Tag: (PSL)

Lahore, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):One of the most crucial aspects in T20 cricket is to start strongly as gaining an early momentum in an innings that spans only 20 overs often provides an upper hand over opposition. Whether it has been Test cricket or One-Day Internationals, the openers have always had their work cut out as they are required to provide solid platforms to those next in the batting order.

T20 cricket has added a layer of difficulty as the format demands the runs to be scored at a brisk rate all the while ensuring the wickets stay intact in the Powerplay. As the T20 format continues to evolve, there are various methods and philosophies opening batters have deployed to deliver the goods for their sides.

PCB Digital spoke to Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Sharjeel Khan. The three batters have established themselves as attacking openers and will be in action in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, which commences on 13 February in Multan.

Fakhar played an integral role in Lahore Qalandars’ successful HBL PSL 7 campaign. His 588 runs were the most for any batter and his staggering strike-rate of 152.72 was the best amongst the top five run-getters last year. Amongst the batters playing in the upcoming edition, Fakhar’s 73 are the most sixes behind Islamabad United’s Asif Ali’s 79.

Fakhar:

“As an opener, I try to exploit the opening six overs as there are gaps with two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. I try to go for boundaries from the very first ball and make the most of the good balls by rotating the strike.

“There are many factors that shape up an aggressive openernatural game, the mindset and the demand of the team. I think having an attacking mindset is of the utmost important.

“The approach usually differs in the second innings as you are going after a target. If you are going after a small total, then you have time to adjust and the pressure is not that much. But, you have to attack in case you are chasing a big total.”

A product of age-group cricket, Haris, who played the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2020, took the HBL PSL by storm last year as he smoked 166 runs at a strike-rate of 186.51 in five matches. His strike-rate in the Powerplay was almost a run better (187.32) and he smashed a boundary every third ball.

Haris, who turns 22 on 30 March:

“It is very important to anticipate so I am continuously reading the fields. I see which two fielders are outside the circle and that helps me predict what two to three balls the bowler is looking to deliver and that is how I plan my shots. Like, if the bowler has positioned a deep square leg, I know that a bouncer is on the cards. Thankfully, the success rate to date is around 80 per cent for me.

“You need a strong and solid technique to be aggressive and attack the bowler. For me it is about dominating the bowler no matter who he is.”

Sharjeel Khan was the first batter to score a century in the HBL PSL. He clubbed eight sixes in his 62-ball 117 for Islamabad United against Peshawar Zalmi in the second qualifier and Islamabad were eventually crowned champions of the inaugural edition. He has, to date, smashed 72 HBL PSL sixes, one less than Fakhar.

Sharjeel, who since his return to the HBL PSL in 2020 has been in Karachi Kings, has hit a boundary every 4.5 ball in the HBL PSL and that is because of his desire to make the most of the Powerplays.

Sharjeel:

“I believe 70 to 80 per cent of the match is defined by how the first six overs go. What I have learned over the years that a team which has the most boundaries wins the match, so I try to milk the first six overs.

“I am also looking to lay a solid platform for my side and if I continue to bat after the completion of the first six overs then I look to make sure that I carry that momentum.

“It is important to not to forget the basics and try to gauge the conditions. So usually, I do try to take four balls or an over as every day is a new day and conditions are different. Whether I am facing a spinner or a pacer, the plan remains the same, examine the conditions and then go for the attack and this often proves to be beneficial for the team as well.”

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan Super League Secretariat, Gaddafi Stadium,
Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: info@psl-t20.com
Website: http://www.psl-t20.com/

Lahore, February 03, 2023 (PPI-OT):The HBL Pakistan Super League has served as a launching pad for several talented youngsters over the years as the exposure to quality cricket in the presence of national and international stars helps them to enhance their skillset.

Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali and Mohammad Haris are examples of players who have shot to prominence from the HBL PSL platform and gone on to prove their mettle on the international stage.

Some of the newcomers excited to showcase their skills in HBL PSL 2023 include Multan Sultans’ Arafat Minhas, Karachi Kings’ Muhammad Irfan Khan, Peshawar Zalmi’s Haseebullah, Lahore Qalandars’ Shawaiz Irfan, Quetta Gladiators’ Aimal Khan and Islamabad United’s Hassan Nawaz.

All six future stars with the exception of Arafat, selected in the supplementary round, have been picked in the emerging category for their respective franchise. This young lot will be eager to establish their credentials as the tournament commences in Multan on 13 February with the opening match between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.

Arafat Minhas – Multan Sultans

Arafat has enjoyed a successful run in the series between Pakistan U19 and Bangladesh U19 in November 2022, where he bagged the player of the series award at the end of the three one-days having scored 171 runs with two half-centuries. He also managed to take three wickets. His impressive performances in the Pakistan Cup saw him being attached to Pakistan Test squad for the first Test against New Zealand in December with the objective of providing international exposure and experience.

