KARACHI: Islamabad United, winners of the inaugural 2016 Pakistan Super League, regained the trophy with a comprehensive victory over defending champions Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium on March 25.
The final of the Twenty20 tournament was the first high-profile match featuring leading international cricketers played in the city for nine years, and the stadium was packed for the occasion.
Luke Ronchi, who opened the innings for Islamabad with Sahibzada Farhan, punished the Peshawar bowlers with hard-hitting sixes and fours, scoring 52 off 26 balls. He was caught by Fletcher on Chris Jordan’s delivery, but only after helping his team to reach 96 runs in 8.4 overs, putting the match beyond Zalmi.
Ronchi was declared Man of the Match, and also collected Player of the Tournament award. Kumar Sangakkara of the Multan Sultans won the award for most catches this season, while Faheem Ashraf’s 18 wickets for Islamabad earned him the Best Bowler title.
Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy said he was disappointed his team had struggled to score runs.
“With the ball, we took a while to respond,” he said. “Ronchi made the difference. I said to the guys after the match: ‘Keep working with your heads held high.’”
Peshawar won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the decision backfired as the side struggled to a very difficult start and failed to set a big target. The reached only 149, a run total that was not easy to defend on a good batting track against a team with ruthless hitters, led by Ronchi.
Zalmi’s renowned opener, Kamran Akmal, who played an exceptional knock in the second eliminator against Karachi Kings, faced nine deliveries in the final but could not hit a single boundary. Islamabad’s left-arm spinner, Samit Patel, made an early breakthrough by taking Akmal’s wicket after the Peshawar batsman had managed to score only a single run.
Mohammad Hafeez also failed to impress, and was caught by Patel on his own delivery in the fifth over of the match, having scored only eight runs off six balls.
Andre Fletcher, who opened the inning with Akmal and scored 21 runs at a strike rate of 140, was the third victim of the Islamabad bowlers, losing his wicket to Shadab Khan.
Chris Jordan and Liam Dawson boosted Peshawar’s total to 90 before Hussain Talat dismantled the partnership when Jordan, the highest scorer of the inning with 36 runs, was caught by Islamabad skipper JP Duminy. Saad Nasim was the fifth batsman to fall, after scoring only two runs off three balls.
Skipper Sammy, who had entertained fans throughout the tournament with his big hitting, could not get into a groove either, adding only 6 runs.
Umaid Asif was the seventh out, followed by Dawson, the second-highest run scorer of the inning, who was bowled out for 33 runs by Mohammed Sami. Hasan Ali could add only six runs.
Wahab Riaz, however, gave his side a glimmer of hope by scoring 28 runs off 14 balls, taking Zalmi’s total to 148 for 9 in 20 overs. It kept the final alive as a contest, though the disappointing score proved too low to defend.
Islamabad, in contrast, got off to a flawless start thanks to Ronchi. After his dismissal, Chadwick Walton came out but was bowled out by Umaid Asif. Skipper JP Duminy did not remain on the pitch for long, caught and bowled by Chris Jordan after adding just two runs.
Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 44 off 33 balls at a strike rate of 133.33, was the fourth wicket to fall and after his return to the pavilion, Islamabad started losing wickets in quick succession.
However, just as it seemed the match was headed for a nail-biting conclusion, Asif Ali steadied the ship and brought his team to the brink of victory with three sixes. He remained not out and played a great knock at the incredible strike rate of 433.33, scoring 26 runs off only six balls.
However, it was Faheem Ashraf who hit the winning strike, a six off Wahab Riaz’s delivery, assuring his side a second PSL title in the three-year-history of the event with a total of 154 for seven in 16.5 overs.
Hasan Ali remained a costly bowler for Peshawar, conceding 53 runs in four overs and taking two wickets. Wahab Riaz conceded 28 in four overs, while Chris Jordan took two wickets in three overs and conceded 22 runs.
Before the sporting action began, leading Pakistani musical acts — including Ali Zafar, Strings, Shehzad Roy, Farhan Saeed and Aima Baig — entertained the spectators, who went through strict security checks as they entered the ground.
The gates of the stadium opened at noon but spectators continued to arrive until 7pm. During the prize-giving ceremony, Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, thanked law enforcement agencies and the federal and provincial governments for making the final in Karachi possible. He also congratulated the people of the city on the return of top-level international cricket after nine years.
Earlier, hundreds of buses transported spectators to the stadium from five designated parking areas nearby.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and several members of his cabinet watched the match as guests of honor. Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, who earlier inspected the security operation a helicopter, was also in the crowd, along with members of his provincial administration.
At the end of the match, the Pakistan Army tweeted a message from Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa: “Congrats to Islamabad United ‘the Champions’. Pakistan won today! Best of the day was excited yet very disciplined spectators of Karachi. Nothing can defeat our national passion.”
