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Five-tier security detail in place for PSL

Five-tier security detail in place for PSL

Posted on 05 March 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 2,532

LAHORE: Lahore Police finalizes five-tier security plan for upcoming Pakistan Super-League (PSL) matches during a meeting chaired by Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains.

Wains said that they will implement a comprehensive standard operating procedure for the matches. For this purpose, project cameras will be used. He said they would add further improvements to the plan, in regard to which no leniency would be tolerated.

The five security checks include aerial surveillance of the venue, live monitoring through CCTV cameras, walled premises, physical frisking and walk-through gates where attendees will be checked with metal detectors. The five step security detail will be set up for Qaddafi Stadium as well as the player’s residence.

The team’s route from the hotel to the stadium, as well as the interior and exterior of the venue will be monitored through CCTV cameras. A control room will be set up at the Punjab Safe City Authority Qurban Line. Furthermore, the roads and streets leading up to the stadium will be cordoned off using barricades and barbed wires.

At least 10,000 police officials, alongside Pakistan Rangers, will be deployed for security. Every participant will be meticulously checked before they enter the venue. They will also be required to provide verification through bio-metrics and their CNIC.

A shuttle service will be used to transport cricket enthusiasts from the parking stand to the stadium. Five parking points will be established by the city Traffic Police at Punjab University, Jam-e-Shirin Park, Liberty Market, FC College and Muslim Mor.

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Sharjah opener sees repeat of PSL 1 final

Sharjah opener sees repeat of PSL 1 final

Posted on 28 February 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 1,358

KARACHI: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) shifts to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United taking on each other in the first match there.

The repeat of first year’s final takes on added meaning considering both teams are currently locked at two points from two games; having won one and lost the other so far.

Both sides come into the game high on confidence after claiming a win in their last games.

“We played really well in our last match against Multan Sultan, who came into that game with two wins in two, and we were able to beat them quite convincingly in the end,” said Islamabad United’s veteran pacer Muhammad Sami, while talking to The Express Tribune. “We were pumped up for that match and gave it our best.”

Sami promised a similar effort in their game against Quetta. “We expect another competitive game against Quetta so we will give it our best to not only entertain the crowd but also to get the two points,” he said.

Islamabad dominated the game against Multan almost from start to finish, having claimed early wickets to account for Multan’s in-form top-order, and Sami says they will be looking to repeat the trick against Quetta. “We took some early wickets [against Multan] and that helped us build pressure and restrict them to a low score,” he said. “Quetta is a tough side and we are both tied on two points so a win is important for both of us.”

Young pacer Faheem Ashraf, who recently claimed Pakistan’s first-ever T20I hat-trick, is also eager to perform against the team of his national captain. “Sarfraz Ahmed has guided me a lot and I have learned a lot from him while playing for the national side,” he said. “Playing against him will be tough but I will try to give it my all. We are hoping that Misbah ul Haq will be able to recover and lead the line against Sarfraz; Misbah is an absolute legend of the game and one of the best captains around, so it’s understandable that we have more confidence when he is leading us.”

‘Quetta confident about winning’

Quetta Gladiators all-rounder and Pakistan U19 captain Hasan Khan revealed the confidence running through the side as they take on Islamabad. “Winning the last match [against Lahore Qalandars] in that emphatic a manner gave us a lot of confidence and we will use that against Islamabad,” he said.

“Our batsmen have been performing well so that gives added confidence to our bowlers, who know they can afford to bowl with aggression. The addition of [West Indian pacer] Jofra Archer has also improved the quality of our bowling unit.”

The two-time runners-up have been propelled by Muhammad Nawaz’s performances in the two games so far and the all-rounder is keen to keep his purple patch going. “My figures in the previous match (2-4 in four overs) were exceptional,” he said. “Usually the batsmen are hit all over the park in this format but I was able to claim the wickets of Lahore’s main two batsmen.”

Nawaz, however, admitted it won’t be easy to repeat the heroics. “Islamabad’s batsmen can be much more difficult to bowl to, but I will still try to give my best and do what skipper Sarfraz wants from me,” he said. “Islamabad’s batsmen have the ability to surprise you since they can suddenly switch gears and just a few bad overs are enough to completely change the direction of a game.”

