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Shehzad, who hasn’t played in the PSL since 2020, said being a patriot “goes against you” in Pakistan cricket

Danyal Rasool15-Dec-2023

Ahmed Shehzad scored 1077 runs in 45 PSL matches at a strike rate of 120.06•PCB

Ahmed Shehzad has retired from the PSL in a blaze of fury, blaming a “deliberate effort” by all six franchises to keep him out of the competition. In a detailed statement, in which he said – without elucidating – that he knew “exactly the reasons why I’m not made part of the PSL”, he said he was leaving to keep his self-respect intact.It does not signal a retirement from all cricket, with Shehzad claiming he had been offered money to participate in leagues around the world, offers which he should theoretically be able to take up now. His statement suggested disillusionment with Pakistan cricket, saying patriotism “goes against you”, and pointedly suggesting other players had taken up lucrative league contracts around the globe, while he opted to stay in the domestic circuit.”I have tried really hard in domestic cricket consistently in the last few years, and did reasonably well in the National T20 Cup just before the PSL draft,” he wrote in a post on social media. “There seems a deliberate effort to keep me out, even when franchises have opted for other performers with inferior numbers than me,” he said. “But when everything is pre-planned it doesn’t really matter. I don’t know whose responsibility it is to get top domestic performers in the PSL then.”Shehzad, 32, last played in the PSL in 2020, primarily representing Quetta Gladiators with whom he won the title in 2019, scoring a half-century in that final. He had a poor tournament in 2020, scoring 61 runs in seven innings, and did not play again. He scored 1077 runs in 45 PSL matches at a strike rate of 120.06, and was the first Pakistani to score a hundred in T20I cricket.Despite being out of Pakistan contention for a few years now, there has been something of a campaign this season – on social media if nowhere else – to have Shehzad selected for Pakistan again. Wahab Riaz, the chief selector, has been asked questions about a possible recall for Shehzad on a couple of occasions, as was incoming selector Asad Shafiq. Both have played down his chances though have not ruled out a return.Shehzad had a decent National T20 Cup, with 344 runs at 133.33, but could find no takers at the PSL draft on December 13. Pakistan’s next T20 assignment is a series with New Zealand, shortly after their red-ball tour of Australia.

Chelsea have endured somewhat of a disappointing run in recent weeks, losing three games in a row across all competitions, subsequently having an impact on their Premier League standing.

However, Enzo Maresca managed to end their poor run of form last night, claiming a 4-0 win over bottom side Southampton at Stamford Bridge, a victory that was just their third league win of 2025.

Such a convincing display will add needed confidence to the first-team squad, also bolstering their chances of claiming a Champions League place by the end of the season.

However, despite the huge scoreline, multiple players struggled to produce one of their best performances, potentially being punished by higher-quality opposition on another day.

One player in particular was wasteful in West London during the triumph, extending his own disappointing run within the final third over the last few weeks.

Cole Palmer’s form for Chelsea in 2025

Cole Palmer has been the leading talisman in front of goal for Chelsea since his move from Manchester City in 2023, as seen by his mammoth tally of goal contributions.

The England international has registered 60 combined goals and assists in his 75 appearances for the Blues, but has struggled to maintain his performance levels over the last couple of weeks.

Palmer has failed to register a goal contribution in any of the last six games across all competitions, scoring just twice since the turn of the year, showcasing his decline in form.

His showing against the Saints was a wasteful one, notching seven efforts on goal, including three on target, but was unable to find the back of the net – something which he hasn’t usually struggled with in West London.

Such a spell will come as a surprise to the fanbase given his impact over the last 18 months, with Palmer needing to dig deep between now and the end of May to recapture his impressive form.

However, it has allowed for one player to potentially overtake the Englishman in terms of importance to Maresca, with one player thriving since his return to the side.

The Chelsea player who’s becoming more important than Palmer

During the early stages of the 2024/25 season, midfielder Enzo Fernández struggled to cement his place in Maresca’s starting eleven, with Moises Caicedo and Roméo Lavia ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, he’s emerged as a key member of the first team squad in recent weeks, repaying the faith shown in him by the Italian – impressing beyond anyone’s imagination.

Since the turn of the year, the Argentine may only have registered a single goal, but he has starred with his underlying stats, with his showing against Southampton up there with one of his best in recent times.

Fernandez started at the base of the side alongside Caicedo, featuring for 89 minutes at the Bridge, arguably one of the best performers within the side last night.