Belonging to Multan, Arafat is looking forward to representing the city of his birth.

“It is an unbelievable feeling and a great opportunity to express myself. I want to prove that I can compete on big stage. To be honest I am not giving myself and specific targets and goals, I just want to go out and express myself and learn from the biggest stars of the game.”

“I hope to get tips from the best hitter in the game David Miller with whom I’ll be sharing the dressing room. My favourite memory from the HBL PSL is Rilee Rossouw’s breath-taking hundred in Multan against Quetta Gladiators in HBL PSL 2020.”

Muhammad Irfan Khan – Karachi Kings

A product of the PCB’s age-group programme, middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan has represented Pakistan in two ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2020 and 2022. The 20-year-old made 141 runs in nine innings in the National T20 2022-23 at a strike-rate of 153.26 with a 31-ball 57 against Balochistan being the highlight of his campaign.

“Getting selected for the first time in the HBL PSL is certainly a satisfying feeling. I want to perform well in this tournament as the HBL PSL stage propels you to the limelight and you can boost your case for selection in the national team.”

“In Karachi Kings, I will have the opportunity of interacting with my cricketing idol Shoaib Malik, who has a lot of experience playing for Pakistan and in leagues around the globe. He is also a middle-order batter like me so I will definitely use the opportunity to learn from him.”

“Daren Sammy’s heroics for Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL PSL 2018 match against Quetta Gladiators was a memorable moment. He was unfit during the chase but still helped Peshawar win the match at a time when they required 16 off 7 balls.”

Haseebullah – Peshawar Zalmi

Talented prospect from Pishin, Haseebullah Khan has been a prolific performer in the domestic circuit ever since he made his List a debut in March 2022.

He was the leading run-getter in his team’s Pakistan Cup 2021-22 winning campaign and was second-highest run-scorer in the subsequent season of the 50-over tournament. His tally of 551 runs and 10 dismissals saw him take home the best wicketkeeper of the tournament award.

Harbouring aspirations of becoming the first Test cricketer from Balochistan, Haseebullah wants to make the most of his maiden HBL PSL season.

“Being picked in the HBL PSL draft for Peshawar Zalmi was a proud moment for me. Our team has Babar Azam and Haris Sohail. Haris has been my teammate in Balochistan and I had my first experience with Babar Bhai during the second Test against New Zealand. I am happy to share the dressing room with them for an entire season.”

“One HBL PSL match I still remember was the Qualifier between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in 2017 when Mohammad Nawaz successfully defended seven runs in the last over.”

Shawaiz Irfan – Lahore Qalandars

Shawaiz Irfan built a reputation of being a fierce striker of the cricket ball in the Pakistan Junior League. He was part of the champion side Bahawalpur Royals and blasted a 32-ball 79 studded with six sixes in the final of the competition.

His rollicking show allowed him a chance in the Pakistan U19 team for the home series against Bangladesh U19.

“I am thankful for being picked in Lahore Qalandars and I am definitely excited to play in the HBL PSL for the first time. It will be an exciting occasion to play in front of the passionate fans.”

“I am stoked to share the dressing room with the likes of Rashid Khan, Sikandar Raza, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, and it was my wish to be in their company.”

“My favourite moment in the HBL PSL was when I watched the Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans final live from the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. It was an inspiring moment to see my heroes in action.

Aimal Khan – Quetta Gladiators

Right-arm pacer Aimal Khan made waves in the opening match of the Pakistan Junior League when he bowled a match-winning spell of 3-15 in four overs for Mardan Warriors. Aimal’s ability to generate steep pace and sharp swing makes him a potent option with the new ball.

“The HBL PSL is a big brand and its importance is known in the cricket world. I feel honoured to play in this league and be associated with Quetta Gladiators.”

“Interacting with Naseem Shah will be a satisfying experience. I will be using the tips I receive from him to challenge the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and David Miller in the tournament.”

“Seeing Shaheen Afridi hit 23 runs in the last over of the chase against Peshawar Zalmi in HBL PSL 2022 to take the game to the Super Over was a thrilling moment for me.”

Hassan Nawaz – Islamabad United

The Layyah-born Hassan Nawaz demonstrated his six-hitting talent in the Kashmir Premier League stint with Mirpur Royals, where he managed 241 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 148.76 and 14 maximums. Hassan also played five games in the National T20 2022-23, showing glimpses of brilliance.

“Islamabad United has always been my favourite team and I am glad to be a part of the franchise in my first HBL PSL season.”

“Learning from power-hitters like Asif Ali and Colin Munro would hone my skills and make me a better player in this format.”

“Witnessing Asif Ali smashing those three consecutive sixes to Hasan Ali in the final of the 2018 edition was a something special. Being a hard-hitting batter myself I fancy his gameplay.”