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There’ll be nothing better than PSL coming home: Mahira Khan

There’ll be nothing better than PSL coming home: Mahira Khan

Posted on 28 February 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 2,193

DUBAI: Pakistan Super League T20 tournament is in full swing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistani teams alongside other esteemed international stars and players have come together to play against each other for the third year of the league. As the brand PSL grows bigger and stronger, different teams have brought on mainstream television and movie stars to take on the role of their brand ambassadors.

This year’s brand ambassador for Peshawar Zalmi is none other Mahira Khan, who is one of Pakistan’s most popular and beloved actors. Mahira tweeted earlier last week that she had joined Peshawar Zalmi as brand ambassador and appeared in Peshawar Zalmi’s music video alongside Hamza Ali Abbasi who is also the team’s brand ambassador. The music video, where Mahira looks fierce and does a customary Pakhtun dance is shot very much with the team members of Peshawar Zalmi and Hamza Ali Abbasi. The video and the anthem is perhaps the best out of all the anthems this year in PSL.

But the video is not the only exciting part about Zalmi fans, Mahira and Hamza’s fandom knows no bounds – be it on social media or in the stadium. Fans and media mobbed Mahira Khan for the chance of interviews and selfies with her. The Express Tribune caught up with Mahira Khan amidst all the excitement and madness of Pakistan Super League 2018 to talk about Peshawar Zalmi, cricket memories and more.

How does she like it, this PSL madness, I ask the Verna star. Has she ever been a part of something like this? “Never,” she responds looking around with her distinctive childlike candour. “I’ve never been a part of something like this – the last time I remembered that I was in a stadium when I was in Karachi when I was fifteen years old. We’d packed our bags and we were in a little box. It was all quite exciting.”

Is there any déjà vu she feels? “A little,” she replies thinking briefly. She shakes her head immediately afterwards and begins to say something else when there is suddenly a huge noise outside the press box, where the match is happening. The audience has gone wild. Has Zalmi scored? “This is something else though,” she remarks, perhaps denoting the electric atmosphere. “I love being here, I love rooting for the team.”

A lot of people criticised the PSL beginning in Dubai and having most of its matches here. While its final was played in Lahore last year and this year it would be played in Karachi, it continues to garner criticism for being held mostly in Dubai. Does Mahira agree? “It should definitely happen in Pakistan,” she nods. “There’ll be nothing better than PSL coming home,” Mahira says warmly. “Our stadiums getting full. Nothing better than that. If you’re asking me if I’d rather have it at home, yes. I would. But in a way, what is happening here in Dubai is amazing too. All cricket lovers from all over the world are coming here and watching this tournament happen. Which is also a great thing, I think.”

When we talked about the sense of betrayal Karachiites felt (I simply had to ask) as Mahira, a Karachiite herself, supports Peshawar’s team. Did Mahira face any backlash for going to Zalmi’s side? When I ask her this, she bursts out laughing. “Absolutely, I’ve got whatsapp groups going insane.” She pushes her hair back and gears up for a suitable explanation for this. “See, for me, if we win, my team wins, if your team wins, it’s a win-win situation.” She does have a point.

“You know the cool part is though,” the Humsafar actor says, “when the match is happening, till the time the match is going on, you’re like uurgghh (she makes a little angry warrior gesture) but when it’s over, everyone’s friends again!”

Mahira Khan is also the brand ambassador of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and was recently in Dubai at one of their fundraisers as well. Peshawar Zalmi had flown in some children from the hospital to attend one of the matches. Mahira had not had the chance to interact with them but she speaks just as passionately about them.

“I couldn’t get the chance to meet them, by the time I arrived in here, it was too late, otherwise I would have met them because it is one my absolute favourite things to do. To interact with them. And I recommend it to everyone. Next time you’re in Lahore, you must visit them. Take your kids. It’s a very special place to be.”

Mahira Khan will be seen soon in a film opposite Sheheryaar Munawar called Saat Din Muhabbat In and in another film opposite her Zalmi brand ambassador friend, Hamza Ali Abbasi, in Maula Jatt 2.

