Summary Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure the best possible arrangements for the final
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Hyderabad Kingsmen and Peshawar Zalmi are set to lock horn in the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League 11 on Sunday (today) at the Gaddafi Stadium, as the 44-match season of the league marks its completion.
Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to field first.
TEAMS’ COMPARISON
Hyderabad Kingsmen will be looking to conclude their fairytale season with the HBL PSL title, while Peshawar Zalmi are eyeing their second title after 2017. Zalmi were the runners-up for 2018, 2019 and 2021 seasons.
On the back of Babar Azam’s record 588-run tally, Kusal Mendis’ 541 runs and Sufyan Moqim’s 21 wickets, Peshawar Zalmi won eight of their 10 matches in the league stage including a seven-match winning streak.
They outclassed Islamabad United by 70 runs in the Qualifier on 28 April to secure the ticket for the final. Express fast bowler Nahid Rana has also rejoined the Peshawar Zalmi squad and will be available for selection. He picked up seven wickets in four league matches for Zalmi.
Hyderabad Kingsmen began their campaign with three outright losses by 69 runs against Qalandars, by 40 runs versus Gladiators and by six wickets against Sultans. Their fourth consecutive loss came against Peshawar Zalmi as the two teams played out a last-ball thriller. Zalmi chased the 146-run target with four wickets in hand.
Kingsmen then won four matches on the trot before falling flat against Islamabad United. They thumped Rawalpindiz by 108 runs in their last league game to oust defending champions Lahore Qalandars on net run rate. Kingsmen knocked out Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and came from behind to stun Islamabad United by two runs in the Eliminator 2.
PRE-FINAL CAPTAINS’ PRESS CONFERENCE
Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi captain: “We have played really good cricket in the tournament. Our focus has been on assessing the conditions first and then executing the plans. The performance of our team this season has been a combined effort of the local and overseas players. We hope to win the trophy by giving our best. It will also be great to play in front of a jam-packed stadium tomorrow.”
Marnus Labuschagne, Hyderabad Kingsmen captain: “Leading Hyderabad Kingsmen has been really exciting and I’ve enjoyed every moment. There have been certainly ups and downs but I think that’s what makes it so good. Tomorrow is just another game and we will make sure that we stick to our processes.”
SQUADS
HYDERABAD KINGSMEN: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Hassan Khan (vc), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif, Maheesh Theekshana and Ahmed Hussain.
PESHAWAR ZALMI: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.
MATCH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the match officials panel for the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, scheduled to be played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on May 3.
According to the cricket board, former member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, Sri Lanka’s Roshan Mahnama, will head the Playing Control Team for the summit clash.
The former Sri Lanka batter has officiated in all 11 PSL seasons, with his tally as match referee in the league currently standing at 129 matches.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza and New Zealand’s Christopher Gaffaney, both members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will serve as on-field umpires for the final.
The duo will be supported by a fellow member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, Alexander Wharf, who is set to serve as the third umpire, while Pakistan’s Asif Yaqoob has been shortlisted as the fourth umpire.
PM ORDERS COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure the best possible arrangements for players and spectators ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, according to an official statement.
The instructions came during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who briefed the prime minister on the country’s security situation and measures taken to maintain law and order, as well as preparations for the high-profile cricket match.
“The prime minister directed authorities to ensure the best possible arrangements for players, spectators and other citizens for the PSL final match,” said a statement circulated by Sharif’s office.
STAR-STUDDED CEREMONY
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials said in a separate statement a star-studded ceremony would precede the match, which will see seasoned contenders Peshawar Zalmi take on first-time finalists Hyderabad Kingsmen, featuring performances by prominent singers and a fireworks display.
Zalmi, one of the league’s most consistent sides, secured their place in the final through the playoffs, while Hyderabad reached the title clash in their debut season after progressing through the eliminators.
Naqvi, who is also the PCB chairman, convened a meeting to review final arrangements for the event, including the accompanying ceremony.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FANS
PSL Chief Executive Salman Naseer urged spectators to arrive at the stadium well in advance to avoid congestion.
“Fans should reach their seats by 6 p.m. to fully enjoy the closing ceremony,” he said, warning of expected traffic congestion around the venue.
Naseer said additional entry points had been set up at key gates to facilitate smoother access, adding that early arrivals would face fewer difficulties.
The PSL, Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket tournament, is one of the country’s most widely followed sporting events and typically draws large crowds for its final.
