Latest news with #PeshawarZalmi
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pakistan's Babar signs for Sixers in Big Bash
Pakistan batter Babar Azam will play in the Big Bash for the first time after he was signed by Sydney Sixers before next week's player former national captain, the second-highest run scorer in the history of T20 internationals, will be available for the entirety of the 2025-26 30, has played 320 T20 matches in a number of competitions around the world, and most recently was the top run-scorer for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super he was not selected for Pakistan's recent T20 series against Bangladesh."It's an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world's best T20 leagues and to be a part of such a successful and respected franchise," said Babar. Sixers finished second in the 2024-25 season, but suffered successive defeats in the play-offs, losing to Hobart Hurricanes before being knocked out by rivals Sydney franchise is allowed to contract one overseas player prior to Thursday's were the only men's side not to have signed their overseas player, with England's Jamie Overton, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran and Sam Billings all contracted to other duo Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope, who both played in the competition for the first time last season, are among the players entered in the could both be retained by their previous franchises, Melbourne Renegades or Adelaide Strikers respectively, with each team allowed to retain one further player in the Jones, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt-Hodge could all be retained in the women's competition, where no English players have been Sam Curran and Lauren Bell and Pakistan trio Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan are among the new names to be available in the draft. Pre-signed overseas players for BBL and WBBL BBL: Jamie Overton (Eng, Adelaide Strikers), Colin Munro (NZ, Brisbane Heat), Chris Jordan (Eng, Hobart Hurricanes), Tim Seifert (NZ, Melbourne Renegades), Tom Curran (Eng, Melbourne Stars), Finn Allen (NZ, Perth Scorchers), Babar Azam (Pak, Sydney Sixers), Sam Billings (Eng, Sydney Thunder)WBBL: Laura Wolvaardt (SA, Adelaide Strikers), Nadine de Klerk (SA, Brisbane Heat), Hayley Matthews (WI, Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (SA, Melbourne Stars), Sophie Devine (NZ, Perth Scorchers), Amelia Kerr (NZ, Sydney Sixers), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri, Sydney Thunder) All players must be available for entire BBL/WBBL season. Hobart Hurricanes have not pre-signed an overseas player for the WBBL.
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Luke Wood takes England return in his stride after ‘weird' PSL experience
Nerves were never likely to be an issue on Luke Wood's England comeback, with the left-armer returning to the fold just a month after he was caught up in the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. Wood was playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League when political tensions between the two nations developed into military clashes over the disputed Kasmir region, forcing both the PSL and Indian Premier League to be suspended. Overseas players left the country as concerns grew, but the Lancashire seamer was among those who returned to finish the tournament after a short hiatus, playing two more games in Rawalpindi. With that experience in his recent past, the 29-year-old was unlikely to be fazed by his return to the international stage after 21 months. He made the perfect start in Sunday's series-clinching T20 win over the West Indies, pinning Evin Lewis lbw with his very first ball, and was later named player of the match after taking two for 25 in a contest dominated by the bat. 'It was a weird dynamic to be in. You don't know what to believe and we get told to wait for the facts from certain people,' he said of his interrupted stay at the PSL. 'When we left it was the right time to go, but credit to them for making it a safe place for people to come back to. 'I understand the lads with young families might not have wanted to go back for certain reasons, but, for me personally, once I was told it was fine I was happy to go back and credit to them for getting it on. 'As players we're there to play cricket. If it's not safe we go, if it is safe we play. It hasn't put me off at all, it's part and parcel of the world. Pakistan and India have disagreements over that piece of land. 'This time it extended a bit too far for what we would like, but it's nothing you can control. The security they have in Pakistan is amazing and they looked after us really well. That's all you can ask for.' Wood was described as a 'point of difference' by captain Harry Brook, with his left-arm angle and ability to bowl fast, swinging yorkers making him a potent threat with the new ball. He has a happy knack of striking with the opening delivery of the innings too, Lewis' dismissal following in the footsteps of Tim Seifert and Ben McDermott at the PSL. 'It's a method I've got, I pride myself on starting well,' he said. 'That is a big thing for me and it's big for the team, to set the tone well. That's what my main role is. Warm-up wise, before a game, I do everything I can to be really ready for that first ball. it's not a loosener, it's full on. 'A lot of my strength is up front, a lot of the stuff I bowl in my warm-up is focused around that first ball. 'But I don't want to be pigeon-holed as someone who just bowls at the start, I've always said that, and I'll work on what I need to work on to become just as well renowned at the death too.' The West Indies tour concludes with Tuesday's third T20 in Southampton, when England will be hoping to wrap up a second series sweep in a row under Brook's captaincy.