Islamabad United regain PSL trophy with comfortable win over Peshawar Zalmi
Islamabad United regain PSL trophy with comfortable win over Peshawar Zalmi
India’s Pant boosts World Cup hopes with IPL batting blitz
- Delhi posted 224-4 courtesy of a 113-run stand between Pant and fellow left-hander Axar Patel, who hit 66
- Hosts kept Gujarat down to 220-8 to win by four runs after David Miller’s 23-ball 55 and an unbeaten 21 off 11 deliveries by Rashid Khan
Delhi posted 224-4 courtesy of a 113-run stand between Pant and fellow left-hander Axar Patel, who hit 66, after they slipped to 44-3 inside six overs at their home Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The hosts kept Gujarat down to 220-8 to win by four runs after David Miller’s 23-ball 55 and an unbeaten 21 off 11 deliveries by Rashid Khan.
Mukesh Kumar kept his nerve in the final over for Delhi’s fourth win in nine matches as they kept their playoff hopes alive in the T20 tournament.
Pant, 26, struck his third half-century of this season after 14 months away from top level cricket following a frightening car accident when his Mercedes rammed into a barrier, flipped and caught fire in December 2022.
Pant, a wicketkeeper-batsman, suffered multiple injuries and was rushed to hospital before being airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment and surgery.
“Everyday that I’m in the middle, I feel better,” man of the match Pant said after his 43-ball blitz studded with five fours and eight sixes.
“Every hour on the field matters, I love being on the field. I try to give it my 100 percent. I think the first six in the match gives me the confidence in a game.”
Pant has not only fired with the bat in the IPL but his sharp work behind the stumps prompted Delhi’s director of cricket Sourav Ganguly and coach Ricky Ponting to back the India star for making the national team for the World Cup in June.
Up and coming Australian batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk gave Delhi a strong start with his 14-ball 23 but medium-pace bowler Sandeep Warrier took three wickets including two in one over.
Patel, a bowling all-rounder promoted to number three in the batting, brought up his fifty with a boundary off Rashid before another Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad had him caught at long-on.
Pant reached his fifty in style with a six off Mohit Sharma and then hammered the medium-pace bowler in a 31-run 20th over when he finished with a six, four and three hits over the fence to raise the roof.
South African Tristan Stubbs watched the blitz from the other end after he smashed Sai Kishore in the 19th over, which went for 22 runs, for his unbeaten seven-ball 26.
In reply, Gujarat lost skipper Shubman Gill for six off Anrich Nortje before impact substitute Sai Sudarshan smashed 65 off 39 balls.
Gujarat lost regular wickets but the left-handed Miller smashed Nortje for three sixes and a four to give Delhi a scare before his departure in the 18th over.
Rashid kept up the fight till the end as Gujarat needed 19 off the final over and five on the last ball.
“I think we played some really good cricket, disappointing to lose in the end, but great character shown by everyone,” said Gill. “Great fight till the end and we never thought we were out of the game at any point.”
Nadal will only play French Open if he can ‘compete well’
- The 14-time Roland Garros champion conceded that if the action in Paris were to kick off today, he would not be able to participate
- “I will keep fighting and doing the things I believe I have to do so I can try to play in Paris,” Nadal said
MADRID: Rafael Nadal said on Wednesday he will only play at the upcoming French Open if he feels “capable enough to compete well.”
The 14-time Roland Garros champion conceded that if the action in Paris were to kick off today, he would not be able to participate but vowed to keep fighting for the chance to play at his most successful tournament one last time.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next three weeks. I will keep fighting and doing the things I believe I have to do so I can try to play in Paris, and if I can play, I play, if I can’t, I can’t,” the former world number one told reporters at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
“I will not play in Paris if I am the way I am now. If Paris were today, I wouldn’t take to the court. That’s the reality. I will only play in Paris if I feel capable enough to compete well.”
Nadal returned to tennis in Brisbane in January after spending almost an entire year on the sidelines nursing a psoas injury. But his comeback was short-lived as he sustained a muscle problem in Australia and has competed in just five matches so far this season.
The Spaniard kicked off his clay campaign in Barcelona last week, where he lost in the second round and is set to face 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch in his Madrid opener on Thursday.
“I don’t think I’m ready to play at my 100 percent but I’m prepared to go out and play tomorrow. It’s important for me to play one last time here in Madrid, for me it means a lot,” said the 37-year-old Nadal.
As he attempts to resume his ‘Last Dance’ in Madrid and say goodbye to one of his favorite tournaments on court, rather than on the sidelines, the 22-time major champion admits his farewell tour hasn’t been as enjoyable as he would have hoped.
“A few weeks ago, I didn’t know if I will be able to play again on the professional tour, so today I am playing,” he added.
“It’s not perfect, of course not perfect, but at least I am playing and I can enjoy again, especially in the few tournaments that are so emotional for me. I’m able to enjoy the fact that I can say probably good-bye on court.”
Nadal says he’s hitting the ball well when he is able to be on court but “it’s about more body limitations. I went through a lot of things last year and a half, two years.”
“So body feelings are not enough good to feel myself playing with freedom enough in terms of body issues. That’s not allowing me to compete the way that I would like to compete.”
