Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Lahore Qalandars, praises all HBL PSL teams
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated Lahore Qalandars on lifting their third HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, and praised all participating teams for demonstrating what he called 'excellent sportsmanship' throughout a disrupted but thrilling tenth edition of the tournament.
Lahore Qalandars clinched a dramatic six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.
Chasing a formidable 202-run target, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza sealed victory with a blistering 22 not out off seven balls, smashing two sixes and two boundaries in the final over.
'Lahore Qalandars successfully achieved the target after a thrilling match,' Sharif said in a statement issued from his office. 'All the teams involved in PSL 10 showed excellent sportsmanship.'
The tournament, already in the spotlight due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India earlier in May, was briefly paused as both nations engaged in a four-day cross-border conflict.
A US-brokered ceasefire brought an uneasy calm, allowing the HBL PSL to resume after a 10-day break. The Indian Premier League was also affected by the standoff.
Despite the interruption, HBL PSL 10 concluded successfully, drawing praise from political leaders and cricket officials alike.
The prime minister, currently on a four-nation diplomatic visit with his first stop in Türkiye, also extended congratulations to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the entire administration for organising the high-profile event under challenging circumstances.
He further acknowledged the contribution of international players, stating their involvement 'made this successful event possible.'
Lahore Qalandars now join Islamabad United as the only teams to win three HBL PSL titles, with their previous wins coming in 2022 and 2023. The victory reaffirms their dominance in the T20 league's recent history.
A public reception for the team is expected in the coming days, according to Lahore city officials.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Salman Agha tipped to become Pakistan's all-format captain
Salman Agha is all set to become Pakistan's all-format national cricket team skipper after impressing selectors and new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, sources told The 31-year-old was appointed Twenty20 international skipper for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour to give regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan rest but Salman has impressed with his clarity of thoughts and resolve in the short period. "Salman has been impressive in the opinions of the selection committee, new head coach Hesson and, above all, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page that he should be the all-format captain," said the sources. A decision is likely to be announced after the Eid holidays. The decision means ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan has lost favours with the PCB and the selection committee in which the strongest influence is that of Aaqib Javed, added sources. Rizwan was at the loggerheads with Aaqib on the tour of New Zealand where Pakistan lost the ODI series. Rizwan publically criticised lack of authority as skipper in matters of selection on the New Zealand tour. Pakistan lost the ODI series in New Zealand 3-0 which came on the back of a disastrous Champions Trophy 2025 tournament at home where the team crashed out in the first round. Test skipper Shan Masood was also tipped to be sacked after Pakistan lost nine out of 12 Tests under his captaincy since December 2023. Masood's worst phase was a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, Pakistan's first loss against the lowly ranked team. Pakistan also drew a relatively easier series against the West Indies 1-1 last year. That defeat left Pakistan on the ninth and last position of the World Test Championship's third cycle. They finished fifth and seventh in the first two WTC cycles. "Masood's captaincy was unimpressive and timid, so he was destined to lose captaincy. Moreover, Masood's own performance was poor so Salman will also take over from him," the sources said. Pakistan's next tour is of Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series with matches on July 20, 22 and 24. Pakistan then play five T20Is against the West Indies in USA and the Caribbean. As for the Tests, Pakistan hosts South Africa for a two-match Test series in October. In the WTC fourth cycle (2025-2027) Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka and New Zealand while their away series are in Bangladesh, the West Indies and England.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Holder, Russell return for West Indies