The 24-year-old completed 88% of the passes he attempted, whilst also winning 100% of the duels he entered – offering a real commanding presence in the midfield department.

Minutes played

89

Touches

80

Pass accuracy

58/66 (88%)

Duels won

5/5 (100%)

Chances created

6

Dribbles completed

1/1 (100%)

Recoveries made

7

Enzo also created six chances, completing 100% of dribbles and making seven recoveries – producing a sensational all-round box-to-box performance for the Blues.

As a result of his display, the former Benfica ace was handed a 9/10 match rating by Football London journalist Bobby Vincent, further demonstrating how impressive he was in the convincing victory.

Palmer has no doubt been crucial to the side over the last couple of months, with the former City star expected to have a drop-off after such a stellar start to life in West London.

However, Fernandez has since stepped up to the plate, producing multiple impressive showings at the heart of the side, taking responsibility with Maresca reaping the rewards as a result of the trust shown in him.

Chelsea's £100m star in the making has very quickly become a liability

He’s been really disappointing recently for Enzo Maresca’s side.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 24, 2025

The left-armer produced a stunning first over but England quick Olly Stone limped off after three balls

ECB Reporters Network30-Jun-2023Birmingham 172 for 8 (Yates 65, Shaheen 4-29, Ball 3-33) beat Nottinghamshire 168 (Moores 73, Hasan 3-25, Lintott 3-27) by two wickets Birmingham Bears booked themselves a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast with a two-wicket victory over North Group rivals Notts Outlaws at a damp Trent Bridge despite losing four wickets to Pakistan ace Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over of their innings as they chased 169 to win.The Bears, already sure of a place in the knock-out stages after five straight wins before this, found themselves reeling at seven for four as Shaheen, at 23 already regarded as among the best bowlers in the world in this format, gave away five wides with his first ball but then took wickets with his first, second, fifth and sixth legal deliveries.But, after the Outlaws lost their England quick Olly Stone after bowling just three balls on his comeback from injury, opener Rob Yates put together a calm 65 from 46 balls with five sixes that ultimately proved to be the foundation for a victory completed with five balls to spare with vital runs from Jacob Bethell (27) and Jake Lintott (27 not out) in the middle and later stages of the innings.Despite Tom Moores hitting 73 from 42 balls, the Outlaws always looked to be under par with 168 from their 20 overs, Hasan Ali taking 3 for 25 and Lintott 3 for 27. Afridi’s 4 for 29 and Jake Ball’s 3 for 33 proved in vain and Outlaws need to beat Leicestershire Foxes at Trent Bridge in their final game to join the Bears in the knock-out stages.Asked to bat first after struggling for runs in their last three matches, the Outlaws suffered an early blow as Alex Hales continued his own poor run by chopping on to Henry Brookes for four but Joe Clarke and Lyndon James found some late momentum in the powerplay, James clearing the Larwood and Voce Stand with an enormous six over midwicket off Brookes.Yet from 61 for 1 after six overs they were checked again by the Bears spinners, with both Clarke (26) and Matt Montgomery bowled by Lintott in consecutive overs as the Outlaws reached halfway at 86 for 3.Lintott, the left-arm wrist spinner, picked up his third wicket when James, in his most productive Blast innings to date, cut straight to backward point for 37, but gave Moores a life on 21 when he spilled what should have been an easy boundary catch off Olly Hannon-Dalby.It turned out to be an expensive miss in the context of the innings as the wicket-keeper made the most of that and another slice of luck on 28 when a steepler off Glenn Maxwell dropped safe by hammering sixes off Maxwell, Lintott and Hannon-Dalby twice as 45 were added in the last six overs.But that was against the loss of six wickets as Pakistan international Ali signed off his Bears stint by having Steven Mullaney caught on the fence, trapping Matt Carter leg before and bowling Moores with the last ball of the innings after Maxwell had removed Imad Wasim, leg before, and Afridi via a catch at long-on before Stone was run out as the last three balls of the innings all brought wickets.Any hopes of straightforward night for the Bears seemed to be obliterated in Afridi’s extraordinary first over, which began with five wides but then saw Alex Davies yorked and Chris Benjamin bowled attempting a scoop off the first two legal deliveries, followed by two singles and another two wickets off the final two balls, Dan Mousley falling victim to a stunning one-handed catch by Stone at short cover and Ed Barnard castled first ball by another stunning yorker.More drama followed as Stone, playing in his first Blast match of the season after a long absence with a hamstring injury, had to leave the field after bowling just three balls. Yates began to assert himself with sixes off Carter and Ball but Maxwell bottom-edged into his stumps off Ball and the Bears were 60 for 5.Thanks to Afridi’s heroics, the Bears were three runs behind where they needed to be on the DLS chart when rain brought an interruption with the visitors 76 for 5 after seven, but the break, which in the end cost no overs, game the Bears time to gather their senses and at 101 for 5 after 10, with Yates having completed a 27-ball fifty that included four sixes, they were beginning to look favourites.Bethell was needlessly run out in the 12th over, putting the outcome in the balance again with 51 needed from 50 balls, but as the requirement came down to 34 from the last five overs it was clear that the Outlaws needed to be rid of Yates if they were not to slip to defeat.In the event, they claimed his wicket with the next ball as the left-hander sent a delivery from Ball skywards and Clarke took a fine diving catch at cover as Yates departed for 65. Ball raised home hopes again when he dismissed Ali with two overs left but Henry Brookes hit the winning boundary off Imad in the final over.

