Fakhar is an explosive opening batsman who can also bowl some part-time left-arm orthodox spin

Playing just his 4th ODI, Fakhar Zaman smashed the Indian bowlers to all parts of the park in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. It was his 114-run knock coming off just 106 deliveries that laid the foundation of Pakistan's victory in the final.

Fakhar is an explosive opening batsman who can also bowl some part-time left-arm orthodox spin. His ability to consistently clear the infield in the Powerplay overs helps him to score at a quick clip. The 27-year-old is also a part of other T20 franchises over the globe like Lahore Qalandars, Durban Qalandars and Comilla Victorians.

Shadab Khan has proved in the Big Bash League that he is not only economical but a wicket taker as well

Spinners, especially wrist spinners, have become the most sought-after commodity in T20 cricket. It is strange that a format which was vaunted as the death knell for the wrist spinners has proved to be their reviver. The proposition that Shadab Khan would have been a hot property in the IPL is evident from the fact that Rashid Khan, the Afghanistani leg-spinner, who is very similar to Shadab has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rs 9 crore through their RTM card.

Shadab has a deceptive googly and bowls with subtle variations in his speed. Indian cricket fans would remember him for the manner in which he dismissed Yuvraj Singh in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. The leggie has proved in the Big Bash League that he is not only economical but a wicket taker as well.

Jofra Archer one among the local Pakistani players

When the team line-ups were posted on Twitter, Archer’s nationality wasn’t mentioned. The nation wasn’t mentioned for all the Pakistani players as well. This indicates that Archer was considered to be one of the local players stirring up a major controversy. The officials possibly forgot to mention Archer’s nationality, who was included in the squad as the fourth overseas player.

Shane Watson(Australia), Kevin Pietersen(England) and Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) who were the other overseas players had their nation mentioned next to their names. The error was highlighted by Pakistani journalist Saj Sadiq, who wrote, “When you are unsure of Jofra Archer’s nationality so you just class him as Pakistani #PSL2018 #Cricket.” Archer has made it to the headlines recently with impressive performances in BBL and when he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Imran Tahir is excited to be working with Wasim Akram

The 38-year-old is the leader of the spin department in the Sultans camp. Tahir asserted that the atmosphere in the team was really good. He looks forward to playing with the big names in the team and under the captaincy of Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik. However, one personality he is exhilarated to work with is legend Wasim Akram “I’m working with Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) for the first time, so I’m very excited. All of this seems to look amazing. Hopefully, we can do something special!” Tahir was quoted

Shaan Shahid- Lahore Qalandars

Shaan Shahid is a Pakistani writer, actor, model and also a movie director. He has acted in over 500 films and has won several awards over the years. The veteran actor has been an eminent face of the Lahore Qalandars team and has attended the franchise’s previous games.

Shehzad Roy- Karachi Kings

Shehzad Roy is a popular Pakistani singer and has also been an ardent supporter of the Karachi Kings. He has also sung the theme song of the song ‘De Dhana Dhan’. “I support Karachi Kings because I’ve sung their anthem along with Shahid Afridi,” the singer mentioned earlier.

Ahsan Khan- Multan Sultans

Ahsan Khan is a British-Pakistani actor and host and has also acted in several television serials. The 36-year old will be promoting the brand of the Multan Sultans who are the new entrants in the prestigious T20 league. She was present along with Neelam Muneer during the team’s victorious start against the Zalmi.

Neelam Muneer- Multan Sultans

Neelam Muneer is a Pakistani actress who has featured on Hum TV, Geo TV and ARY Digital television drama serials. She is also the brand ambassador of the Shoaib Malik-captained franchise. The diva was also present during their opening game in Dubai against Peshawar Zalmi.

Sanjay Kapoor- Peshawar Zalmi

Sanjay Kapoor has been a prominent figure in the Indian film fraternity. He is currently in Dubai and is rooting for the Peshawar Zalmi. Sanjay, the brother of the veteran actor of Anil Kapoor, was invited by Javed Afridi, the owner of the Zalmi and was present during the opening game at Dubai.

Maya Ali- Quetta Gladiators

Maya Ali is a Pakistan actress and model who is also a supporter of the Quetta Gladiators team. She has also acted in several Pakistani television dramas and has also plied her trade as a Video Jockey (VJ). The ravishing personality is also the brand ambassador of the Sarfraz Ahmed-led franchise.