SUPERB PERFORMANCE: Islamabad United all-rounder Jason Holder celebrates after taking another Multan Sultans wicket in HBL PSL match on Wednesday night. PHOTO: PCB Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the T20I squads for the upcoming series against England and Ireland, with big names like Jason Holder and Andre Russell making a return. However, Nicholas Pooran will be rested for the tour following his involvement in the IPL. West Indies will face England in three T20Is immediately after their ODI series at The Oval concludes on Tuesday. Following that, they will head to Ireland for another three-match T20I series, although several players and members of the coaching staffincluding Russellwill be rested for the Ireland leg. Holder last appeared in a T20I for West Indies in February 2024, having missed the World Cup later that year due to injury. Russell's most recent match was against England in Barbados last November, where an ankle injury ruled him out of the remainder of the series. Sherfane Rutherford returns to the squad after missing the Bangladesh series, while Keacy Carty will only feature in the Ireland T20Is, replacing Brandon King who has been granted leave. New Test captain Roston Chase will also depart after the England series to prepare for Australia's upcoming tour, with former West Indies Under-19 player Jyd Goolie receiving his first senior call-up. Ahead of the first Test against Australia starting June 25, West Indies will hold a Test training camp in Barbados from June 13-21. West Indies Men's T20I Squad for England: Shai Hope (captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. West Indies Men's T20I Squad for Ireland: Shai Hope (captain), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
PCB Chief Naqvi holds key meeting in Lahore
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasised in Monday's meeting that strong domestic cricket structure is essential to bring forward top-quality cricketers. PHOTO: PCB An important meeting was held at the Gaddafi Stadium under the chairmanship of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Mohsin Naqvi to review preparations for upcoming international and domestic cricket assignments. The meeting focused on planning and readiness for the Shaheens team's upcoming series and also initiated work on central contracts for players. Officials provided a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as tours to the West Indies and Bangladesh. A significant decision was made during the meeting, requiring all Pakistani international cricketers to participate in at least one domestic tournament. The move aims to strengthen the domestic circuit and ensure the grooming of future talent. Mohsin Naqvi emphasised the importance of domestic cricket, stating: "Playing alongside international cricketers will help in grooming domestic players. A strong domestic cricket structure is essential to bring forward top-quality cricketers. Good backups for international players will emerge from domestic competitions." Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, gave a detailed briefing on the upcoming series and related logistics. The meeting was attended by key cricket officials and support staff, including Head Coach Mike Hesson, Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, Team Manager Naveed Akram Cheema, Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla, Director of High Performance Centers Aaqib Javed, and Pakistan team captain Salman Agha. Haris breaks Babar's T20I record Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris showcased an explosive batting display on Sunday, leading his team to a convincing 3-0 series sweep over Bangladesh with a thrilling victory in the final match at Gaddafi Stadium. Haris played a match-winning unbeaten innings of 107 runs off just 46 balls, featuring eight boundaries and seven sixes, at an extraordinary strike rate of 232.60. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award. With this remarkable century, the wicketkeeper batter became Pakistan's second-fastest T20I centurion, surpassing both Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad. He reached his maiden T20I hundred in 45 deliveries, overtaking Babar Azam's previous record of 49 balls and Ahmed Shehzad's 58 balls. The fastest century for Pakistan remains Hasan Nawaz's 44-ball hundred, scored during the T20I series against New Zealand in March. In the third T20I, Pakistan faced a challenging target of 197 runs. The innings started nervously as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed early, scoring only one run off four balls to Mehidy Hasan Miraz's bowling. However, Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub quickly steadied the innings with a commanding partnership. The duo put together 56 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first six overs, maintaining a strong scoring rate. Haris and Saim forged a 92-run partnership for the second wicket, showcasing aggressive and fluent stroke play to keep Pakistan in control. The partnership ended when Tanzim Hasan trapped Saim for 45 runs off 29 deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 100-2 after 9.5 overs. Despite the loss, Mohammad Haris continued to anchor the innings, reaching his half-century at 115-2 after 11 overs. Hasan Nawaz contributed quick runs with two boundaries before being dismissed for 26 off 13 balls by Mehidy Hasan, reducing Pakistan to 137-3 at 12.5 overs. Undeterred, Haris maintained his dominance over the Bangladeshi bowling attack, striking boundaries and sixes with ease. He brought up his century in just 45 balls, displaying sublime batting throughout the innings. Haris remained unbeaten on 107 off 46 deliveries, including eight fours and seven sixes, while captain Agha chipped in with a quick 14 off 11 balls as Pakistan comfortably chased down the target in 17.1 overs.
