Sports Bulletin

Karachi (Sports News): Babar Azam registered his third HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) century as unbeaten Peshawar Zalmi thumped Quetta Gladiators by a record 118-run margin in the second match of Sunday’s double-header here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi.Monday, 20 April will be a rest day in HBL PSL before the action returns on Tuesday with another double-header split between Lahore and Karachi.Peshawar Zalmi’s 255-3 in 20 overs became the third-highest total in the HBL PSL and only the fifth score ever in excess of the 250-run mark. In turn, Zalmi’s rookie pace duo of Ali Raza (3-9) and Mohammad Basit (3-26), who combined to dismantle three of the top four batters and blew away Gladiators for a mere 137 in 18.1 overs. The 118-run winning margin registered by Zalmi is the fourth-highest in terms of runs after they also registered the 159-run margin against Karachi Kings on 9 April at the same venue. Zalmi now have 15 points to their name off eight games.Peshawar Zalmi took 76 runs off the last five overs of their innings, while Babar dramatically brought up his 12th T20 century and first in 67 innings on the last ball of the innings – 52nd ball of his outing - with a double.Babar, who finished on 100 off 52, hit six fours and four sixes and also put on a brisk unbeaten 66-run stand off 22 balls with Aaron Hardie (26 not out, 10b, 3x6s). Babar’s all four sixes came in the last four overs as he went after Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq and Alzarri Joseph. It was also the first time in T20 cricket that a batter faced only a solitary dot ball after facing 50 or more balls.Earlier, Babar and Kusal Mendis again joined forces to put on a second century partnership in the tournament worth 135 runs off 75 balls after Mohammad Haris (16, 6b, 1x4, 2x6s) departed in the second over. Mendis, the leading run-scorer in the HBL PSL 11 with 413 runs, fell for 83 off 44 balls hitting 10 fours and three sixes. This was Mendis’ third half-century besides his 109 against Kings on 9 April.The duo brought up the second-highest powerplay score in HBL PSL 11 – 80-1. By the halfway mark Zalmi had notched 115 runs and then Usman broke the stand in the 15th over with scorecard reading 165-2.From this over, young Farhan Yousuf (19, 8b, 2x4s, 1x6) laid the marker for the big total by hitting Usman for a six and a four on consecutive balls. He fell to Abrar in the 17th over as Babar and Hardie went ballistic.For Gladiators, Jahandad, Joseph and Usman Tariq were hit for 50 more runs.In the chase, Quetta Gladiators’ left-arm pacer Mohammad Basit brought the goods in the fourth over removing Saud Shakeel for 12 and Rilee Rossouw for a golden duck. Ali Raza, who was constantly clocking in excess of 140 kph, during his 3.1 overs, then removed Hasan Nawaz in last over of powerplay, at the end of which the Gladiators were 42-3.No.6 Bevon Jacobs (34, 27b, 1x4, 3x6s) and no.5 Dinesh Chandimal (19, 8b, 1x4, 2x6s) threatened for moments before perishing as Gladiators slumped from 44-3 to 82-7 and then 137 all out. Jospeh struck two sixes in his 15-ball 19 not out. Ali Raza’s figures read 3.1-0-9-3, while Basit’s three came in four. Sufyan Moqim and Michael Bracewell picked up one wicket each.Scores in brief:Peshawar Zalmi 255-3, 20 overs (Babar Azam 100 not out, Kusal Mendis 83, Aaron Hardie 26 not out)Quetta Gladiators 137 all out, 18.1 overs (Bevon Jacobs 34, Shamyl Hussain 21; Ali Raza 3-9, Mohammad Basit 3-26, Aaron Hardie 2-11)Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi)

Lahore (Sports News): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced match officials for the forthcoming Pakistan v Zimbabwe Women’s series scheduled to take place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 4 to 15 May.The six-match white-ball series includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29, followed by three T20Is.Sri Lanka’s Nimali Perera will stand as on-field umpire in all six matches of the series. PCB’s match umpires including Zulfiqar Jan, Tariq Rasheed, Saleema Imtiaz, Faisal Afridi and Nasir Hussain will perform their duties as match officials across the white-ball series. Humairah Farah will perform reserve umpire duties in the ODI matches.Umpire and match referee appointments (Matches from 4 to 15 May)4 May – First ODI – Nimali Perera and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Kamran Choudhry (match referee)6 May – Second ODI – Nimali Perera and Tariq Rasheed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Kamran Choudhry (match referee)9 May – Third ODI – Nimali Perera and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Zulfiqar Jan (reserve umpire); Kamran Choudhry (match referee)12 May – First T20I – Nimali Perera and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Nasir Hussain (third umpire), Saleema Imtiaz (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)14 May – Second T20I – Nimali Perera and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires), Saleema Imtiaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)15 May – Third T20I – Nimali Perera and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Faisal Afridi (third umpire), Nasir Hussain (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)

