you are wondering why Zalmi have so many foreign signings then that might also be why Zalmi should be worried about their team. Morgan and Jordan are expected to leave around Feb 20 for national duty. Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are expected to arrive mid-February and leave end-February. Samit Patel and Dilshan will then be able to replace these two Bangladeshi players.

Captain Sammy
The biggest news at this year’s draft was perhaps Shahid Afridi voluntarily giving up captaincy of Peshawar Zalmi to Darren Sammy. A two-time World Cup winner, Sammy is an inspirational captain who will certainly add more tactical nuance to the way the team operates.

Bowlers
Zalmi have great bowling strength with Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Chris Jordan, Hasan Ali, Imran Khan Jr., Mohammad Asghar, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Shakib al Hasan. That’s plenty of options to choose from!

Batters
They will rely on Marlon Samuels, England batsman Dawid Malan, former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal to carry them through in terms of batting. Their efforts will be supplemented by Morgan and Tamim Iqbal in between.

This tournament will also mark the comeback of Haris Sohail to competitive cricket. Sohaib Maqsood, another promising yet unfulfilled batting talent, will also join him. Maqsood was traded for Aamir Yamin with Lahore Qalandars.

While Zalmi are strong on paper, the constant chopping and changing of foreign players is not an ideal situation to be in. What works for them well, however, is the presence of experienced Pakistani players who can form a Pakistan XI of their own.

 

[ghazi52]

Cricket: PSL ─ Super sequel


With PSL2 just round the corner, let’s have a look at what to expect and which players to watch out for.


Unlike Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) first edition when it was venturing into uncharted territory, the franchises have got their preparations well under way, making it difficult to predict the ultimate winners this time.

The leadership of three franchises who were not there in last year’s final, has changed hands for tactical reasons.

Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain of both World Twenty20 champion outfits in 2012 and 2016, has taken over from Shahid Afridi at Peshawar Zalmi; the retired Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara replaces Shoaib Malik as the Karachi Kings captain, while the big-spending Lahore Qalandars are leaving no stone unturned to have a serious tilt at the crown.

The Qalandars, on paper, have shrewdly signed up Brendon McCullum, who changed the outlook of New Zealand cricket with inspirational captaincy skills before retiring from the international scene almost a year ago.

McCullum’s choice as captain in place of Azhar Ali will certainly make the Qalandars the biggest challengers for the trophy.

With the 2017 edition of the Pakistan Super League just round the corner, let’s have a look at what to expect and which players to watch out for.

Given the heavy modern-day schedule of international cricket, three franchises have effected changes to their squads from last year with Islamabad United and Karachi Kings retaining theirs.

But in the run-up to the start of the competition, there are prospects of more changes in the offing.

While the coming weeks will have Pakistan cricket fans avidly glued to the PSL razzmatazz, former Test player and now a renowned cricket analyst Bazid Khan, who saw the competition unfolding as part of the commentary team says: “Hopefully the second edition will be bigger and better. Once PSL is staged in Pakistan then it’ll really take off!”

The legacy of the PSL is certainly something to behold, considering Pakistan has been starved of top-flight international cricket for nearly eight years now.

The ambitious plans of playing the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore sound like sweet music to the ears despite a conspiracy being hatched by the international players’ association to sabotage that dream.

Naveed Asghar, chief marketing officer of PSL’s title sponsor Habib Bank Limited (HBL), expects the league to grow bigger as time goes by.

“There is no doubt in my mind about the future of PSL. I foresee the league not only returning to Pakistan but also growing into a true identity worldwide. The HBL, as title sponsor and being a global bank, are delighted to be involved with the PSL because we all feel that the general standard of the game will not only improve from all angles but also expand further to benefit Pakistan cricket,” he says.

Players to watch
The bleak 2016 campaign of Karachi Kings saw one man still stand out to the extent that he emerged as the player-of-the-tournament. Ravi Bopara, the in-and-out England all-rounder scored 329 runs — just six behind the competition’s leading run-getter Lahore Qalandars’ Umar Akmal — and claimed 11 wickets from nine matches, including the best figures of the event: 6-16 against the Qalandars at Sharjah.

This time, Bopara will again compete against a galaxy of stars which will be out to show their already-proven mettle in world cricket.

