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PSL 2023: Peshawar Zalmi trump Lahore Qalandars

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Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday defeated Lahore Qalandars by 35 runs during the 23rd match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Chasing a target of 208 runs, the Qalandars were all out for 172 in 19.4 overs.

The result also means that Karachi Kings are out of the race for the playoffs.

During the run-chase the Qalandars opener Shawaiz Irfan was cleaned up by Arshad Iqbal in the first over for a duck.

The left-hander reached his fifty in 26 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

However, Saim was dismissed by Rashid Khan after scoring 68 runs in 36 balls.

Soon after, Mohammad Haris (9) became Rashid’s second wicket after he top-edged a sweep shot with Sikandar Raza completing a simple catch at the third man.

Despite bagging two wickets, Rashid conceded 41 runs in his full quota of four overs.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman miscued a pull shot and handed Wahab Riaz his first wicket after scoring run-a-ball 11. On the very next ball, Sam Billings was sent packing for a golden duck by the experienced Riaz.

Azmatullah Omarzai got in on the action as well after dismissing the in-form Abdullah Shafique. The right-hander scored seven runs in 12 balls.

The Qalandars were reduced to 24-4 in the batting powerplay. However, at this stage, Shaheen Afridi and Hussain Talat notched up a 114-run partnership in 65 balls to give their side an outside chance while chasing the daunting target.

Shaheen Afridi went back to the pavilion after scoring his maiden fifty. He added 52 runs in 36 balls with the help of three fours and five sixes.

Hussain Talat’s resistance came to an end after scoring 63 runs in 37 balls which included four fours and five sixes.

Sikandar Raza played a cameo of 20 runs in seven balls.

Arshad Iqbal and Wahab Riaz bagged two wickets each for Zalmi.

Earlier, Zalmi, who looked set for a total of around 230 after an explosive start, were bowled out for 207 in 19.3 overs.

Zalmi’s opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub took the attack to the opposition as the duo stitched 107 runs in 66 balls.

Saim looked in great touch against a world-class bowling attack of the Qalandars as he played some stunning shots to all parts of the ground.

The left-hander reached his fifty in 26 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

However, Saim was dismissed by Rashid Khan after scoring 68 runs in 36 balls.

Soon after, Mohammad Haris (9) became Rashid’s second wicket after he top-edged a sweep shot with Sikandar Raza completing a simple catch at third man.

Despite bagging two wickets, Rashid conceded 41 runs in his full quota of four overs.

Babar was dismissed after scoring 50 runs in 41 balls with Haris Rauf taking his first wicket of the match. The right-handed smacked four fours and two sixes.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore provided impetus at the backend of the innings with 36 runs in 16 balls.

Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for the Qalandars with figures of 4-31 in four overs.

Zalmi lost eight wickets in the last five overs while scoring 50 runs in the process.

This was only the second time in eight-year history of PSL that all 20 wickets fell in a match.

Playing XI

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah (wk), Rovman Powell, Aamer Jamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wahab Riaz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Arshad Iqbal.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Shawaiz Irfan, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), David Wiese, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.

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Younis Khan supports two contenders to lead Pakistan in white-ball cricket.

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Younis Khan, the former captain of Pakistan, identified left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan as possible successors to Babar Azam as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.

When Younis spoke to the media at the storied Adelaide Oval, he suggested that Babar would become a better hitter if he gave up the captaincy.

Younis stated, “Babar Azam will benefit from stepping away from the captaincy.”

It’s a common mistake in our culture, in my opinion, to designate the biggest player as captain. He continued, “Mohammad Rizwan or Fakhar Zaman ought to be given consideration for the position.

Along with discussing the current status of the national men’s cricket team and expressing hope that they would perform well in Australia, the captain of the 2009 T20 World Cup also shared his thoughts.

“I hope the men’s cricket team from Pakistan does well in Australia. Young players make up the present group, and there are undoubtedly some problems with team selection that need to be fixed, according to Younis.

Younis Khan continued to praise Australia’s former bowler Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s head coach for red-ball cricket, saying that he is putting in a lot of effort to improve Pakistani cricket.

“Jason Gillespie and I played cricket together; he is putting a lot of effort into strengthening the Pakistani team. On the other hand, better judgment is required when it comes to choosing,” he stated.

In case you missed it, Younis Khan is visiting Australia in order to take part in the Australian Summer Cricket Festival, which is set to take place in Melbourne on October 5.

The event, which aims to promote the game and bring together cricket talent from around the world, will include the former captain of Pakistan along with Glenn Maxwell and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

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Usman Qadir declares his cricket retirement.

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The statement was made by the leg-spinner in a message uploaded on X, which was once known as Twitter. Usman Qadir’s final Pakistani game was in 2022.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude as I reflect on this incredible journey,” he said, announcing his retirement from Pakistan cricket today.

“Representing my country has been an enormous honor, and I am grateful for my teammates’ and coaches’ support throughout the entire process.”

“Every experience, from life-changing setbacks to priceless triumphs, has molded my profession and enhanced my quality of life. The cricket player continued, “I’m incredibly grateful to the devoted supporters who have always stood by me; your unwavering support has meant the world.”

“I will be continuing my dad’s legacy as I step into this new chapter, embracing both my love for cricket and the lessons he instilled in me,” he went on. The essence of Pakistani cricket and the priceless moments we shared are with me. I am very grateful for what you have done.

It should be noted that Usman Qadir, the late Abdul Qadir’s son and a great leg-spinner in Pakistan, has participated in 25 Twenty20 Internationals and one ODI, taking 29 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95.

The 31-year-old cricket player has accused former PCB technical director Mohammad Hafeez of being the reason of his expulsion from the national squad in May 2024.

Speaking on a regional YouTube channel, Usman asserted that, because of his recent success in domestic cricket, former T20 captain Shaheen Afridi had guaranteed him a spot in the January series against New Zealand.

He claimed that Hafeez’s meddling had harmed his career and accused him of pushing back against his selection.

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Following Babar’s resignation, Mohammad Rizwan is the “strongest candidate” to lead the Pakistani team.

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The people who know are saying that Mohammad Rizwan has been invited to discuss with important PCB authorities over the teams.

As white-ball coach Gary Kirsten wanted Babar at the top, the sources claimed that he was urged to remain captain of the ODI team rather than to resign from the position.

The sources insisted that Kirsten’s desire to alter the team’s captain for the T20 format was part of their future strategies and that the coach had requested the move in July.

The sources added that in July, Kirsten traveled to Pakistan for meetings and to present a report on the T20 World Cup. The coach also met with Babar during same month to talk about captaincy issues.

No consultation process involved Babar either. Nonetheless, prior to announcing his resignation, he had communicated his choice to a senior board member.

It was stated one day earlier by the former captain of Pakistan that he would be giving up his white-ball captaincy to concentrate on his playing career and personal development.

The 29-year-old hitter said on X, “By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving ahead and spend more energy on my game and personal growth.

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