Karachi (Sports News): The HBL Pakistan Super League 11 has seen a total of 26 matches till 17 April with Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen having played seven matches each. Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Rawalpindiz have so far played six matches each. Out of the remaining 14 league matches, five are set to be played at Gaddafi Stadium with Quetta, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar set to be in action there. At the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, the remaining nine league matches will be played till the 26 April double-header. The Qualifier between the top two teams will be played on 28 April at the National Bank Stadium. The third and fourth-placed teams will then lock horns in Eliminator 1 on 29 April in Lahore. The losing team of the Qualifier and winner of the Eliminator 1 will be pitted against each other on 1 May in Eliminator 2 in Lahore as well to decide the second finalist. The final of the HBL PSL 11 between the winners of the Qualifier and Eliminator 2 will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday, 3 May. Following is the breakdown of how all the teams fare before the playoffs and final: 8. Rawalpindiz: The newcomers to the HBL PSL have lost all their six matches and are out of the playoffs race. For them the remaining four matches are a great opportunity to finish the season on a high. For three of the four oppositions those matches could carry a lot of importance with respect to qualification so the Rawalpindiz can play spoilsport if they win some. Upcoming fixtures: v LQ on 18 April, v MS on 21 April, v IU on 23 April, v HK 26 April Top run scorer so far: Sam Billings – 188 runs Top wicket-taker so far: Mohammad Amir – 8 wickets 7. Lahore Qalandars: The defending champions have beaten Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans so far with the latter being a 13-over rain-hit affair. Three of their four losses have come in Karachi, where they have been bowled out for 100 in 18.3 overs, 97 in 17 overs and 134 in 19.5 overs. At the same turf, they now face the prospect of a must-win match today against Rawalpindiz before flying out to face Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar in Lahore. Winning all four games promises a total of 12 points, which will certainly ensure a fourth place at least. Losing even one of the games will almost force them out albeit a tie of 10 points with any of the teams enters into a net run rate battle and theirs is currently -1.020.  Upcoming fixtures: v RP on 18 April, v QG on 21 April, v KK on 23 April, v PZ on 25 April Top run scorer so far: Haseebullah – 123 runs Top wicket-taker so far: Shaheen Shah Afridi – 11 wickets 6. Karachi Kings: The 2020 champions have blown hot and cold in their six matches. They beat Quetta, Lahore and Rawalpindiz to open their campaign with confidence in Lahore, but then lost to Peshawar, Hyderabad and Islamabad in Karachi. They were also without captain David Warner in the last two games who sat out with back pain.In ascending order on the table, Karachi Kings (-1.501 NRR), Hyderabad Kingsmen (-0.470 NRR) and Quetta Gladiators (+0.483) are three teams tied on six points but separated by net run rate. Karachi can gain a maximum of 14 points but for that they will have to beat Multan, Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta. In that case, Karachi will upend Lahore and Quetta’s prospects and automatically be above Kingsmen.Upcoming fixtures: v MS on 19 April, v PZ on 22 April, v LQ on 23 April, v QG on 25 April Top run scorer so far: Azam Khan – 187 runs Top wicket-taker so far: Hasan Ali – 10 wickets 5. Hyderabad Kingsmen: The Hyderabad Kingsmen have made a remarkable turnaround in their campaign so far winning three matches back-to-back and jumping to fourth for once after losing their first four games. Glenn Maxwell’s addition has brought balance to the side and coincided with a shift in results, while Hassan Khan, Marnus Labuschagne and Hunain Shah have earned player of the match awards in the three wins so far. They now face the steep challenge of beating second and third placed Islamabad United and Multan Sultans, while they will be up against Rawalpindiz in their last league match. Wins in these three matches will give them a maximum of 12 points, which could still turn out to be precarious if they don’t maintain a better net run rate.Upcoming fixtures: v MS on 22 April, v IU on 24 April, v RP on 26 April (afternoon game) Top run scorer so far: Marnus Labuschagne – 203 runs Top wicket-taker so far: Mohammad Ali – 9 wickets 4. Quetta Gladiators: The Saud Shakeel-led outfit enjoy the fourth place currently after net run rate boosting 40-run win over Kingsmen and a 61-run win over Rawalpindiz. On Friday night, they put on complete all-round performance, dismantling the defending champions with pace, spin and a century stand.  