KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen batter Usman Khan has made history in the Pakistan Super League by becoming the player with the most centuries in the tournament’s history.
The milestone came during a PSL 11 match against Multan Sultans, where Usman Khan played a heroic innings of 101 runs off just 47 balls while chasing a target of 214 runs.
This century marks his fourth in the PSL, taking him to the top of the all-time list for most hundreds in the league.
Usman Khan has featured in 33 PSL matches, having previously scored one century in 2023 and two in 2024 before achieving this latest feat.
Powered by his match-winning knock, Hyderabad Kingsmen successfully chased down the 214-run target with three balls to spare, securing a memorable victory.
KARACHI: Steve Smith has described his time with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League as a “great experience,” saying he is thoroughly enjoying his stint in the tournament.
Speaking after Multan Sultans’ six-wicket victory over Rawalpindi in PSL 11, Smith said the past month with the franchise has been excellent and the team has played impressive cricket.
In the match, Rawalpindi posted 166 for 4 in their 20 overs. In reply, Multan Sultans comfortably chased down the target in 18.4 overs for the loss of four wickets, thanks to Smith’s half-century.
Addressing a post-match press conference, Smith highlighted his role as an opener, stating that the position suits his style of play as it allows him more opportunities during the powerplay.
He also praised the PSL as a highly competitive and quality league, noting that every team features strong players, making the competition intense.
Commenting on young players in the Multan Sultans squad, Smith said in a light-hearted manner, “I am learning from the youngsters; they are teaching me everything,” while adding that he is always available to offer guidance if needed.
Smith further said that the team’s goal is to perform strongly in the remaining matches and secure a place in the top two of the points table.
He also appreciated the hospitality in Pakistan and the team environment at Multan Sultans, though he noted that larger crowd turnout would enhance the overall atmosphere.
English all-rounder Moeen Ali has explained his decision to prioritise the Pakistan Super League over the Indian Premier League, saying limited opportunities in the previous season influenced his choice.
In an interview, the England all-rounder said that during his last stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, he only played half the matches and received very few chances to bat. “At this stage, I want to play more cricket and maintain my form,” he said.
Moeen Ali added that at the age of 38, he is still motivated to perform and extend his career by staying active on the field. He said regular game time is crucial for his rhythm and consistency.
Now representing Karachi Kings, Moeen said joining Karachi was a major turning point in his decision-making. He also noted that the shorter format and schedule of the PSL suits both him and his family better.
The English all-rounder further revealed that he had always wanted to play in the PSL, but scheduling conflicts between major leagues often force foreign players to choose one tournament. This time, he said, he deliberately opted for the PSL to ensure more playing opportunities and better continuity.
KARACHI: Salman Ali Agha, captain of Karachi Kings and Pakistan’s T20 side, has said that performances in the Pakistan Super League alone should not be the sole basis for immediate selection into international cricket.
Speaking after Karachi Kings’ eight-wicket loss to Islamabad United in PSL 11, Agha admitted that his team failed to deliver across all departments.
“We did not play good cricket today. We will try to perform better in upcoming matches and make a comeback,” he said during the post-match press conference.
Reflecting on his own form, Agha said he has been getting starts but has struggled to convert them into big scores. “Once a player gets set, he should go on to make a big total.
When the top order performs, it benefits the team. Today’s pitch was around a 170-run surface, but we couldn’t reach that mark,” he added.
Karachi Kings had posted 150 for 6 in their 20 overs, but Islamabad United chased down the 151-run target comfortably in 16 overs, losing just two wickets.
The skipper also expressed concern over his recent performances, noting that both his World Cup outing and current PSL season have not gone as expected. He hinted that he may consider taking a break from T20 cricket closer to the 2027 ODI World Cup if required.
Agha further emphasized the need for player development, stating that PSL performances are important for recognition but players should continue to refine their skills in domestic cricket before being fast-tracked to the international level.
He concluded by acknowledging the role of fans in enhancing the appeal of any tournament, adding that improved performances are essential to regain stronger public support.
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for withdrawing from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
According to the PCB, Muzarabani violated his contractual agreement after signing with the PSL but later opted to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The board emphasized that professional cricket is built on trust and the sanctity of contracts. It added that franchise leagues require players and agents to maintain transparency, consistency, and professional conduct.