Home side recover from afternoon to collapse to lead by 197 with four wickets standing

ECB Reporters Network13-Jun-2023Tom Haines made 91 and there were half-centuries for skipper Tom Alsop, Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Jack Carson as Sussex recovered from a mini-collapse to head into the final day against Worcestershire at Hove with a lead of 297 and four second-innings wickets in hand.Haines and Tom Clark knocked off their first-innings deficit of 62 in a confident opening stand of 143 that appeared to be putting their side in a strong position. But 45 minutes after lunch suddenly there was some assistance in the 1st Central County Ground pitch for Worcestershire’s seamers.Haines and Clark departed to successive balls and both James Coles and Ollie Carter fell cheaply as four wickets went down in 27 deliveries for just four runs. When Dan Ibrahim was fifth out for a skittish but in the circumstances vital run-a-ball 28, Sussex were only in front by 116.But the obdurate Alsop and Hudson-Prentice tilted the balance back in their favour during a stand of 82 in 23 overs either side of tea. Hudson-Prentice fell to Pakistan legspinner Usama Mir for 54 but Alsop was joined by Carson in another productive alliance so far worth 99 with Sussex closing on 359 for 6.At the start of the day Worcestershire opener Jake Libby had been dismissed off the fourth ball without adding to his overnight 198. Libby turned down a single to protect last man Ben Gibbon only to edge the next delivery low to Clark at second slip and give Ari Karvelas, who finished with 4 for 54, his fourth wicket with the second new ball. Worcestershire had lost their last seven for 44 in 12.2 overs.The momentum seemed to be back with Sussex, especially when Clark and Haines rattled along at more than five an over before lunch. Haines needed just 48 balls to complete his fifty, swatting away anything loose in his strong scoring areas on the leg side for the majority of his ten fours. Clark was more circumspect and nearly ran out his partner when going through for the single to get to his half-century.Sussex were making serene progress but after lunch Worcestershire’s seamers tightened their lines and the tide briefly turned. Haines will be disappointed with his dismissal to an indeterminate poke outside off stump to a channel ball which he guided to second slip, having hit 18 boundaries.Matthew Waite picked up Clark with the next delivery off a very faint edge to wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick before Adam Finch dropped short and Brett D’Oliveira made good ground from mid-on to take a fine catch off Coles’ top-edged pull.In his next over Finch pinned Carter with late inswing and although Ibrahim was dropped at slip by Adam Hose on 19 it didn’t prove expensive. Waite had him leg before a few balls later and Worcestershire were on top.But that was to be their last success for a while as Alsop and Hudson-Prentice rebuilt. Alsop was happy to drop anchor while Hudson-Prentice attacked at the other end. He hit nine fours in his half-century and it was a surprise when he tried to cut a ball from Mir he could have left alone and underedged to the keeper.Worcestershire took the second new ball when it became available but by then Carson had joined his captain in another crucial partnership. It had swelled further by stumps with Carson reaching his fifty with a six off Mir and Alsop, who has batted four hours for his 67, playing an important role to set up what could be an enthralling final day when all results are possible.