The contest against red-hot Peshawar will determine if the last year’s losing finalists can stand the pressures of the business end of the tournament. Whether they get over the line or not in that game, they will have a chance to spoil Lahore and Karachi’s prospects of going ahead by winning those games. If they manage to win all three, it will put them in good stead for cementing the fourth position.Upcoming fixtures: v PZ on 19 April, v LQ on 21 April (afternoon game), v KK on 25 April (afternoon game)Top run scorer so far: Hasan Nawaz - 283 runs Top wicket-taker (s) so far: Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed and Alzarri Joseph (7 wickets each)3. Multan Sultans: Multan Sultans have lost to Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi so far while having beaten Islamabad, Hyderabad, Quetta and Rawalpindiz. Their only game in Karachi so far yielded a 24-run defeat against Peshawar, where they lost their top five to Sufyan Moqim and Iftikhar Ahmed. Their next three games are in a space of four days before they face Islamabad in the last game on 26 April.They have the chance to lay to rest Karachi Kings’ chances, hand Rawalpindiz second head-to-head loss and spoil Hyderabad’s campaign as well. If they win all these games then they will be in a strong position in terms of points before their last game against a strong United outfit.Defeats in the first two of the four remaining matches could open competition for playoffs slots and make the table more interesting.  Upcoming fixtures: v KK on 19 April (afternoon game), v RP on 21 April, v HK on 22 April, v IU on 26 AprilTop run scorer so far: Sahibzada Farhan – 249 runs Top wicket-taker (s) so far: Mohammad Nawaz and Peter Siddle (6 wickets each)2. Islamabad United: Second-placed Islamabad United have won all their four matches while chasing. They lost their opening game against Multan Sultans and on 12 April they faced a setback against Hyderabad Kingsmen. They beat Karachi Kings to come back to winning ways on 16 April. Shadab’s team will be eager to enter their nine points so far to double figure mark with a win over Rawalpindiz in the Twin-cities Derby on 23 April. Islamabad United will have to surmount the Hyderabad and Multan challenge in their remaining two games. Two losses in the three last games can also put them in danger of falling off the cliff. Upcoming fixtures: v RP on 23 April (afternoon game), v HK on 24 April, v MS on 26 AprilTop run scorer so far: Sameer Minhas – 265 runs Top wicket-taker so far: Shadab Khan – 9 wickets 1. Peshawar Zalmi The only unbeaten team in the HBL PSL 11 was confirmed to have qualified for the playoffs after Lahore Qalandars lost to Quetta Gladiators on Friday night. Zalmi have been clinical in their six completed matches with only Hyderabad Kingsmen threatening to beat them in a last-ball thriller on 8 April. In the next game, Zalmi flexed their muscle with the largest ever winning margin in HBL PSL’s history – 159 – against Karachi Kings. Zalmi have 13 points to their name and will face Quetta, Karachi and Lahore in their last three matches. All three oppositions are fighting for a fourth-place finish and can prove their worth by beating the title contenders Zalmi. Meanwhile, their potent weapon Nahid Rana, who picked up 7-76 in his 14 overs across four matches is no longer available. Sufyan Moqim, though, is in elite bowling form and has become the first Pakistan bowler to take three or more wickets in five consecutive T20s. Upcoming fixtures: v QG on 19 April, v KK on 22 April (Afternoon game), v LQ on 25 April. Top run scorer (s) so far: Kusal Mendis (330 runs) and (Babar Azam (301 runs) Top wicket-taker so far: Sufyan Moqim (16 wickets) 

Karachi (Sports News): Quetta Gladiators jumped from sixth to fourth on the points table as they secured a crucial six-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars to bounce back from their eight-wicket loss to Peshawar Zalmi here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night.After Usman Tariq took 3-18 and Jahandad Khan picked up as many wickets for 35 runs, Quetta restricted Qalandars to 134 all out. In turn, a century partnership from Rilee Rossouw, who scored his second half-century in HBL PSL 11, and Hasan Nawaz, who missed his fifty by one run, sealed the game for Gladiators.Lahore Qalandars have now incurred a nine-wicket, 76-run and a six-wicket loss in Karachi and find themselves at seventh with only four points to their name.Quetta