Upcoming HBL PSL media releases:

4 February – Explosive openers in HBL PSL

5 February – Role of the fast bowlers in HBL PSL

6 February – Significance of HBL PSL

7 February – PCB Podcast, featuring Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan

Previous HBL PSL media releases:

20 January – HBL PSL 8 schedule announced

24 January – Fans to nominate Hamaray Heroes for HBL PSL 8

25 January – Teams strengthen rosters in HBL PSL 8 replacement draft

31 January – Babar Azam will aim to notch maiden century in HBL PSL

1 February – Shaheen raring for his comeback in HBL PSL 2023

2 February – Babar, Sarfaraz and Shaheen feature in special edition of PCB Podcast

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan Super League Secretariat, Gaddafi Stadium,
Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: info@psl-t20.com
Website: http://www.psl-t20.com/

Lahore, February 01, 2023 (PPI-OT):It was at the start of April in 2018 when a lanky teenager by the name of Shaheen Shah Afridi received international cap from Pakistan legend Wasim Akram at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena. He had showed glimpses of brilliance in the last two months – during what was his maiden HBL Pakistan Super League season – that catapulted him to the national side. The highlight was his five-wicket haul at Dubai against Multan Sultans, which saw him become one of the only two bowlers that season to bag five wickets in an innings.

Shaheen never looked back from that moment, establishing himself as an all-format bowler for Pakistan and, subsequently, the leader of the Pakistan bowling attack. Such was his utility for Pakistan that before the first Galle Test in which he injured his right knee by landing awkwardly while attempting a dive at the boundary in July last year, he had taken the most wickets (204) behind Australia’s Pat Cummins’ 209 across all three international formats. He was so lethal that his strike rate of 35.4 was the best in international cricket amongst the fast bowlers with at least a thousand overs.

The fourth morning of that Test, however, put a halt on an ever-progressing career. Shaheen was back in Pakistan colours in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year and his bowling form grew proportionally with the matches he played, before a freak twist while completing that famous Harry Brook catch at Melbourne in the final sent him back to rehabilitation.

While the sight of Shaheen limping off the field broke millions of Pakistani hearts, it was the beginning of a struggle for a bowler who since his Pakistan debut had done nothing but bowl in heaps.

“There were times when I wanted to give up,” Shaheen, who now has checked all the requisites for his return to competitive cricket, tells PCB Digital. “I was working on only one muscle and it was not improving. Often during the rehabilitation sessions, I used to say to myself ‘this is enough, I cannot do this anymore’.

“But then I used to watch my bowling on YouTube and see how well I had done and that motivated me and I told myself ‘to push a little more’ … It is frustrating for a fast bowler to miss cricket because of an injury.”

While there is no good time to be injured, Shaheen’s had come at a time when Pakistan were scheduled for their biggest home season in over a decade with seven T20Is and three Tests against England followed by two Tests and three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand. Shaheen missed all 15 games.

“It is tough when you miss your home games because of the injury,” he says. “Before our Test home season, I even missed the seven England T20Is. I was more distressed for missing the Tests, because I like Test cricket more. A bowler is measured on how he performs in Test cricket and I wanted to take wickets against England.”

Was there any moment during the 2022-23 home season that made him want to get in the Pakistan colours? “It came when I was watching the [Multan Test] match and our tail Enders were not able to finish the game. I wanted to hit a few sixes there and finish the match for Pakistan,” he chuckles. “Also, when they [England] were scoring a lot of runs, I wanted to give my input with the ball.”

Shaheen made sure to remain in touch with the bowlers. “It is tough to switch from the white ball cricket to red ball cricket as the demands of the Test format are totally different from the limited overs. I was in touch with the boys over phone. Naseem bowls really quick and mentally he is very sharp and understands he needs to be done. I used to speak with Haris Rauf daily. I remained in touch with our other bowlers as well, who played in the Tests.”

Amongst those who made their HBL PSL debuts in 2018, the Lahore Qalandars captain has the most wickets (70). He is third on the list of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament history behind Wahab Riaz (103) and Hasan Ali (81) who have played 27 and 14 more matches than him.

In a year when Pakistan will begin their third ICC World Test Championship cycle and play 50-over Asia Cup and World Cup, Shaheen could not have asked for a better stage to make his return than HBL PSL that will test his fitness and skills to the hilt.

“HBL PSL is one of the best leagues in the world and the quality of cricket tests you as a bowler. I am very excited to be making my comeback here and look forward to all the challenges that it will throw at me. Thanks to Almighty, I am doing well. I am ticking both the bowling workload and fitness requirement boxes”.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan Super League Secretariat, Gaddafi Stadium,
Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: info@psl-t20.com
Website: http://www.psl-t20.com/