No risks from champions as Nottinghamshire’s overnight ascendancy is thwarted

ECB Reporters Network13-Jul-2023

Will Jacks dug in to ensure Surrey did not slip up•Getty Images

Brett Hutton’s fifth five-wicket haul of the season was the highlight of the final day at The Oval as Surrey’s LV= Insurance County Championship fixture with Nottinghamshire petered out into a draw.Hutton, who spent a portion of day one off the field with what proved to be cramp, took 5 for 91 to take his tally for the season in the Championship to 41, putting him alongside Durham’s Chris Rushworth at the top of the wicket-taking standings.South African leg-spinner Calvin Harrison provided great support for Hutton with 3 for 99 to bowl out the hosts for 340 40 minutes after lunch. This was a heroic effort from the visitors who, already without the services of Jake Ball, injured in the first innings, then lost Dane Paterson to what appeared to be a hip injury after just one delivery with the new ball.Will Jacks led the run-scoring for Surrey with a largely subdued 60, while there a maiden first-class 50 for Tom Lawes, but Surrey’s batting was overly cautious for too long.The eventual chase was 297 from 52 overs, but despite a solid start from Ben Slater (39) and acting captain Haseeb Hameed (44 not out ) a draw was agreed with the visitors 118 for 1.Surrey began the day 156 ahead with five wickets down, so were understandably keen to avoid a collapse which would have afforded the men of Trent Bridge a more comfortable chase. Consequently, progress from Lawes and Jacks was at best steady, the main talking point being an accidental beamer by Paterson to Lawes from a ball which clearly slipped out of his hand.The arrival of the new ball led briefly to a change of approach as Jacks attempted to break the shackles with two fours from a Hutton over. Paterson’s unfortunate injury appeared to help the host’s cause, but Hutton responded magnificently in adversity, trapping Jacks lbw before sending first-innings centurion Jordan Clark packing by the same means.Surrey went to lunch on 299 for 7, 255 in front but anyone hoping they would have a quick dart on the resumption were disappointed as they chewed up more than 11 overs in adding a further 41.Lawes reached 50 in 106 balls before Harrison had him superbly caught at slip by Matthew Montgomery. The leg-spinner then turned catcher to remove Sean Abbott and give Hutton his fourth victim.The run-chase may have been more tempting had Jamie Overton been given out caught at mid-wicket soon afterwards, but the square leg umpire ruled the catch hadn’t carried and consequently another seven overs slipped by before Hutton wrapped up the innings.Hameed and Slater saw off the early swing from the Kookaburra in the run-chase, the latter more than once despatching the short ball to the fence. However, the run-rate required which had begun at almost six continued to rise. By the time Slater cut Jacks into the hands of Abbott at point from what proved the last ball before tea to depart for 39, that rate was almost seven.A barrage of short balls from Overton immediate post the tea interval slowed down Nottinghamshire’s progress still further and Hameed and Young batted with few alarms before the 5pm handshakes.

أعلن الدنماركي ييس توروب المدير الفني لفريق الأهلي، عن تشكيل لاعبيه أمام المصري، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الممتاز.

وتقام المباراة بين الأهلي ونظيره المصري، على أرضية استاد برج العرب، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الـ13 من الدوري.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز الثاني بجدول ترتيب الدوري ولديه 22 نقطة، من الفوز بـ6 مباريات والتعادل 4 مرات بجانب هزيمة وحيدة حتى الآن خلال مشواره في الدوري المصري.

طالع | بدلاء الأهلي أمام المصري في الدوري.. بن شرقي يجاور أفشة

المصري يحتل المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 19 نقطة، بعدما خاض 11 مباراة، فاز في 5 مواجهات وتعادل في 4 وخسر مباراتين.

وشهد تشكيل الأهلي مشاركة مروان عطية أساسيًا في منتصف الملعب بجوار ديانج، وفي الهجوم جاء طاهر محمد طاهر على حساب أشرف بن شرقي. تشكيل الأهلي اليوم أمام المصري في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: محمد هاني، ياسر إبراهيم، ياسين مرعي، أحمد نبيل كوكا.

خط الوسط: آليو ديانج، مروان عطية، محمود حسن تريزيجيه.

خط الهجوم: طاهر محمد طاهر، نيتس جراديشار، أحمد سيد زيزو.

da dobrowin： As the summer transfer window rumbles on, one thing that is clear is that Manchester United are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to replace Andre Onana. And whilst Emiliano Martinez’s name has been mentioned aplenty, INEOS have now reportedly contacted an alternative option.

