KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi will lock horns with Quetta Gladiators in an action-packed game of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the National Stadium today. With the league nearing its climax, both sides are desperate for points to make the cut into the playoffs.
Currently holding the top spot in the points table with 11 points after 6 games, Peshawar Zalmi are yet to lose a match. They boast a win rate of 83% having triumphed in 5 games. Their solitary point has come courtesy of a match rained off against Islamabad United. U
Under the leadership of their captain and former Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi have been sensational with Babar Azam being the star player. He has been ably assisted by Kushel Mendis, who has contributed his fair share with some magnificent innings including a record partnership with Babar Azam against Karachi Kings.
“We are in fine form and we want to continue winning matches,” Azam said before their game. “However, we realize that it will be difficult against Quetta.”
On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators have had an up-and-down season, occupying the fifth position in the points table with just 4 points after playing 5 games, having 2 wins against 3 defeats. However, despite their inconsistency in the competition, the Gladiators would be determined to turn things around under the guidance of experienced players such as Hassan Nawaz and Riley Rossouw, who occasionally deliver exceptional performances. The spin attack led by Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq in the team may trouble the batting order of the opposition.
“We are not in the best situation, but there is still a long way to go in this tournament. We can surely turn things around and give the leading teams a shock,” asserted the captain of Quetta Gladiators before the match.
PCB bans Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani for two years from PSL participation
Meanwhile, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwe’s cricket player Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years. This ban came after it was noted that Muzarabani had breached the contract signed between himself and the PSL and joined the Indian Premier League (IPL).
According to the PCB, Blessing Muzarabani joined IPL while he still had an active contract with the PSL. The PCB stated that professional cricket involves trust and agreements being kept. He needed to act professionally in the PSL environment as well as during other competitions like the IPL.
“The Professional game requires trust and assurance through contractual agreements,” a spokesman for the PCB said. “Players participating in franchise tournaments have to do so with professionalism and transparency.”
The PCB went ahead to state that it is important to ban players who do not meet the required professionalism. Such players and their agents must understand that there is a need to maintain the standards of the tournaments.
“This step is taken to maintain the standards of the PSL environment and its tournaments,” the spokesman added.
