Qalandars the champions
The recently-concluded PSL season, meanwhile, has seen the premier cricket league complete a decade of its inception - something that speaks of its tremendous all-round success. While the league has proved a big hit from the point of view of professional development of the players involved, it has also brought huge monetary benefits for all those associated with the event in any capacity - players, officials, franchise owners, broadcasters, etc. It has also served to lift the training and playing facilities, over the years, which had been subpart before the league came into being. The sporting gala has also helped set off economic activities in the country which have otherwise slowed down due to the policy of fiscal tightening being pursued by the incumbent government. To top it all, the league has played an instrumental role in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, which had become a sporting outcast in the wake of the 2009 terrorist attack in Lahore on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team.
The decade of the PSL success is worth celebrating - indeed!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
BD level T20 series against SL
Bangladesh bounced back in emphatic fashion to level the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, cruising to an 83-run win in the second encounter at Dambulla on Sunday. After being outclassed in the opening game at Pallekele, the visitors rang in three changes and produced a performance that ticked all the boxes. Asked to bat first, they posted a competitive 177 before rolling over the hosts for a paltry 94 -- Sri Lanka's lowest T20I total against Bangladesh and their heaviest defeat to the Tigers in the format. It was also the lowest T20I total ever recorded by Sri Lanka at home. The hosts, chasing what seemed a gettable target on a decent surface, never got out of the blocks. The innings unravelled in a flash, lasting just 15.2 overs as wickets tumbled like a house of cards. The slide began when the in-form Kusal Mendis, guilty of complacency, tapped one to cover and set off for a single without urgency. Shamim Hossain swooped in and with a rocket arm nailed a direct hit, the turning point that opened the floodgates. Sri Lanka were reeling at 30 for four inside the Power Play, with the top order back in the hut. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain turned the screws, claiming three wickets to stop a faltering Sri Lankan chase in its tracks. Only two Sri Lankan batters reached double digits as the middle order folded under pressure and Bangladesh's fielders threw themselves around like men possessed. Earlier, Bangladesh had themselves stumbled at the start, losing both openers inside the first two overs. But skipper Litton Das stood tall, anchoring the innings with his 12th T20I half-century -- a classy 76 off 50 balls studded with one four and five sixes. He rode his luck, surviving twice, on 30 and 56, both off the bowling of Jeffrey Vandersay and made Sri Lanka pay dearly. Litton found a willing ally in Shamim and together they stitched a brisk 77-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 39 deliveries. Shamim provided the fireworks, blasting 48 from 27 balls with five boundaries and two towering sixes, giving the innings the momentum it sorely needed.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Babar, Rizwan face axe from T20s
The careers of three major pillars of the Pakistani cricket team – Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan – appear to be hanging in the balance as they face selection dilemma for upcoming tours. Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan – all once key members of the national team – are now being consistently overlooked, raising questions about the future of their international careers. Shaheen, 25, has seemingly fallen out of favor with selectors. After being left out of the home series against Bangladesh, he's now also been excluded from the return tour. Sources claim that selector Aaqib Javed cited Shaheen's underwhelming performance in New Zealand, saying he needs to correct his flaws. Ironically, Shaheen led Lahore Qalandars to a HBL Pakistan Super League title and was the tournament's top wicket-taker with 19 scalps. Aaqib had previously worked with him as part of the same franchise, though their relationship is now said to be strained. While vacationing in England with his family, Shaheen was called back by selectors, but was then left out of the squad without any prior notice. He reportedly found out through social media. Some media reports had suggested disciplinary issues as the reason for his omission, but a top PCB official refuted these claims, reiterating that the decision was based purely on cricketing grounds, and that the board had not issued any directive against his selection. "If there were disciplinary issues, he wouldn't have been invited to the training camp either," the official added. Regarding Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, sources reveal that there is currently no plan to include them in the T20 squad. Coach Mike Hesson has already advised both players that they must adapt their playing approach in the shorter format and show some intent if they hope to make a comeback. Shaheen, Shadab Khan, and Salman Ali Agha are reportedly part of Mike Hesson's "core team", but will be rested periodically as part of a rotation policy. Shaheen might still be in contention for the upcoming West Indies tour, while Babar and Rizwan may be considered for the ODI squad. It's worth noting that Shadab is currently sidelined due to surgery, and the PCB is still in discussions to convert all three ODIs against the West Indies into T20 matches. If that happens, Babar and Rizwan's return could be delayed even further. Recently, in a media briefing, Coach Hesson said that Shaheen needs to improve his performance. He also dismissed rumors suggesting he had asked Babar Azam to take on wicketkeeping duties to re-enter the team. According to sources, these rumors were likely spread by "social media warriors" trying to drum up public support for the sidelined players. Pakistan Shaheens squad named for Eng tour The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an 18-member squad for the Pakistan Shaheens' upcoming multi-format tour of England, scheduled to begin later this month. The tour will run from July 17 to August 6. Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel has been named captain and will lead a team that includes three other Test players: fast bowler Musa Khan, left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. The squad also features 14 emerging players, 11 of whom are under the age of 25. Among them are the top scorers from the most recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - Azan Awais and Maaz Sadaqat - along with Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Shamyl Hussain, who strengthen the batting lineup. Rohail Nazir will serve as the wicketkeeper for the tour. The pace attack includes Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, and Ubaid Shah, while the spin department will be led by Sajid Khan, with support from Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mubasir Khan. The team will assemble for a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi before flying out to England on July 16. The final schedule and venues for the matches will be shared by the PCB in due course. Pakistan Shaheens squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid Shah.
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Express Tribune
ICC Test rankings: Harry Brook overtakes Joe Root to become premier Test batter in the world
In a major shake-up at the top of the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, England's Harry Brook has reclaimed the No. 1 spot, dethroning teammate Joe Root after an outstanding performance in the second Test against India in Birmingham. Brook's magnificent 158-run innings in the first innings helped propel him to the top, leaving Root in second place, 18 rating points adrift. The Edgbaston Test also saw a strong rise for India's Shubman Gill, who made significant strides in the rankings. The Indian captain moved up 15 places to secure a career-high sixth spot, following a brilliant 269 and 161 in the second Test, marking his first victory as captain. Gill now finds himself just 79 rating points behind Brook, with only Root, Kane Williamson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Steve Smith ahead of him in the rankings. England's Jamie Smith also enjoyed a remarkable rise, improving by 16 places to break into the top 10. Smith's stellar performances, with scores of 184 not out and 88, secured him the 10th position in the rankings. In bowling, India's Jasprit Bumrah remains the top-ranked Test bowler despite missing the Birmingham Test due to workload management. His compatriot, Mohammed Siraj, also climbed six places to 22nd after a solid performance against England. Meanwhile, West Indies' Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph both rose six spots, securing 29th and 31st positions, respectively. Noman Ali remains the only Pakistani player to stay in top 10 of Test bowler rankings. Shifting focus to the ODI rankings, Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka gained ground after leading his side to a 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh. Asalanka moved up two places to secure sixth position among ODI batters, just behind the top-ranked Gill. Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis also saw a significant boost, rising 10 spots to 10th place following his Player of the Series performance against Bangladesh. Babar Azam retains his No. 2 rank in ODI batters ranking. With these changes, both the Test and ODI rankings are witnessing a fascinating shift, as new stars rise and established names continue to challenge for supremacy.