displaced Hyderabad Kingsmen at the fourth spot based on better net run rate pushing them a spot below. Karachi Kings have also six points but are placed sixth. Meanwhile, table toppers Peshawar Zalmi have now qualified for the playoffs with three game still to go and 13 points in the bag.Qalandars, who are set to take the field again on Saturday against Rawalpindiz, opted to bat first and were blown away by Gladiators pacers Alzarri Joseph, Jahandad and Saqib Khan with just 42 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets in 6.3 overs.Jahandad castled Mohammad Naeem early, while Joseph accounted for aggressive Fakhar Zaman (20, 11b, 4x4s) and incoming no.4 batter Charith Asalanka. Saqib trapped Mohammad Farooq leg-before to claim his maiden HBL PSL wicket.Player of the match Usman Tariq then jolted Qalandars who were trying to recover with sluggish 18-run fifth-wicket stand between Abdullah Shafique (17, 22b, 1x4) and Haseebullah (33, 37b, 4x4s) with two wickets in 11th over. He got Abdullah stumped and Shaheen Shah Afridi leg-before for a two-ball duck.Sikandar (15, 17b, 1x4) became Usman’s third wicket as he was castled with Qalandars languishing at 84-7 in 16.1 overs. That the Qalandars were able to post a healthy total was largely due to Usama Mir playing a blinder seven-ball 22 cameo at no.10. He struck three sixes and a four overall and took 24 runs off the penultimate over with Haseebullah.Jahandad picked up two wickets on the penultimate and second-last ball of the 20th over after Usama had hit him for a six and a four. Daniel Sams remained unbeaten on 12 off eight balls hitting two fours as Qalandars were dismissed for 134.In turn, Shaheen removed Shamyl Hussain for a three-ball duck, picking up a wicket in the opening over for the 25th time in HBL PSL. In the third over, Saud Shakeel was run out by Asalanka as Qalandars sensed an opportunity.Rossouw and Nawaz then put the Qalandars bowlers on back foot for the next 69 balls putting on 104 runs. Rossouw finished with 60 off 49 balls hitting five fours and two sixes, while Hasan fell to Sikandar for 49 off 32 balls after hitting six delightful fours and two sixes.Haris Rauf’s dismissal of Dinesh Chandimal, who replaced the ill Tom Curran in this game, did not affect Gladiators as they romped home with 22 balls to spare.Scores in brief:Lahore Qalandars 134 all out, 19.5 overs (Haseebullah 33, Usama Mir 22, Fakhar Zaman 20; Usman Tariq 3-18, Jahandad Khan 3-35, Alzarri Joseph 2-41)Quetta Gladiators 138-4, 16.2 overs (Rilee Rossouw 60 not out, Hasan Nawaz 49)Player of the Match – Usman Tariq (Quetta Gladiators)Saturday’s fixture: Lahore Qalandars v Rawalpindiz at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 7pm PKT 

Lahore (Our Staff Reporter):The Men’s National Selection Committee has named a 16-member squad for the two-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh set to take place in Bangladesh next month. The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test which will be played from 16 to 20 May.Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test side, while four uncapped players – Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are part of the squad.Among the squad, five players – Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are currently taking part in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore.The players will undergo a camp in Karachi and will assemble on Monday, 27 April. The camp will conclude on 1 May, with the players scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on 2 May. Players who are part of the Test squad and are currently taking part in HBL PSL Xl will join the camp following the conclusion of their team’s campaign. Players whose teams qualify for the final will depart for Bangladesh after the conclusion of the tournament.The PCB also confirms the appointment of red-ball coaches for the Bangladesh tour, with former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach. Sarfaraz, who won two ICC titles as captain of Pakistan – ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 also guided Pakistan U19 to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager five months ago. He was also mentor/manager of Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions series earlier this year.Former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul will work as batting and bowling coaches, respectively, on the tour. Asad featured in 147 international matches (77 Tests, 60 ODIs, 10 T20Is), scoring 6,188 runs, including 12 centuries and 36 half-centuries. Right-arm fast bowler Umar featured in 237 international matches (47 Tests, 130 ODIs, 60 T20Is), taking 427 wickets.16-member squad:Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah AfridiTeam management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach) Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).