Haaland ruled out of Man City’s crucial trip to Brighton
- Haaland missed City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley
- City boss Pep Guardiola insisted Haaland’s injury was not serious
LONDON: Manchester City’s Premier League title bid has suffered a blow after Norway striker Erling Haaland was ruled out of Thursday’s crucial clash at Brighton.
Haaland missed City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley on Saturday due to a muscle injury sustained in the Champions League quarter-final exit against Real Madrid last week.
City’s leading scorer, who has 20 Premier League goals this season, is yet to recover and will not make the trip to the Amex Stadium as the champions look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.
City boss Pep Guardiola insisted Haaland’s injury was not serious, and he could come back into contention in time for Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.
While Haaland is sidelined, Guardiola was boosted by England internationals Phil Foden and John Stones getting the green light to face Brighton after their own fitness concerns.
“Erling is not ready for tomorrow, the other two, they are ready,” Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday.
“I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game.”
As a gripping title race approaches the final furlong, third placed City are four points behind leaders Arsenal, who thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday.
Guardiola’s men have two games in hand on Arsenal and have played one match less than second placed Liverpool, who face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia to face Uzbekistan in AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals
- The tournament ends on May 3 and is also a qualifying route to the 2024 Olympic Games
DOHA: Reigning champions Saudi Arabia will play Uzbekistan on Friday in the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals after the group stages concluded on Tuesday.
Uzbekistan beat Vietnam 3-0 at Khalifa International Stadium to secure the top spot in Group D. Both teams had already secured their progress to the next round. Meanwhile, Kuwait beat Malaysia 3-1 at Al-Janoub Stadium to take third place in the group.
Qatar take on Japan on Thursday, with the victors meeting either Iraq or Vietnam, who play on Friday, in the semifinals. Saudi or Uzbekistan will face the winner of Wednesday’s match between South Korea and Indonesia.
The tournament, which will end on May 3, is a route to this year’s Olympic Games which will take place in Paris this summer. The sixteen teams are split into four groups of four, with the top two from each progressing to the quarterfinals.
The winners of both semifinals secure automatic qualification, while the two losing semifinalists contest third place with the victors booking their spot in Paris. The fourth-place finishers have one final chance to qualify for the Games through a play-off against an African qualifier.
Matthews’ second century powers West Indies Women to convincing 88-run victory over Pakistan
- The victory in the third ODI helps West Indies sweep the ICC Women’s Championship fixer by 3-0
- The two teams are now scheduled to play five Twenty20 cricket matches in Karachi from Friday
ISLAMABAD: West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews scored her second century of the series to help her team convincingly beat Pakistan Women by 88 runs in the third One-Day International (ODI) in Karachi and sweep the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s Championship 2022-25 fixture by 3-0.
Matthews, who scored 140 not out in the series opener five days ago, made an excellent 141 to steer her side to 278 for six in 50 overs. Pakistan Women, in their run-chase, faltered to 190 all-out in 47.5 overs.
Matthews faced 149 balls and struck 19 fours in her career-best innings in 83 matches. She put on 93 runs in 110 balls for the second wicket with Shemaine Campbelle and 111 runs for the third wicket in 124 balls with Stafanie Taylor. She was the fifth batter to be dismissed at the score of 250 in the 46th over.
“West Indies win the third and final ODI of the series by 88 runs,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a social media post.
Campbelle contributed a 58-ball 38 with two fours, while Taylor followed up on her 73 in the previous match with a 62-ball 47 including four fours. Later in the order, Aaliyah Alleyne struck three fours in a 12-ball 20 not out to put West Indies Women in a position of strength.
For Pakistan Women, Nashra Sandhu was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 54 runs, while Fatima Sana snapped up two wickets for 67 runs.
In their run-chase, Pakistan Women were formally out of contention after losing half their side for 95 runs in 27.2 overs. Aaliya Riaz (36) and Fatima Sana (23) delayed the inevitable by adding 41 runs in 63 balls for the sixth wicket, before the home side were sent packing for 190 with 13 deliveries of their quota remaining.
Muneeba Ali top-scored with 38, while Bismah Maroof contributed 19 as the two batters added 45 runs for the third wicket.
For the West Indies Women, Aaliyah Alleyne grabbed two wickets for 10 runs, Hayley Matthews picked up two wickets for 26 runs, and Stafanie Taylor bagged two wickets for 29 runs.
After seven rounds of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, Pakistan have remained in fifth position on 16 points with eight wins and 13 losses. In contrast, the West Indies have moved ahead of Bangladesh and joined Sri Lanka in seventh position on 14 points (six wins, seven losses) after five rounds.
The top five teams in the 10-team ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, along with hosts India, will directly qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The bottom four teams of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 and the top two teams from the ICC ODI rankings will progress to a Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament.
The two sides will now go toe to toe in the five-T20I series, which will be played at the National Bank Stadium on 26 April, 28 April, 30 April, 2 May, and 3 May. The matches will commence at 7.30 pm.