 

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For PSL final: Home dept wants temporary hospital at Karachi’s National Stadium

For PSL final: Home dept wants temporary hospital at Karachi’s National Stadium

Posted on 21 February 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 1,838

KARACHI:

The home department directed on Saturday the provincial health secretary and the director of Jinnah hospital to establish a temporary six-bed hospital at the National Stadium. In this regard, a notification stated that a decision was taken during the meeting with the chief minister to host a six-bed hospital at the stadium for the Pakistan Super League final. All basic facilities, medicines, tools, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff would be present.

As many as 35 ambulances, along with doctors and paramedical staff will be present at the stadium. Directions were given for ambulances to be present in the hotels where the cricketers and officials of International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board will be staying. Ambulances will also accompany the convoy of the players.
An emergency management center is to be established in Jinnah hospital. Orders were given to two large private and government hospitals to be prepared to meet any emergency situation.

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Multan Sultans set sights on title

Multan Sultans set sights on title

Posted on 21 February 2018 by Usama Hashmi - Total hits: 1,580

KARACHI : Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultan may be the new kids on the block but they have made it clear that they are not here to just make up the numbers, instead setting their sights on claiming the title on their first attempt.

Multan Sultan owner Khizer Schon expressed his optimism about their chances of winning the PSL. “We have some of the best players available and we are hopeful of winning the title,” he told The Express Tribune. “We have some experienced players such as Ahmad Shahzad, Shoaib Malik and Imran Tahir. Add to that the presence of Wasim Akram on the bench and it’s clear that we have the required personnel to win.”

Schon has suggested that fans of both Multan and Lahore Qalandars will be marking their calendars for the two ‘Punjab derbies’. “Lahore and Multan have always been rivals; representing northern and southern Punjab respectively. So it’s no surprise that everyone is looking forward to that game.

The Multan owner also revealed that all his players are willing to travel to Pakistan for the games. “We selected only those players who were willing to come to the matches to be held in Lahore and Karachi,” he said. “Therefore we are confident of welcoming all of them to Pakistan if we reach that mark.”

However, despite expressing complete trust in his team, Schon did have one regret: the unavailability of Indian players for the PSL, stating that he would have wanted current and former Indian skippers Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in his side.

We have the best players: Shan Masood

Pakistani opening batsman Shan Masood, speaking from Dubai, was similarly confident ahead of his side’s first game against Peshawar Zalmi in the opening match of PSL3.

“We are in good shape and have a team filled with experienced players,” he said. “Across the board we have some of the best players around, whether it be in batting, bowling, fielding or wicketkeeping.”

The left-hander warned his teammates though that they will face a baptism of fire. “We will be playing together for the first time so our opening game is going to be the toughest; especially since it will be against the defending champions,” he said. “There will be pressure on both sides though so it will come down to who avails their chances better.”

Eager to show what we can do, says Sohail Tanvir

Confidence seems to be available in high quantities within the Multan camp and veteran all-rounder Sohail Tanvir says they are eager to show the world what they can do.

“This is a team playing together for the first time so we want to show everyone what we are capable of and hopefully claim the title,” he said. “Players like Sangakkara, Kieron Pollard and Thisara Perera are sure to help the side. I will also be looking to use my experience to help the players.

‘Great honour to be part of Multan Sultans’

Pakistan Test bowler Muhammad Abbas may have been impressing in the longest format of the game but he is not known for his exploits in the shortest format. Understandable, then, that the Sialkot-born is eager to change that after being selected for his first PSL by Multan.

“Being a part of the PSL with this Multan side is a huge honour for me,” he said. “This is going to be my first PSL so I hope to impress in it in order to make a place for myself in the national T20I side.”

Abbas also praised the domestic league for helping unearth talent for the national side. “The last two editions of the PSL have given Pakistan some new players and I am sure that will be the case this time around too,” he said. “Our players and our coaches are extremely experiences so I will sure we will at least make it to the final, even though we just have a few days to train together before the league begins.”

‘Everyone is optimistic about title’

19-year-old Saif Badar, who was in the Lahore roster last year, also discussed the welcoming environment of the Multan team.

“Lahore was a good side but now I am part of Multan so I will do my best to help the team win,” he said. “Everyone here is incredibly supportive and we are all optimistic about winning the title.”

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