Washington Post
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
All-rounder Ashraf leads Quetta to Pakistan Super League final
LAHORE, Pakistan — Quetta Gladiators made it to its first Pakistan Super League final in six years when it beat defending champion Islamabad United by 30 runs in qualifier 1 on Wednesday. Pakistan's premier domestic T20 tournament was suspended for nine days due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Quetta's only PSL title came in 2019 when it beat Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets in the final.
France 24
21-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Pakistan drop stars Shaheen, Azam and Rizwan for Bangladesh T20s
Babar Azam, pictured playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, has been dropped along with Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge for the first time after being appointed last week, replacing Aaqib Javed. Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look towards next year's Twenty20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Shaheen had played in Pakistan's last T20 series in New Zealand in March, but batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticised for slow scoring. "The squad has been selected based on players' performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which concludes on May 25," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement. Shaheen has taken 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in 10 PSL matches at an economy rate of 8.20. Opener Sahibzada Farhan earned a recall after topping the PSL batting charts with 394 runs. Batsmen Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman return after missing the New Zealand tour with injuries. Fast bowler Hasan Ali is back after being sidelined with multiple injuries since May last year. The PCB said that the matches, which have been affected by a 10-day delay to the PSL caused by the deadly India-Pakistan conflict, will be held in Lahore on May 28, 30 and June 1. Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub © 2025 AFP
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Peshawar owner hints at 'major changes'
For the first time in HBL PSL, Peshawar Zalmi failed to qualify for the knockouts. Photo: PCB Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has expressed disappointment following the team's exit from the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, as the 2017 champions failed to qualify for the playoffs stage for the first time in the tournament's history. Afridi took to social media platform X to address the team's loyal supporters in a heartfelt message. Acknowledging the pain of defeat, he reaffirmed the franchise's commitment to growth, player development, and a stronger comeback in future seasons. "To our passionate Zalmi fans: This season's outcome hurts, but this platform remains a launchpad for national careers. "Major changes" are comingwe'll rebuild with grit and purpose. InshaAllah. Request to all Zalmi Fans, as a national product, let's unite to support all PSL teams in the spirit of cricket! Shehzad backs Babar Pakistan's opening batter Ahmed Shehzad has come out in support of Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam following their elimination from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10. Zalmi's campaign came to an end after a 26-run defeat to Lahore Qalandars in their final league-stage match on Sunday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Taking to social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), Shehzad defended Babar Azam and questioned why the burden of expectations always falls on a single player. "Yes, Babar Azam is out of form. Yes, his last 50 was slow. But why is all the pressure always on him? Cricket is a team game. What are the other 10 doing? He was taking risks today which was the right approach. Where are the rest of the batters when it matters the most? Accountability can't be selective," Shehzad wrote. It is pertinent to mention that the Babar-led Peshawar Zalmi's consistent run in the PSL playoffs came to an abrupt end with a 26-run defeat to Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi. The rain-hit game saw Zalmi chasing a target of 150 in 13 overs but managing only 123 for 8. The result ended one of the most consistent legacies in PSL history. Since the league's inception, Zalmi had never missed the knockout stageclinching the title in 2017 under Darren Sammy's leadership and reaching four finals overall. For the unversed, Zalmi concluded their 2025 PSL campaign with four wins and six defeats in ten matches, finishing with eight points and a negative net run-rate of -0.293. This marks the end of one of the most consistent runs in PSL history. Since the league's inception, Zalmi had never missed the knockout stage. They lifted the trophy in 2017 under Darren Sammy and reached the final four times in total. For the unversed, Zalmi concluded their 2025 PSL campaign with four wins and six losses from ten matches, finishing with eight points and a net run-rate of -0.293. Meanwhile, the playoff picture will become clearer after today's match between Karachi Kings and Islamabad United in Rawalpindi. Quetta Gladiators will face either Karachi Kings or Islamabad United in the first Qualifier on May 21 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The winner of that match will secure a direct spot in the final of PSL 10.