Karachi (Sports News): Islamabad United continued their dominant head-to-head record against Karachi Kings with an 11th consecutive triumph since February 2021 with a latest eight-wicket thumping in the second match of the Pink Ribbon Day Double-header here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Thursday.Karachi Kings have only managed six wins ever over Islamabad United with four of them coming in the first three seasons and two in 2020.The Thursday’s double-header marked the Pink Ribbon Day in the HBL PSL 11 as the players and officials came together to raise awareness for breast cancer. The official hashtag of the event #GoPink became the no.1 global trend on X after the cricket fraternity shared their thoughts regarding the Pink Day.Opening duo Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway made light work of the 151-run target with a 93-run opening stand as United cruised home with 24 balls to spare. Both registered half-centuries as Sameer was named player of the match for his 36-ball 58 with the help of 10 fours and two outstanding fielding efforts.Conway brought up his second half-century of the tournament and remained unbeaten on 53 off 36 balls striking six fours and one six. Sameer departed at the halfway mark after completing his second fifty and collected the second player of the match award for it.Skipper Shadab (31 not out, 16b, 1x4, 2x6s) and Conway shared a 40-run unbeaten stand to see their team home. United jumped to the second spot on the points table with four wins and nine points to their name. Karachi Kings are placed fifth with only three wins, which came in Lahore leg, while they have lost three on the trot in Karachi.For the Kings, Hasan Ali removed Mohammad Faiq for an eight-ball five, while Moeen accounted for Sameer as Saad Baig effected the stumping.Earlier, for the second straight game in the day a team won the toss and elected to bowl first. Karachi Kings fielded Jason Roy as their debutant in place of Muhammad Waseem, while Moeen continued to stand-in for David Warner, who is expected to recover for the next game.No.3 batter Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten half-century kept the Kings innings from faltering away as they collected only seven runs from the opening two overs losing Saad Baig to Richard Gleeson.Roy (39, 27b, 3x4s, 2x6s) and Hendricks built a 62-run second-wicket stand and threatened to lay the foundation for a healthy total but skipper Shadab provided the vital breakthrough. He snapped Roy and Salman Ali Agha across 9th and 11th overs to leave Kings 77-3 in 10.2 overs.Hendricks, whose 51 not out came off 44 balls, hit only four fours in his outing. He stitched a 54-run stand off 45 balls as United kept the scoring rate in check.Azam fell to Gleeson with Sameer taking brilliant diving catch in the off-side outfield, while in the next over Sameer and Chapman executed an outstanding relay catch at the cow corner to remove Khushdil Shah for just two.Moeen only managed a six in his five-ball eight before falling on the penultimate ball of the innings to Mohammad Hasnain. Gleeson and Shadab accounted for two wickets each giving away 22 and 28 runs respectively in their four overs each. Faheem had one wicket to his name.Scores in brief:Karachi Kings 150-6, 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 51 not out, Jason Roy 39, Azam Khan 34; Richard Gleeson 2-22, Shadab Khan 2-28)Islamabad United 153-2, 16 overs (Sameer Minhas 58, Devon Conway 53 not out, Shadab Khan 31 not out)Player of the Match – Sameer Minhas (Islamabad United)Friday’s fixture: Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 7pm PKT

Karachi (Sports News): Skipper Babar Azam anchored a clinical chase with 71 not out as Peshawar Zalmi stayed unbeaten in HBL Pakistan Super League 11 with an eight-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators in Match 23 at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.The win extended Peshawar’s lead at the top of the table with 13 points in seven games and took them within touching distance to the play-offs.Babar's measured knock off 51 balls laced with 10 boundaries guided Peshawar to 156 for two in 18.3 overs in pursuit of 155 set by the Quetta. This was also Babar’s 100th T20 half-century. Mohammad Haris provided the early impetus with 35 from 28 balls, while Aaron Hardie remained unbeaten on 18 to seal a comfortable victory with nine deliveries to spare.Earlier, HBL PSL debutant Mohammad Basit (4-0-36-3) and Sufyan Moqim (4-0-25-3) combined to skittle Quetta for 154 in 20 overs, with Hasan Nawaz top-scored for the Quetta with 37 from 35 balls hitting four fours in a stop-start innings that never quite found rhythm against Peshawar's disciplined attack.While chasing, Haris and Babar set off in a hurry with a 75-run opening stand inside the first nine overs. Haris dominated the early exchanges, taking the Quetta's new-ball pair for five fours and a six in his 28-ball stay before falling in the ninth over caught by Shamyl Hussain off the captain Saud Shakeel for 35.Babar then rebuilt with Kusal Mendis as the pair shared a 49-run second-wicket stand. The captain reached his half-century off 37 balls with seven boundaries and continued to find the rope at regular intervals as Peshawar inched closer to the target.Mendis fell for 21 from 19 balls in the 16th over caught by Usman Tariq off Alzarri Joseph but Hardie joined his captain to see the chase through with a composed cameo of 18 not out from 14 balls.Alzarri Joseph (4-0-32-1) and Saud Shakeel (3-0-23-1) were the only Quetta bowlers to take wickets on a tough evening for the Quetta attack.Earlier, having been put in to bat, Quetta lost Ahsan Ali for four in the very first over caught off Iftikhar Ahmed (4-0-20-1). Captain Saud Shakeel briefly steadied the innings with 16 from 13 balls before being run out by Farhan Yousaf via Iftikhar Ahmed in the fifth over.Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz then attempted to rebuild with a 23-run third-wicket stand before Sufyan Moqim struck in the eighth over, bowling Rossouw for 26. The left hander became the first foreign and fourth player overall to feature in 100 HBL PSL games.Mohammad Basit then accounted for Shamyl Hussain caught by Aaron Hardie for 12 in the 12th over to leave Quetta 86 for four.Khawaja Mohammad Nafay played a lone hand with 20 from 13 balls including a six but Sufyan trapped him leg-before-wicket in the 16th over with the score on 120 for six. Hasan, who had anchored the innings, fell to Basit for 37 in the 15th over before Tom Curran provided a late flourish with 15 from 10 balls.Quetta's lower order folded quickly with Basit returning to remove Curran and Joseph in the 19th over before Usman Tariq was run out off the final delivery to bring the innings to a close at 154 all out.Sufyan’s three-wicket haul brought him the laurel of becoming the first Pakistan bowler to take three or more wickets in five consecutive T20s. Apart from Basit’s three-for, Iftikhar Ahmed (4-0-20-1) continued his fine form with the ball.Scores in brief:Quetta Gladiators 154 all out, 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 37, Rilee Rossouw 26, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 20; Sufyan Moqim 3-25, Mohammad Basit 3-36)Peshawar Zalmi 156-2, 18.3 overs (Babar Azam 71 not out, Mohammad Haris 35, Kusal Mendis 21)

Lahore (PR): Pindiz provides an update on Jalat Khan, who experienced a side strain during Pindiz vs Islamabad United encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on 4th April.Following medical assessment, the injury has been classified as low grade. He is currently under observation, and a fitness test later this week will determine his availability for the remaining matches.

Karachi (Sports News): Peshawar Zalmi extended their unbeaten run in HBL Pakistan Super League 11 with a 24-run win over Multan Sultans in Match 22 at the National Bank Stadium on Monday, maintaining their position at the top of the standings with 11 points from six matches.Multan Sultans were restricted to 172-8 in 20 overs in reply to Peshawar Zalmi’s 196-6 in 20 overs. Sufyan Moqim (4-0-30-3) and Iftikhar Ahmed (4-0-32-2) shared the wickets of Sultans’ top five batters to leave them in a puzzle.After Sultans opted to bowl, Zalmi’s Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with 68 from 40 balls hitting six fours and three sixes, while Mohammad Haris provided a blistering start with 38 from 17 deliveries as Peshawar posted 196 for six.Peshawar tore into the Multan attack through Haris who smashed three sixes and four boundaries at the top of the order. The opening batter took Mohammad Nawaz for 21 in the third over before nicking one to Josh Philippe behind the stumps.Babar Azam and Mendis then rebuilt with a measured 24-run stand before the captain fell for 18 in the eighth over, caught by Muhammad Shahzad off Nawaz as he attempted to break the shackles with the scoreboard reading 72 for two.Mendis continued to tick the scoreboard over alongside Farhan Yousaf who struck 30 from 22 deliveries including three sixes. The pair added 63 for the third wicket before Farhan hoicked one straight to Shan Masood at deep midwicket off Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the 15th over.Mendis brought up his half-century off 29 deliveries and continued to torment Multan’s attack before falling for 68 in the 18th over caught at