Monaco interested in Andre Onana

da jogodeouro： As Manchester United look to replace their struggling shot-stopper, it could be AS Monaco who hand Onana a much-needed lifeline this summer. The Ligue 1 club are reportedly interested in signing the former Inter Milan man and, in doing so, freeing up room for those at Old Trafford to sign a new No.1 this summer.

An exit for Onana is something that should suit all parties. The Cameroon international was supposed to bring forth a new era in between the sticks when he arrived to replace David de Gea in 2023. He was billed as the ultimate modern-day goalkeeper and even arrived fresh from a Champions League final with Inter Milan, albeit one he lost against Manchester City.

The ultimate modern-day goalkeeper is not what Manchester United got, however. Onana’s struggles in possession quickly became apparent and what made matters worse were his endless mistakes on the shot-stopping front to sum up a debut season to forget. And since then, things haven’t got much better.

Now, United are on the hunt for an upgrade and that hunt has taken them towards the Midlands. According to recent reports, Emiliano Martinez is keen on completing a move to Old Trafford this summer, whilst Premier League rivals Aston Villa could have no choice but to sell the World Cup winner amid PSR concerns.

The Argentina international isn’t the only name on the list, though, with fresh reports now suggesting that INEOS have made their first move to sign a younger alternative.

Man Utd make contact to sign Carnesecchi

According to Caught Offside, INEOS have now made contact with Marco Carnesecchi over a summer move to Manchester United. The Atalanta goalkeeper has impressed in Italy and has now caught the attention of those at Old Trafford, but it’s not a deal that will come cheap, with reports indicating that it will take a lucrative offer for Atalanta to sell their No.1 in the coming months.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Marco Carnesecchi

Emiliano Martinez

Andre Onana

Starts

34

34

37

Clean Sheets

13

9

8

Saves per 90

2.85

2.59

2.7

Save Percentage

75.2%

68.9%

69%

When compared with Martinez and Onana, it is Carnesecchi who stands out. The Atalanta man kept more clean sheets, made more saves per 90 and maintained a better save percentage than both of his counterparts. The more that he is looked at in detail, the more Man United should be tempted to make that lucrative offer.

Related Their own Haaland: Wilcox plotting big Man Utd move for "remarkable" £44m CF

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could emulate Erling Haaland’s success.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2025

Dubbed a “young De Gea” for his shot-stopping by analyst DanieIscouting, Manchester United would be landing an impressive solution to their goalkeeper problems by signing Carnesecchi this summer.

Celtic are on track to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch this week with a deal for FC Nordsjaelland winger Benjamin Nygren moving closer.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that the Hoops are close to agreeing a fee with the Danish side for the Sweden international, in a move that is expected to cost around £2m.

The journalist states that there is a desire from all parties to get a deal over the line and that talks are progressing well, as Brendan Rodgers looks to add another forward to his attacking arsenal.

Nygren scored 15 goals in 30 matches in the Danish Superliga during the 2024/25 campaign, as a left-footed right winger, and could compete with Nicolas Kuhn for a place in the team next season at Parkhead.

The Swedish star may not be the only winger to arrive in Glasgow before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as they are also eyeing up a left-winger.

Celtic have interest in Norwegian forward

According to the Daily Record, Brendan Rodgers wants further attacking signings on top of the pending arrival of Nygren, with a couple of left-sided forwards on the club’s radar.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report claims that Norway U21 international Sondre Orjasaeter is one of the wingers being eyed up by the Scottish giants, as they look to add more quality to their frontline options.

It states that the Sarpsborg star, who is valued at £7m by his club, is a long-term target for the Scottish Premiership champions, alongside Royal Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

This should be good news for the Hoops faithful because Orjasaeter would be a signing that is just as exciting as Nygren if they can get a deal over the line before the end of the window.

Why Sondre Orjasaeter is as exciting as Benjamin Nygren

Nygren is an exciting addition because of his impressive goal tally of 15 goals in 30 league games, but the 23-year-old has only provided three assists in his last 50 outings in the Superliga.

Orjasaeter may not be a winger who is going to score 15 goals in a season, which is why Nygren is particularly exciting, as he has only scored six league goals since the start of the 2024 Eliteserien campaign.

However, the Norwegian starlet offers creativity as well as a goal threat from the left flank, and is two years younger than the Swedish forward at the age of 21.