Brendon McCullum


Undoubtedly, the biggest signing of the second season has been the talismanic Brendon McCullum. After retiring from the international scene, the former New Zealand captain will be leading Lahore Qalandars. His mere presence will surely make a huge difference to the fortunes of a side that sadly flattered to deceive last year.

McCullum needs no introduction. One of the most destructive batsmen the world has ever seen, he is a dream choice for any franchise and the Qalandars will probably feel that they have got the ammunition this time to claim the trophy they desperately want.

The Qalandars, however, have lost the services of the temperamental Chris Gayle. The gale force will aid Karachi Kings to blow off their opponents in the coming edition after the West Indian superstar mustered only 103 from five outings for his previous employers. Watch out for those monstrous strikes into the stands from his booming bat!

Peshawar Zalmi will rely heavily on Darren Sammy to do them proud. A two-time skipper of World Twenty20 title-winning with the West Indies, Sammy has the knack of getting the best out of the team he leads, a valid reason why the Zalmi management has given him the mantle instead of the fading superhero of Pakistan cricket, Shahid Afridi.

Umar Akmal may have been a star on the wane for the past some years now. His latest comeback for Pakistan was hugely disappointing Down Under. But on his day, the youngest of the Akmal siblings has the potential — tragically yet to be fulfilled — to make his mark and could play a major role for the Qalandars just like the last time.

On top of that what about Kamran Akmal? He is heading into the second edition on the back of a prolific domestic season during which he was the only batsman to go past 1,000 first-class runs.

Sharjeel Khan


The best bet for a Pakistani to steal the limelight is the big-hitting Sharjeel Khan, the first man from Hyderabad to make the cut at Test level. The left-hander was the solitary bright light during the 4-1 ODI series hammering against Australia. Who can forget his batting against Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai last year when he bludgeoned the only century of the tournament — 117 from just 62 deliveries with 12 boundaries and eight sixes — for eventual champions Islamabad United.

Babar Azam is not far behind either to make strong statement. The brightest batting prospect for Pakistan to emerge in the last six months, the 22-year-old will be Karachi Kings’ main source of inspiration.

Ahmed Shehzad


Quetta Gladiators will be expecting Ahmed Shehzad to carry his recent excellent one-day form into the PSL. Another man with abundance of talent but who is very anxious to rehabilitate himself and regain his spot in the national team, which ironically could have benefited had he been selected for the recent few series.

And coming to the newbies…

If the first edition brought the hidden talent of Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Asghar and Rumman Raees Khan to the fore, then there is still hope that some new wannabes will make the cut to seriously challenge for places in the senior Pakistan team.

Among the new inductees is the immensely-talented Fakhar Zaman, the left-handed batsman, who will open the innings for the Qalandars. He could be the second one from Mardan to follow into Younis Khan’s big shoes, if luck favours him in his debut PSL season.

Ghulam Mudassar


The Qalandars must have noticed his gradual development into a cricketer of rare quality to offer him a contract. Former national selector Saleem Jaffer already reckons the 26-year-old is ripe for international cricket following success in Pakistan ‘A’ colours.

Not far behind is another new Qalandars signing — Ghulam Mudassar. The left-armer, who is just 17 years of age despite visibly looking around to be 22 or 23 at the least, has got the pace to create havoc. Another guy who had played for Pakistan ‘A’, Mudassar originally hails from Hazara but grew up and learnt cricket in Karachi.

Hussain Talat has got everything to be ranked as a decent all-round cricketer. Still only 20, Hussain bats left-handed and bowls right-arm seamers. The national selectors have been monitoring his progress closely as they pray for someone to fill the ‘all-rounder’ breach in Pakistan’s one-day and T20 squads. A good debut for the reigning PSL champions Islamabad United could well put this youngster in the running for international baptism.

 

[Kambojaric]

So what time is the opening ceremony?

 

[Sugarcane]

Do anyone know the stream link?

 

[karakoram]

Lolzzzzz

 

[ghazi52]

PSL Matches


Thur Feb 9 | 1st T20 – Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United
Fri Feb 10 | 2nd T20 – Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators
Fri Feb 10 | 3rd T20 – Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi
Sat Feb 11 | 4th T20 – Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars
Sat Feb 11 | 5th T20 – Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings