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The Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Red-ball cricket is the soul of the game': Kane Williamson joins Middlesex
The world's third-best Test batsman has made a quiet arrival in London for the beginning of a four-month stint in county cricket. Middlesex made headlines recently by saying they were keen to sign Virat Kohli. Maybe next year. This one, they've got his friend and contemporary Kane Williamson who, with his gear stuffed into a Karachi Kings kit bag, was picked up from the airport by his new captain, Steve Eskinazi, on Wednesday morning then went straight to training on the Nursery Ground before the game against Sussex in the Blast on Thursday night. Williamson should do plenty for Middlesex's middle order, but maybe not quite so much for the viewing figures their live stream brings in on the subcontinent. Still, it feels like a coup for county cricket. It has been made possible by the support of MCC, who are paying a part of the 34-year-old's fee so that he can double up playing for London Spirit in the Hundred. To commit to spending the summer in England, Williamson has had to turn down another central contract with New Zealand, who are going on tour in Zimbabwe in July and August. Instead, he says, he will continue the arrangement he has had for the past 12 months, where he is available to play for the national team without being obliged to when their fixtures clash with other commitments. 'It worked well last year, and obviously I'm in close conversations with New Zealand cricket, and the relationship is strong, but the landscape's changing really fast.' Williamson is in the odd position of being a part of their team, and apart from their team. 'Yeah, we're still learning how to do it,' he says. 'The landscape keeps changing with the different challenges that we're presented with as cricketers. It's a work in progress. But New Zealand Cricket have been great to work with on it, I've been fortunate with that.' To be blunt, the economics of the game mean they don't have much choice. Williamson, so adept at pacing an innings, is trying to work out how best to thread his way through the years he has left in the game he plays so well. Eleven years ago, his compatriot Martin Crowe named Williamson, Kohli, Joe Root and Steve Smith the 'Fab Four' in a famous article for ESPN Cricinfo. All these years later Kohli – who is 36 – has just become the first of them to announce his retirement from Test cricket, a decision which, Williamson says, caused him to do a little reflective thinking himself. 'My first thought was 'oh gosh, there's an end point',' he says. 'Because before that, you're on the journey, there's a pursuit there. And it's not connected to those other three, but we've all been playing at the same time, and we've all competed against each other for a long time and we all know each other pretty well. So then you do start to reflect a little bit. I know Virat pretty well, we've chatted a lot over the years, but you do realise that we're not just cricketers as well, we're human beings and your life situation changes.' Unlike Kohli, Williamson still wants to play red-ball cricket. But he also has a young family to look after. They have come over with him. 'Summer's always got a nice buzz here in the UK and especially in London, so it's great to call it home for a few months.' You guess it makes a welcome change from making an itinerant living on tour, or the T20 circuit. He is looking forward to playing four or five championship matches. He says the competition helped make him into the player he is. 'I know I really valued my time in England actually playing county cricket as a young player, getting exposed and having to learn. You're just constantly having to try and work things out but getting so many opportunities to do it. Whereas in most other parts of the world you're playing half as many games a year. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion 'The opportunities now are vast and that's an amazing thing. But my passion was for the red-ball game, that was the pinnacle, and that's where my aspirations were, growing up,' he says. 'I guess on the other side, you have the white-ball formats and they come and they go pretty quickly and there's so much of it going on, which presents a lot of fantastic opportunities, but yeah, when I talk about the soul of the game I still see that as the red-ball cricket.' Go catch him at it if you can. It's not clear how many more who think, or play, the same way will come along after he's gone.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Red-ball cricket is the soul of the game': Kane Williamson joins Middlesex
Kane Williamson in the nets at the Nursery Ground at Lord's on Wednesday, after he was picked up at the airport by Middlesex captain Steve Eskinazi. Kane Williamson in the nets at the Nursery Ground at Lord's on Wednesday, after he was picked up at the airport by Middlesex captain Steve Eskinazi. Photograph: Ray Lawrence/TGS Photo/Shutterstock The world's third-best Test batsman has made a quiet arrival in London for the beginning of a four-month stint in county cricket. Middlesex made headlines recently by saying they were keen to sign Virat Kohli. Maybe next year. This one, they've got his friend and contemporary Kane Williamson who, with his gear stuffed into a Karachi Kings kit bag, was picked up from the airport by his new captain, Steve Eskinazi, on Wednesday morning then went straight to training on the Nursery Ground before the game against Sussex in the Blast on Thursday night. Williamson should do plenty for Middlesex's middle order, but maybe not quite so much for the viewing figures their live stream brings in on the subcontinent. Still, it feels like a coup for county cricket. It has been made possible by the support of MCC, who are paying a part of the 34-year-old's fee so that he can double up playing for London Spirit in the Hundred. Advertisement To commit to spending the summer in England, Williamson has had to turn down another central contract with New Zealand, who are going on tour in Zimbabwe in July and August. Instead, he says, he will continue the arrangement he has had for the past 12 months, where he is available to play for the national team without being obliged to when their fixtures clash with other commitments. 'It worked well last year, and obviously I'm in close conversations with New Zealand cricket, and the relationship is strong, but the landscape's changing really fast.' Williamson is in the odd position of being a part of their team, and apart from their team. 'Yeah, we're still learning how to do it,' he says. 'The landscape keeps changing with the different challenges that we're presented with as cricketers. It's a work in progress. But New Zealand Cricket have been great to work with on it, I've been fortunate with that.' To be blunt, the economics of the game mean they don't have much choice. Related: Jimmy Anderson: 'I know my body has got a certain amount of deliveries left in it' Williamson, so adept at pacing an innings, is trying to work out how best to thread his way through the years he has left in the game he plays so well. Eleven years ago, his compatriot Martin Crowe named Williamson, Kohli, Joe Root and Steve Smith the 'Fab Four' in a famous article for ESPN Cricinfo. All these years later Kohli – who is 36 – has just become the first of them to announce his retirement from Test cricket, a decision which, Williamson says, caused him to do a little reflective thinking himself. Advertisement 'My first thought was 'oh gosh, there's an end point',' he says. 'Because before that, you're on the journey, there's a pursuit there. And it's not connected to those other three, but we've all been playing at the same time, and we've all competed against each other for a long time and we all know each other pretty well. So then you do start to reflect a little bit. I know Virat pretty well, we've chatted a lot over the years, but you do realise that we're not just cricketers as well, we're human beings and your life situation changes.' Unlike Kohli, Williamson still wants to play red-ball cricket. But he also has a young family to look after. They have come over with him. 'Summer's always got a nice buzz here in the UK and especially in London, so it's great to call it home for a few months.' You guess it makes a welcome change from making an itinerant living on tour, or the T20 circuit. He is looking forward to playing four or five championship matches. He says the competition helped make him into the player he is. 'I know I really valued my time in England actually playing county cricket as a young player, getting exposed and having to learn. You're just constantly having to try and work things out but getting so many opportunities to do it. Whereas in most other parts of the world you're playing half as many games a year. 'The opportunities now are vast and that's an amazing thing. But my passion was for the red-ball game, that was the pinnacle, and that's where my aspirations were, growing up,' he says. Advertisement 'I guess on the other side, you have the white-ball formats and they come and they go pretty quickly and there's so much of it going on, which presents a lot of fantastic opportunities, but yeah, when I talk about the soul of the game I still see that as the red-ball cricket.' Go catch him at it if you can. It's not clear how many more who think, or play, the same way will come along after he's gone.
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
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PSL 2025: Team of the Tournament revealed, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi
Listen to article The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 12-member Team of the Tournament for the 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). The squad, which was selected by members of the official commentary panel, showcases players who excelled in the tournament, held across four venues—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi—from April 11 to May 25. The final saw Lahore Qalandars lifting their second PSL title in as many years with a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium. The honour of leading the Team of the Tournament goes to Lahore Qalandars captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm pacer not only led his team to the trophy but also claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for the tournament's highest wicket-taker, finishing with 19 wickets from 13 matches. Afridi's exceptional leadership and bowling prowess earned him the captaincy of the star-studded squad. Joining Afridi in the team are two of his Lahore Qalandars teammates: all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who contributed 254 runs and 10 wickets in 11 matches, and opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who scored 439 runs, including four fifties, in 13 matches. The Quetta Gladiators, champions of PSL 2019, are represented by three players in the squad. Hasan Nawaz, who was named Best Batter of the Tournament for his 399 runs in 12 matches, including a century and three fifties, is joined by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (163 runs, 17 wickets) and spinner Abrar Ahmed (17 wickets in 12 matches). From Karachi Kings, who finished third in the league stage before their elimination in Eliminator 1, three players earned spots: captain David Warner (368 runs in 11 matches), opening partner James Vince (378 runs, one century, three fifties), and pacer Hasan Ali (17 wickets in 10 matches). Additionally, Khushdil Shah, who scored 253 runs and took 7 wickets in 11 matches, has been named the 12th man. Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan, who claimed the Hanif Mohammad Cap as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 449 runs in 12 matches, is the sole representative from his franchise. Rounding off the team is emerging Peshawar Zalmi fast bowler, Ali Raza, who impressed with 12 wickets in nine matches. Surprisingly Babar Azam, who amassed 288 runs, and Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 367 runs, put up commendable performances for their respective teams—Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans—but were overlooked in favour of other standout players. HBL PSL 10 Team of the Tournament: Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Sahibzada Farhan (Islamabad United) – Wicketkeeper, 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 Player, Abrar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators), Khushdil Shah (Karachi Kings) – 12th Man
Business Recorder
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PSL 2025 sets new record with 500 sixes in a single season
The 2025 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has etched its name in the record books, delivering the most sixes in a single season in the tournament's history. According to official statistics, a total of 500 sixes were struck across 34 matches in PSL 2025, surpassing the previous record of 498 sixes set during the 2023 season. This marks the first time the 500-sixes barrier has been breached in a single edition of the PSL. Lahore Qalandars thrash Islamabad United to qualify for PSL 10 final The surge in big hitting reflects both the explosive talent on display and the evolving nature of T20 cricket in Pakistan. The top five seasons with the most sixes now include: 2025 – 500 sixes 2023 – 498 sixes 2021 – 440 sixes 2022 – 435 sixes 2018 – 414 sixes The 2025 season saw several standout performances with the bat, as local and international players consistently cleared the boundary ropes, thrilling fans and boosting engagement. Shafique shines as Lahore Qalandars knock Karachi Kings out of PSL 10 Cricket analysts credit improved batting conditions, power-packed lineups, and flatter pitches for the surge in sixes, while also pointing to increased confidence and innovation among T20 batters. With each season raising the bar, PSL continues to evolve into one of the most exciting and competitive T20 leagues globally.
