Latest news with #HBL-PSL
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead Team of HBL-PSL-X
LAHORE: Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led Lahore Qalandars to their third title in four years in HBL-PSL last night, has been named captain of the Team of HBL-PSL-X. The team was selected by the esteemed members of the commentary team. The HBL-PSL-X was played across four cities; Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11th April to 25th May. In the final, Qalandars defeated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The 25 year old Shaheen, not only claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for finishing as the highest wicket taker, 19 dismissals in 13 matches, but also leads a team that features two of his Qalandars teammates. Sikandar Raza (11 matches, 254 runs, 2x50s, 10 wickets) and Fakhar Zaman (13 matches, 439 runs, 4x50s) earned their places on the back of stellar performances in the tournament. Gladiators – the winners of the 2019 edition of HBL-PSL are also represented by three players. 23 year old Pakistan international Hasan Nawaz, who was also adjudged best batter of the tournament (12 matches, 399 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) is joined by experienced all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (12 matches, 163 runs, 17 wickets) and 27 year old spinner Abrar Ahmed (12 matches, 17 wickets). Karachi Kings, who secured third place on the points table before losing to Qalandars in Eliminator-1 on 22nd May at Gaddafi Stadium, also have three representatives. Captain David Warner (11 matches, 368 runs, 3x50s), opening partner James Vince (378 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) and pacer Hasan Ali (10 matches, 17 wickets) all feature in the XI. Khushdil Shah (11 matches, 253 runs, 1x50, seven wickets) is named as the 12th man. Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan, who earned the Hanif Mohammad Cap for leading the run charts with 449 runs in 12 matches (1x100, 3x50s), is the sole representative from his side. Completing the line-up is Peshawar Zalmi's emerging talent, fast bowler Ali Raza, who took 12 wickets in nine matches. It may be noted that Shaheen Shah Afridi's Lahore Qalandars romped to their third HBL PSL title in four years as they beat Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in a thrilling last-over finale here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night in front of a packed house. The successful 202-run chase by Qalandars is also the highest target surmounted by a team in a T20 final. Squad: Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Sahibzada Farhan (Islamabad United) (wicket-keeper), David Warner (Karachi Kings), James Vince (Karachi Kings), Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators), Sikandar Raza (Lahore Qalandars), Faheem Ashraf (Quetta Gladiators), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) (captain), Hasan Ali (Karachi Kings), Ali Raza (Peshawar Zalmi) (emerging), Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators), Khushdil Shah (Karachi Kings) (12th). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Spinner Abrar credits HBL-PSL for his growth in white-ball formats
LAHORE: Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, who is representing Quetta Gladiators for second consecutive HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season gave credit to the HBL-PSL for his growth in white-ball formats. While the HBL PSL has entered its 10th edition, Abrar has been part of the five editions as he burst on to the scene for Karachi Kings in the HBL-PSL 2017 as a rookie in an emerging category. Abrar's heroics for the Karachi Region Whites U-19 in 2016 iteration of the PCB Regional U19 three-day (27 wickets in seven matches) and one-day competitions (17 wickets in eight matches) earned him a spot in Karachi Kings squad for the second edition of the HBL PSL. In an interview Abrar said, 'I played for Karachi Kings in the HBL PSL season two in 2017 and it was straight after playing U19 regional cricket. Muhammad Masroor was my coach in Karachi Region Whites U-19 and he was also part of the Kings' team management, which helped me immensely in settling down in the franchise. As a teenager I felt great after being picked up in HBL PSL as a youngster which I can't describe in words. It was a refreshing experience but after that I had to stop playing the game for two years due to a back injury." Following the injury setback, he said, playing longer form of the game helped get back to rhythm and form. In the 2024 HBL PSL season his haul of 16 wickets in 10 matches earned him Pakistan T20I cap against New Zealand at home. The ODI debut came in November 2024 against Zimbabwe. Shedding light on his emergence as a white-ball player following his Test debut in December 2022, Abrar remarked, 'My first national call-up was in Pakistan's T20I squad in September 2022 against England in the home series, but I couldn't get a game. Then I made my Test debut after which the HBL PSL 2024 helped me showcase my white-ball skills. You can say the HBL PSL helped me break into the Pakistan white-ball squads especially T20I as I bowl with the new ball as well as old ball.' Being a mystery spinner, Abrar brings a lot to the table with the ball delivering his canny carrom balls, googlies and leg-spinners, which help him deceive the batters in fast-paced T20 cricket. He said, 'It is very important to have variations and then there are a lot of aspects of bowling according to which you employ your variations. For example, it is vital to note whether you are bowling into or against the air and the type of batter you are facing. Sometimes you have to also consider your field setting while tackling some of the batters. Despite having the mystery in my bowling, I still believe a lot of mental and tactical work is required to put brakes on run-flow and to grab wickets.' Abrar represented Peshawar Zalmi in 2021 and Islamabad United in 2023 for two and three matches, respectively but Quetta have employed Abrar as a strike bowler in both the seasons, which has in turn provided him a chance to innovate, learn and grow as a white-ball player. Talking about his time with the franchise, Abrar mentioned, 'Representing Quetta Gladiators has been a great experience for me. I performed really well for Gladiators last year and was the leading wicket-taker for them. We have a good coaching staff including Sir Vivian Richards and that helps a lot. Saud Shakeel is our captain this season and I'm feeling really good playing for Quetta for the second consecutive season.' When asked about his experience of sharing the dressing room with team director Sarfaraz Ahmed and skipper Saud Shakeel, Abrar responded, 'I have played a lot of cricket with Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed especially in first-class tournaments. I'm enjoying my time with both of them here in Quetta Gladiators as well. The other person who I really enjoy being around is Shoaib Malik because I'm part of his Champions Cup side Stallions and shared the dressing room and field with him in the Champions Cup One-Day and T20 tournaments in 2024.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