Orjasaeter has created seven ‘big chances’ and delivered two assists in seven Eliteserien outings in the 2025 campaign to date, after he caught the eye in last year’s season.

xG

4.01

Top 26%

Goals

5

Top 18%

Shots on target

30

Top 1%

Assists

5

Top 16%

xA

6.31

Top 11%

Chances created

52

Top 11%

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old starlet ranked very highly in the Norwegian top-flight as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his side, and was let down by wasteful finishing from his teammates.

Orjasaeter, who was dubbed a “highly valued player” by Sarpsborg sporting director Hampus Andersson, is a winger who provides a decent goal threat, but also brings the ability to consistently unlock opposition defences with his creativity.

This is why he is as exciting as Nygren, despite the disparity between their respective goal outputs, because they could both offer a lot of quality at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops, albeit in different ways.

Celtic can land bigger signing than Schlupp in move for "incredible" star

Celtic have progressed in their attempts to sign a left-back who would be even better than Jeffrey Schlupp.

ByDan Emery Jun 14, 2025

It is now down to the club to ensure that they get transfers over the line for both of these wingers in the coming days and weeks, to give Rodgers plenty to work with next season.

A look at the players who could be future stars for Pakistan

Umar Farooq01-Mar-2022Zaman Khan
A right-arm fast bowler, Zaman Khan was the only player from the emerging category to play all the games for his team in the season. He was first spotted in a Multan Sultans camp back in 2018. It led him to play for Pakistan Under-17 before he made a name playing for Rawalakot Hawks in the Kashmir Premier League last year.He was the most sought-after player in the emerging category and Lahore Qalandars picked him at the first opportunity. He didn’t disappoint them and finished third on the wickets tally with 18 scalps, behind only Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan. Out of four maiden overs in the whole tournament, he bowled two.Against Islamabad United, with 12 needed for a win, he conceded just three against Asif Ali and Azam Khan. His 4 for 16 against the Karachi Kings and two crucial middle-order wickets in the final against Multan Sultans made him a potential future star for the country.Mohammad Haris
A dashing opener, Mohammad Haris announced himself with a match-winning 49 off 27 balls for Peshawar Zalmi against Kings on his PSL debut. He was drafted into the playing XI after the Karachi leg, replacing Zalmi’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal after he had tested positive for Covid-19. Such was Haris’ impact that even when Akmal returned, Haris stayed in the XI.He hit another match-winning 32-ball 70 against United to further stamp his authority and ended the season with 166 runs at a strike rate of 186.51, the highest by any top-order batter this PSL.Yasir Khan
Yasir Khan, 19, hails from Bannu, a city in the southern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but played cricket in Rawalpindi for five years. He shot into the spotlight for his stint playing Grade-2 cricket for KP 2nd XI after his run-feasts in city cricket for the Bannu region.Opening the batting on his PSL debut he took many by surprise with his 12-ball 30 against Quetta Gladiators. Two games later he struck 35 off 24 balls from No. 3 against United. However, with Akmal returning to the side after recovering from Covid, Yasir got to play only one more game.Salman Irshad is thrilled after knocking over Alex Hales•AFP/Getty ImagesSalman Irshad
Salman Irshad is a product of the Lahore Qalandars development program, having come through their ranks in 2018. Though he made the Qalandars’ squad for the 2020 season after replacing the injured Haris Rauf, he went unpicked in 2021 due to his poor form for Northern, giving away runs at an average of 33 and an economy rate of 9.90.He appeared to be in a bit of a rut until Zalmi picked him ahead of this season, and Irshad repaid their faith in gold. Irshad signed off PSL 2022 with 15 crucial wickets, a strike rate of 12.80, and an average of 17.60. He was the team’s leading wicket-taker, and the second-highest overall, finishing just five scalps behind Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 20.Irshad’s career has followed a zig-zag trajectory so far, but having accounted for several dangerous batters this year like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw, his star is likely to shine brighter in upcoming seasons.Qasim Akram
One of the most sought-after players from the Under-19 circuit, Qasim Akram, unfortunately, didn’t make many appearances at the PSL this season due to his commitments at the Under-19 World Cup. Qasim, who captains the Pakistan Under-19 side, boasts a T20 strike rate of 152.04, even though he averages only 14.90 from 21 T20s.Qasim was on Islamabad United’s wishlist, and though they tried to get him on board, Kings used the right-to-match option to retain the allrounder. Qasim went on to make an impression in the game against United, scoring an unbeaten fifty to nearly drag Kings to victory. The five games he played this season weren’t nearly enough to showcase his true talent, but the 19-year-old is all set to have more opportunities ahead.

