Day: February 13, 2022

Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan surpassed Muhammad Nawaz to become the highest wicket-taking spinner in the PSL history. Star spinner has taken 63 wickets in total, including 17 wickets in only 6 matches of the ongoing PSL 7.

Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan is currently the highest wicket-taker of PSL 7. Moreover, the star leg-spinner added another feather to his cap in the match against Quetta Gladiators, becoming the most successful spinner in the history of the Pakistan Super League.

Shadab Khan has featured in 58 matches of 6 PSL seasons, making his debut for Islamabad United in 2017 as an emerging player. In 58 matches, Shadab Khan has bagged 63 wickets which is the most by any spinner in the league. The in-form spinner took over Muhammad Nawaz’s 61 wickets as he bowled James Vince, his wicket number 62.

Shadab Khan is having a dream run in the PSL 7. In the first round of the tournament, he took 14 wickets including his first five-wicket haul. This earned him the Fazal Mehmood cap which Shadab has retained so far and also helped him claim 200 T20 wickets.

Shadab Khan now has the most wickets by any spinner in a single edition of the PSL. Shadab Khan with 17 wickets in the ongoing PSL 7 has overtaken Umer Khan who had 15 dismissals in PSL 4.

With the second round of the tournament just starting, Islamabad United’s captain has the potential to break more records. He is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the history of PSL following Wahab Riaz’s 98 wickets and Hasan Ali’s 78 wickets. Currently, Hassan Ali has the record for most wickets in a single edition of the Pakistan Super League, but seeing Shadab Khan’s tremendous form, the bar does not seem too high for the star spinner.

Under Shadab Khan’s leadership, Islamabad United is ranked at the third spot on the PSL points table, winning 3 out of 6 matches they played.

Source: Pro Pakistani

With the second round of PSL 7 going on in Lahore, the tickets are being sold illegally outside the Gaddafi Stadium. Taking action on the illegal activity, Police has arrested kids selling tickets in black.

As Pakistan Super League is the most hyped event in the country, the tickets get sold out in no time. Fans, eager to watch their favorite stars play in front of their eyes, even buy the tickets for higher prices through illegal means. The same happened at Gaddafi Stadium during the Lahore leg of PSL 7 matches when kids were seen selling black tickets. The police on getting constant complaints regarding the illegal activity took action and arrested the kids.

A video surfaced where the policemen can be seen dragging and forcefully putting a kid in their car, while the other ran away.

The second round of PSL 7 including the playoffs and the final are scheduled at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Lahore leg of PSL 7 will feature 19 matches in total.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Shahid Afridi has waved goodbye to PSL 7 after a memorable comeback last night against Islamabad United. The star all-rounder has declared his back injury as the reason behind leaving the tournament halfway through.

Playing his last season of Pakistan Super League, the veteran all-rounder has withdrawn from the remaining matches of PSL 7 due to deteriorating health. Addressing his fans in a farewell statement, Shahid Afridi said, “I want to thank my fans for supporting me throughout my career and being my strength. They are as important for me as my family.”

Explaining the sudden decision of quitting PSL, Afridi said, “I was trying to end PSL on a positive note because my lower back injury is very old. It has been 15 to 16 years that I have been playing despite the injury. But the injury has now worsened so much that even to my groin, knee, and all the way to the fingers of my feet, I feel severe pain. I am continuously bearing that pain but health is all that matters.”

Giving plans for his recovery and comeback, Shahid Afridi added, “After PSL, there is a gap of 2 to 3 months then KPL will begin, so I was trying to end PSL in a good way but now I cannot bear the pain anymore. I also thank all my fans because I wanted to play this PSL for fans. I will hopefully rehab because there is further cricket in KPL and T10 League. It will take a couple of months for me to recover and I will play cricket in front of my fans in KPL and T10 League.”

Talking about his journey in the PSL 7 so far, Shahid Afridi said, “I would especially like to thank Nadeem Omar [Quetta Gladiators’ owner] who tremendously supported me in every aspect and I am also sorry because I am not able to play the entire PSL.”

Talking about his ultimate goal after cricket, Shahid Afridi said:

“The foundation [SAF Foundation] which is my second innings is most important for me, for the people of my country because of the mission I am working with, so remember me in your prayers that I recover soon and I will hopefully play again for my fans in any other league.”

Shahid Afridi had taken two crucial wickets in his last match, turning the contest against Islamabad United towards Quetta Gladiators. However, he suffered back pain while celebrating in his signature style. His wickets helped Quetta Gladiators clinch the victory gaining important points to rank fourth on the PSL 7 points table.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Former Test cricketer, Younis Khan has expressed his disappointment regarding the squad announced for the historic Test series against Australia. Younis Khan deems that selection is based on T20 performances which seems to make zero sense.

Younis Khan, giving his take on the Test squad announced by PCB to face Australia in the home series, raised various questions. Talking about the selection of young players while senior bowlers like Yasir Shah and Muhammad Abbas are in the reserved category, Younis Khan said, “Yes, we have to move forward, but we are going to play Test cricket.”

Feeling the absence of experienced bowlers, Younis Khan said, “Muhammad Abbas and Yasir Shah are senior players, you can not keep them in the reserve category. If there are fitness issues with Yasir Shah then it might be justified, otherwise, there is no sense keeping him in the reserve players.”

Keeping in view the performances in domestic four-day tournament, Younis Khan questioned the selection of Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Imam-ul-Haq. Similarly, the former batsman asked if the in-form T20 batter, Shan Masood has been added to the Test squad based on his performance in PSL. Younis Khan also questioned Abdullah Shafique’s selection based on T20 performances.

Younis Khan also demanded an explanation regarding Abid Ali’s health as the batsman had suffered a heart attack during the domestic season. Younis Khan said, “There should be a proper press release regarding his recovery, and a specific time period must be set for his rest rather than having him out of the cricket without any plan.”

Demanding a change in the trend of the selection system, Younis Khan said, “If we don’t set the trend now when Imran Khan and Ramiz Raja and many other such names are in power, then when will these issues be addressed?”

Australia are set to tour Pakistan in March 2022 with their full-strength squad. It is the first time in the 21st century that Australia will visit the country since the two teams last met in 1998.

Source: Pro Pakistani