The PCB further stated that the ban is a necessary step to protect the integrity and professional standards of the PSL, underscoring the importance of honoring agreements and upholding the reputation of the tournament.
LAHORE: Walee Tech has acquired the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan for Rs2.45 billion, making it the most expensive franchise in the league’s history, and announced that the team will now be renamed Rawalpindi.
The auction ceremony for the Multan Sultans franchise was held in Lahore, where five bidders participated. The base price for the franchise was set at Rs1.82 billion.
After a competitive bidding process, Walee Tech secured ownership rights for a period of 10 years at a record price of Rs2.45 billion.
Following the completion of the auction, Wilee Tech’s management formally announced the change of the team’s name from Multan to Rawalpindi.
Addressing a press conference, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Walee Tech on the successful acquisition and thanked former PCB chairman Najam Sethi for establishing the Multan Sultan franchise. He also appreciated all bidders for their participation in the transparent auction process.
Mohsin Naqvi said the sale was the result of months of hard work and strategic planning aimed at maximizing the franchise’s value.
He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed happiness over the successful outcome, adding that some critics had earlier claimed the team would not even reach a valuation of Rs1 billion.
“The increase in the franchise value reflects the vision behind the PSL,” Naqvi said, adding that the league aims to grow beyond Pakistan and establish itself as a major global cricket event with top international players.
However, the PCB chairman also expressed personal sadness over the name change, stating that Multan Sultans had become a strong and historic brand over the years.
He acknowledged the efforts of PSL CEO Salman Naseer in building the franchise and said the matter of branding would be considered carefully in the future.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has created fresh history after witnessing a landmark surge in the value of its international media rights, recording a massive 149 percent increase compared to last year.
A Pakistani company has acquired the international media rights for the HBL Pakistan Super League at a record-breaking price, setting a new benchmark for the league’s commercial growth.
The winning bid surpassed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) reserve price, underlining the tournament’s rising global appeal.
The sharp increase in valuation highlights the PSL’s expanding popularity and strengthening brand value on the international stage.
PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league is steadily cementing its position among the world’s leading T20 competitions.
He added that the significant jump in international media rights reflects strong global confidence in the HBL PSL, driven by competitive, high-quality cricket that continues to attract fans worldwide.
Salman Naseer further noted that the new agreement boosts confidence in the league’s long-term business growth and positions the PSL for even greater international recognition in the years ahead.
KARACHI: In the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi has decided to retain captain Babar Azam for the upcoming season, sources confirmed.
According to insiders, the franchise has chosen to release Saim Ayub, who, along with Babar Azam, was listed in Peshawar Zalmi’s Platinum category. PSL rules allow franchises to retain only one player per category, making this a strategic decision.
Sources added that Saim Ayub will now be available for selection by other franchises in the PSL players’ draft.
Franchises are expected to finalize their retention decisions today, determining which players will remain with their teams for PSL 11.
Ahead of the 11th season of the PSL 11, franchises have announced their player retentions as the league introduces a major change in the player selection process.
For the first time in PSL history, the traditional draft system has been replaced with an auction-based model. Under this system, franchises can now retain only one player per category instead of eight, while remaining players will be added to their squads through the auction.
Retentions by Franchises:
Lahore Qalandars – The defending champions have retained captain Shaheen Afridi in the Platinum category. They released Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman from Platinum. In other categories, Abdullah Shafiq (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver) were retained, while several players including Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Ikhlaq, and Mohammad Azab were released.
Karachi Kings – The franchise retained fast bowler Hasan Ali in Platinum, Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).
Islamabad United – Shadab Khan remains in Platinum, Salman Irshad in Gold, and Andres Goos in Silver. The team released players including Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Roman Rais, Mohammad Faiq, and Haneen Shah across various categories.
Quetta Gladiators – The franchise retained Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Hussain (Emerging). Players released include Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Khurram Shehzad, Hasibullah Khan, Khawaja Nafees, Danish Aziz, and Mohammad Zeeshan.
The retentions mark the first step in the PSL 11 preparations, with the new auction-based player draft set to determine final team squads for the season.
ISLAMABAD: Kamal Khan, owner of the new Pakistan Super League (PSL) team from Sialkot, has officially announced the team’s name as “Sialkot Stallions.” He shared the announcement along with a video on social media platform X.
The addition of Sialkot Stallions is expected to bring more excitement and diversity to the PSL, with cricket fans eagerly looking forward to seeing the new team in action.