The latest round-up of how the Australia players are going in the UAE as the IPL starts to take shape

Andrew McGlashan12-Oct-20203:57

What’s behind the success of Anrich Nortje and James Pattinson?

While the Australian domestic season comes to life in Adelaide a group of players continue to ply their trade at the IPL in the UAE. It’s been a mixed week as the points table starts to take a bit of a divide between those pushing for the playoffs and those struggling for momentum. Here’s a round-up of some of the highlightsMaxwell’s frustrationsSo far it has been an IPL to forget for Glenn Maxwell – he has 58 runs from seven innings (and just 61 balls faced) for bottom-of-the-table Kings XI Punjab. Against the Sunrisers Hyderabad he again walked in with his team in bother at 58 for 3 chasing 202 and could only manage 7 off 12 balls before being run out. Against Kolkata Knight Riders he came in during the penultimate over with the Kings XI having made a mess of another chase and faced his first ball at the start of the last over needing 14 to win. When he was on strike for the final ball a six would have forced a Super Over and he came within inches of doing it, but he couldn’t quite get the distance against Sunil Narine. “Shattered,” was his succinct response on Twitter.

Shattered… #gameofinches

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) October 10, 2020

Stoinis’ new role?Marcus Stoinis began the IPL by plundering 53 off 21 balls and he has had another productive week for the Delhi Capitals. His second fifty – coming off 24 balls – helped provide a critical late surge against the Royal Challengers Bangalore to propel an innings that had been losing its way although he was given three lives. Against the Rajasthan Royals he produced a telling all-round display hitting 39 off 30 balls before taking 2 for 17. Most of Stoinis’ T20 success has come at the top order – Australia coach Justin Langer said that was his best spot – but if he returns from the IPL with another string to his bow it will be very interesting to see where he finds a space in the T20I side to face India having moved around the order against England last month. Before the IPL, his strike-rate at Nos. 5 and 6 was 131.22 but in the this tournament it’s up at 175.00.Marcus Stoinis sent Hardik Pandya back for a duck•BCCIFinch’s Ashwin warningAaron Finch almost became the latest run-out backing up victim for R Ashwin when the Royal Challengers faced the Capitals. Australia’s limited-overs captain strayed a long way out of his crease as Ashwin prepared to bowl the fourth delivery of his opening over, but was spared when Ashwin offered a smile – and later a stern ‘warning’ to any other batsmen. There was much made before the IPL began of Ricky Ponting’s comments that he did not agree with the mode of dismissal and he, too, wore a smile from the dug out when Ashwin resisted. For Finch himself, he has yet to find his best form with just one significant score – his 52 against Mumbai Indians – in six innings.

Let’s make it clear !! First and final warning for 2020. I am making it official and don’t blame me later on. @RickyPonting #runout #nonstriker @AaronFinch5 and I are good buddies btw. #IPL2020

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) October 5, 2020

Smith fadesSteven Smith started the tournament in strong form after his return from the concussion that curtailed his series in England, but in the last couple of weeks the runs have been hard to come by. In his last five innings he has a top score of 24 amid a misfiring Royals top order and there have been some ugly hoicks among his dismissals. On Sunday he was run out for 5 against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad following a mix-up with Jos Buttler. As captain, though, he is now able to call on Ben Stokes who made his first appearance of the competition after returning from compassionate leave.Archer gets Warner, againIt is turning into another very consistent campaign for Warner – only one score below 28 in seven innings – although he has not hit the destructive heights he has shown in the past. His innings against the Royals was particularly hard work to begin with as he ended the Powerplay with 8 off 13 balls as part of a very sluggish 26 for 1. He started to move through the gears after that, but just as he was threatening something substantial his 2020 nemesis struck again: bowled by Jofra Archer for 48.

Looks like @JofraArcher will be getting a new console @xboxuk #SRHvRR | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/tcVvDbnlk6

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 11, 2020

Ins and outsAlex Carey made his first appearance for the Capitals after Rishabh Pant picked up a hamstring injury and will likely get a few more games with Pant expected to be out for a week. AJ Tye was brought by the Royals but went 1 for 50 against the Capitals (and batted No. 7) before being left out again due to Stokes’ return. After two matches in the RCB XI, Adam Zampa is back on the bench. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Daniel Sams, Chris Lynn, Chris Green and Billy Stanlake are still yet to play.