long-on. He finished the outing with 309 runs to his name in the tournament.Mohammad Ismail (3-0-22-2) had struck four balls earlier to remove Michael Bracewell (14, 8b, 1x4, 1x6). Iftikhar then provided the late impetus with a 10 off five including a four and a six off Wasim Jnr in the 19th over before falling to Siddle (4-0-29-2) in the 20th, as Peshawar finished on 196 for six.In reply, Multan got off to a flying start through Sahibzada Farhan (17, 10b, 3x4s) and Steve Smith who added 30 for the opening wicket before Iftikhar struck in the third over to dismiss Farhan.Smith and Philippe then counter-attacked in style with Philippe racing to 32 from just 17 balls including six fours as the pair took Multan past 80 inside nine overs.The game swung decisively in the 10th over when Sufyan struck twice. Smith was the first to fall for 31 from 29 balls including three boundaries attempting a slog sweep. Two balls later, Philippe was trapped leg-before wicket for 32 playing across the line.Multan slipped from 85 for one to 86 for three and never quite recovered the required momentum.Ashton Turner (20, 13b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Shan added 37 for the fourth wicket before Sufyan struck again in the 14th over, bowling Turner for 20 through a sharply turning delivery that crashed into the leg stump.Shan fought hard with a 19-ball 35 including five fours but holed out to Samad off Iftikhar in the 16th over, leaving Multan needing 51 from 30 deliveries.Nahid then closed the door at the death, dismissing Arafat Minhas (4) caught by Babar Azam in the 17th over and completing his quota by having Mohammad Wasim caught behind for four in the two-run 19th over as Mendis took a stunning catch.Aamir Jamal accounted for Mohammad Nawaz (16, 16b, 1x4) in the final over as Multan finished on 172 for eight, 24 runs short of the target.Sufiyan, the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets, was named Player of the Match for his match-turning spell of three for 30.Scores in brief:Peshawar Zalmi 196-6, 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 68, Mohammad Haris 38, Farhan Yousaf 30; Mohammad Ismail 2-22, Peter Siddle 2-29)Multan Sultans 172-8, 20 overs (Shan Masood 35, Josh Phillipe 32, Steve Smith 31, Ashton Turner 20; Sufyan Moqim 3-30, Nahid Rana 2-24, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-32)Player of the Match: Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi)Wednesday’s fixture: Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 7pm PKT

 Lahore (Sports News): An all-round performance from captain Tuba Hassan helped Stars beat Invincibles by 52 runs in the final of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2025-26 on Sunday at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground in Lahore. Stars successfully defended their title and pocketed the trophy along with prize money of PKR 1.5 million.Tuba, for her 192 runs and 10 wickets, was also named Player of the Tournament alongside Conquerors’ Fatima Sana, who scored 271 runs and took eight wickets.Batting first in the match, which was broadcast live on PTV Sports, A-Sports, Geo Super and Fast Sports and also live-streamed on Tapmad in Pakistan, Stars made 156 for nine in their 20 overs. Tuba, coming in to bat at number six, scored 50 off 31 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. This was her second half-century of the tournament and she came in to bat with her side reeling at 96 for seven.Sidra Amin was the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 30 off 23 balls, laced with one four and two sixes.For Invincibles, Amber Kainat and Momina Riasat took two wickets each.In reply, Invincibles were bowled out for 104 in 16.1 overs despite captain Muneeba Ali’s 27 off 13 balls. Left-handed batter Muneeba – also the leading run-getter of the tournament was named best batter after scoring 344 runs in nine matches, including four half-centuries, at a strike-rate of 142.74.For Stars, Ayesha Bilal and Tuba Hassan were the most successful bowlers, taking three wickets each, while Omaima Sohail claimed two wickets.Scores in brief: Stars 156-9, 20 overs (Tuba Hassan 50, Sidra Amin 30, Kaynat Hafeez 20; Amber Kainat 2-20, Momina Riasat 2-40Invincibles 104 all out, 16.1 overs (Muneeba Ali 27; Tuba Hassan 3-6, Ayesha Bilal 3-12)Player of the match – Tuba Hassan (Stars)Joint-player of the tournament – Fatima Sana (Conquerors, 271 runs and 8 wickets) and Tuba Hassan (Stars, 192 runs and 10 wickets)Best batter of the tournament – Muneeba Ali (Invincibles, 344 runs, 4x50s)Best bowler of the tournament – Momina Riasat (Invincibles, 16 wickets)Best wicket-keeper of the tournament – Najiha Alvi (Strikers, eight dismissals)