Cricket

Peshawar Zalmi Dominate Quetta Gladiators, Secure Playoff Berth in Pakistan Super LeagueRAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Peshawar Zalmi stormed into the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a resounding 76-run victory over Quetta Gladiators on Friday. The triumph was orchestrated by a brilliant batting performance from Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, who overshadowed Akeal Hosein's hat-trick.Quetta's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 120 in 17.5 overs, chasing Peshawar's imposing total of 196-8. Ayub, who has excelled in his new all-rounder role, played a pivotal role in dismantling Quetta's top order, claiming the wickets of skipper Rilee Rossouw and Khawaja Nafay in quick succession.Babar Azam, the league's leading batter, continued his impressive form with a blistering 53 off 30 deliveries, studded with nine fours and a six. His innings propelled Peshawar to a formidable total.Despite Hosein's hat-trick in the final over, Peshawar's batting depth proved too much for Quetta. Ayub opened the innings with a brisk 30 off 14 balls, while Rovman Powell (28 not out) and Naveen-ul-Haq (10 not out) added a crucial 39 runs in the closing stages.The victory propelled Peshawar to second place in the standings, with a chance to secure a top-two finish in their final league game against Islamabad United on Sunday. Quetta, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to reach the playoffs, needing to win at least one of their remaining two matches.

Islamabad United emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, securing a crucial five-wicket win. The match witnessed a dominant performance from United's fast bowlers, Tymal Mills and Faheem Ashraf, who dismantled Karachi's top order.Mills, making his first appearance in the Rawalpindi leg, proved his worth with an impressive 3 for 34. His deceptive bowling proved too much for Shan Masood and Tim Seifert, who were dismissed for 10 and 26 respectively. Ashraf also played a pivotal role, claiming the wickets of both openers with his cunning deliveries.Karachi's batting lineup struggled to gain momentum, with only Kieron Pollard (39) and James Vince (29) managing to form a substantial partnership. Mills broke the 58-run stand between the duo, dismissing Vince with a delivery that seamed away from the batsman.United's chase began with a shaky start as Mir Hamza dismissed Alex Hales and Colin Munro within the powerplay. However, captain Shadab Khan (34) and Agha Salman (33) steadied the innings with a cautious 56-run partnership.After Salman's dismissal, United lost three wickets in quick succession, but Haider Ali (26*) and Ashraf (12*) guided the team to victory in the 18.4th over.The win propelled Islamabad United to second place in the standings with nine points, while Karachi Kings' playoff hopes took a significant blow. They now need to win their remaining two games and rely on other teams to lose in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Quetta Gladiators' Usman Tariq Faces Scrutiny Over Suspect Bowling ActionQuetta Gladiators' enigmatic spinner Usman Tariq has found himself under the microscope after being reported for a suspect bowling action during the team's match against Karachi Kings on Wednesday. The report, however, does not immediately suspend Tariq from bowling. He is permitted to continue until a formal bowling action test can be scheduled at a PCB-approved facility.Should Tariq be reported again during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he will be barred from bowling further. This is Tariq's maiden PSL season, where he has emerged as one of the most unconventional spin bowlers. The right-arm spinner executes a peculiar delivery stride, coming to an almost complete standstill before releasing the ball with a slinging, side-arm action.Despite his unorthodox style, Tariq has enjoyed moderate success in the tournament, particularly in terms of economy rate. In the three matches he has played, he has conceded runs at a rate of 5.73. While the Gladiators boast Abrar Ahmed, arguably Pakistan's premier spin bowling option, they have opted to field Tariq in three of their games.The Gladiators have enjoyed a successful season by recent standards, winning four and losing two matches. They are one victory away from securing their first playoff berth in five years. The timing of Tariq's bowling action test remains uncertain. Pakistan possesses an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory in Lahore. However, with the remaining PSL fixtures scheduled for Karachi and Rawalpindi, it is unclear whether Tariq will need to travel to Lahore before the tournament concludes.