Mahira Khan- Peshawar Zalmi

Mahira Khan has been a popular face in the Pakistan film industry. The diva has also acted in Indian movies like Raees along with Shah Rukh Khan. She was also anointed as the brand ambassador of the franchise. The gorgeous actress also shared his excitement on Twitter prior to the tournament.

Fawad Khan- Islamabad United

Fawad Khan is a supporter of the Islamabad United team and was also the brand ambassador of the team. However, Momina Mustehsan, the popular singer, was crowned the team’s ambassador for the season. Nevertheless, Fawad attended the opening ceremony in Dubai and cheered for his team.

How Sangakkara defied age to emerge match winner

Kumar Sangakkara, through a spectacular match winning performance showed that he is as good as he was during his playing days in international cricket.Though it is close to three years since he retired from international cricket, the 40-year-old left-handed batsman, with brilliant strokes and even reflexes stunned everyone and emerged as the match winners for debutants Multan Sultans.Sangakkara cracked 57 runs off 51 balls with two sixes and three boundaries to bag the man of the match award. When asked about the ease with which he played the pace and spin, he said: “I have changed my stance and my initial movement in order to give myself that extra time.”It is not just the agility to be at the right position to play the strokes, be it the pull, hook and drive that surprised everyone but his reflexes in keeping the wickets too. He looked as fit as any current international wicketkeeper.

Kumar Sangakkara anchored the innings beautifully with a half-century

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Sultans got rid of Zalmi openers Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal in just the 3rd over of the innings. A well constructed half century from Mohammed Hafeez steered Zalmi to 151 for 6 in the given 20 overs. West Indians Dwayne Smith and Darren Sammy contributed with twenties each. Irfan emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Sultans, bagging a couple for 19 in 4 overs. In response, the Sultans lost Ahmed Shehzad early but Kumar Sangakkara got them off to a match winning start. Sangakkara made 57 in 51 deliveries with 3 fours and 2 sixes under his name. 

Malik, Sangakkara star as Multan win PSL 3 opener

Malik, Multan Sultans captain: I try to take the match deep. If you are under pressure, so is the opposition. You get an idea of the wicket, then you can start accelerating. Irfan is a bowler whose height can give him an advantage on any pitch. Peshawar batsmen batted well. 150 wasn't easy to chase. But we all know Sangakkara is a wonderful player. He was crucial today.

Sangakkara fashion Multan win on PSL debut

Kumar Sangakkara, MoM: I think there was a bit in the wicket initially. I have changed my stance and my initial movement in order to give myself that extra time. I am not the greatest of fielders, hence it's nice to be behind the stumps. I think Shoaib (Malik) was just outstanding today and he did the job for us. You need a good mixture of young talent and experience and we've got that. Hopefully we'll get better as the tournament progresses. Moody and I have a close relationship since 2005 when he took over SL. It's big for the owners, franchise and players to win our first game. Lot of luck needed in T20. We'll take one game at a time. T20 is a format where you express yourself. Still enjoying it. It's a great format to play in.

Hafeez's gutsy fifty was in vain

Seasoned campaigners Shoaib Malik and Kumar Sangakkara guided newcomers Multan Sultans to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the Pakistan Super League 2018 opener over Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on Thursday (February 22). Chasing a tricky 152 for victory, Sangakkara and Malik had to rebuild after Ahmed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood fell in the first half of the run chase.While Shehzad was dismissed for a duck when he top-edged one to be caught at fine leg, Maqsood was caught at long on for a 16-ball 21, in which he took on Hammad Azam for a couple of fours and a six in one over. At the halfway stage, Sultans were 68 for 2, needing another 84 from the remaining ten overs. Sangakkara and Malik bided their time and focussed on rotating the strike before taking on Ibtisam Sheikh. While Malik launched one over the sightscreen, Sangakkara hit one past the bowler for a four that took him to 49.

Brief scores: Peshawar Zalmi 151/6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 59, Darren Sammy 29; Mohammad Irfan 2-19, Hardus Viljoen 1-24) lost to Multan Sultans 152/3 in 19.1 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 57, Shoaib Malik 42*; Wahab Riaz 2-19, Mohammad Asghar 1-18) by 7 wickets.

Welcome dengures seneir players

Best of luck ingram

Islamabad United will going to miss you Dwayne