In a thrilling encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious over table-toppers Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of four runs. Despite a blistering 60 off 27 balls from Iftikhar Ahmed, Sultans fell short of their target of 205 runs, handing Zalmi their second win over the league leaders this season.Zalmi's chase got off to a strong start with captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub putting on a 71-run partnership in the powerplay. Azam continued his impressive form, scoring 64 off 40 balls, while Ayub contributed 46 off 22 balls. However, Usama Mir's three-wicket haul, including the key wicket of Azam, slowed down Zalmi's progress.With 58 runs required off the last three overs, Iftikhar and Chris Jordan launched a counterattack, scoring 75 runs off just 28 balls. Jordan remained unbeaten on 30 off 12 balls, but Zalmi ultimately fell short at 200-5.Earlier, Sultans had posted a competitive total of 204-5, thanks to Azam's knock and Ayub's aggressive batting. However, Zalmi's rookie left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz impressed in the powerplay, dismissing Reeza Hendricks in his debut PSL over.Sultans' top-order struggled against Zalmi's bowling, with Mohammad Rizwan and Dawid Malan falling cheaply. Iftikhar and Jordan's late surge almost pulled off a victory for Sultans, but Zalmi's pacers held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.With this victory, Zalmi moved closer to a place in the final four, while Sultans remained at the top of the table despite their second loss. The match showcased the exciting and unpredictable nature of the PSL, with both teams displaying their fighting spirit and determination.

Multan Sultans' relentless dominance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) continued on Sunday as they secured a 20-run victory over Karachi Kings, propelled by Usman Khan's blistering century. The Sultans' sixth win in seven games solidified their position atop the standings with 12 points, while the Kings remained in fifth place with only two wins from six matches.Usman, a Pakistan-born player now representing the United Arab Emirates, unleashed a whirlwind innings of 106 not out off just 58 deliveries, reaching his century in a mere 56 balls. His explosive knock, the fastest century of the PSL season, laid the foundation for Multan's imposing total of 189 for 3. Captain Mohammad Rizwan provided valuable support with a 58-run contribution.The Kings' chase never gained momentum, as they struggled to keep up with the Sultans' imposing target. Skipper Shan Masood's dismissal for 36 off 29 balls by tournament leading wicket-taker Usama Mir (2-29) set the tone for their struggles. Mir's wickets tally now stands at 15, while fast bowler Mohammad Ali has 14 after claiming 1 for 40.Usman and Rizwan capitalized on some wayward Kings bowling, forging a formidable second-wicket partnership of 148 off 93 balls. Rizwan's half-century was cut short by a catch at mid-off, but Usman continued his onslaught, reaching his ton with a pulled six against Mir Hamza in the final over.The Kings' overseas signings, Tim Seifert (1) and James Vince (7), failed to make an impact, falling cheaply within the batting powerplay. Shoaib Malik emerged as their top scorer with 38, but his dismissal in the 12th over left the Kings with a mountain to climb. Soft dismissals plagued the Kings' run-chase, ultimately leading to their defeat.

Lahore Qalandars' owner Sameen Rana has vehemently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of Haris Rauf's central contract termination, which was announced just two days before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rana condemned the timing of the decision as "pathetic" and accused the PCB of "really poor management."Rana expressed his dismay at the lack of communication with Rauf, stating that the player was not given proper notice or explanation for the termination of his contract. He emphasized that such a public humiliation was unprecedented and disrespectful.The decision came after Rauf made himself unavailable for Pakistan's Test series in Australia, a move that drew criticism from chief selector Wahab Riaz. However, Rana questioned the timing of the announcement, arguing that it was unnecessary and disruptive to Qalandars' PSL campaign.Rana highlighted the impact of the decision on Qalandars, who have struggled in the tournament due to injuries, unavailability, and poor performances. He expressed concern that Rauf's psychological state was affected by the termination, which coincided with his search for form.Rana also revealed that Rauf suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Qalandars against Karachi Kings, which is expected to sideline him for six weeks. He lamented the additional burden placed on the team to motivate Rauf and keep him focused.Rana's criticism reflects the growing frustration within the Qalandars camp over the PCB's handling of the situation. The team has been left reeling from the loss of their premier fast bowler and the negative impact it has had on their PSL campaign.