KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings, in their send-off event at Naya Nazimabad, expressed the hope of entering the finals of the third edition of the tournament.

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim said team will try to put smiles on the fans of the franchise by winning the title.

“We are going to the UAE keeping in mind that we have to win the title by performing in the third edition of the PSL. In the last two seasons we were not able to make Karachi fans happy, but this time we will come to Karachi for the final and win it,” said Imad. “You all just pray for us and leave the rest to us, we will not disappoint you this time.”
Right-handed opener Babar Azam said Kings look in shape courtesy a good mix of players. “We will try to give our best and make it into the final,” he said.

Meanwhile, the first international PSL player to come to Karachi, England all-rounder Ravi Bopara said: “The way I was welcomed by everyone in Karachi was incredible. I just want you all to keep supporting your team. We have a wonderful team and we will win.”

“We did have a good team in previous editions but unfortunately we were not able to make it into the final, but this time we will,” he said, adding that visiting Karachi before the final is a great pleasure for him.

“I am here before the final and the security is up to the mark. When I go back, everyone will be asking me about the visit and I know they will be pleased to hear all the good experiences I had in these two days.”

Karachi Kings director cricket operations Rashid Latif believes sixth team’s addition will make the league more competitive. “With the inclusion of sixth team, the level of competition has increased and also the chance for our youngsters to play top level cricket with international stars.”

Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah was also present at the ceremony and wished the team well. “This time, instead of going to Dubai to watch PSL, I’ll be waiting here in Karachi to welcome the team for the final and I hope that Karachi is one of the teams in the final.”

The Karachi Kings also launched their official anthem at a separate event a day before the sending off ceremony.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Super League set to launch its third edition in Dubai on Thursday, adding a sixth team, more international stars and with hopes that the T20 tournament can be staged entirely on home soil from 2019.

The new Multan Sultans and the confirmation of a slew of international greats such as Shane Watson and Brendon McCullum has given a lift to fans eager to forget last-year’s spot-fixing scandal. And the decision to stage the three final matches of the PSL at home, in Lahore and Karachi, could pave the way for the entire tournament to be staged in Pakistan next year.

The Sultans, bought by the Schon Group for $5.2 million — twice the price tag of the previous most expensive team in the franchise, the Karachi Kings — are coached by legendary Pakistani paceman Wasim Akram and skippered by Shoaib Malik.

They will take on defending champions Peshawar Zalmi in the opening match in Dubai Thursday, after a rousing opening ceremony set to include a performance by US rapper Jason Derulo.

Pakistan has staged its international fixtures in the United Arab Emirates in recent years as it grapples with militant violence. But a dramatic improvement in security saw officials stage the PSL final in Lahore last year, its biggest match in nearly a decade, a move which boosted hopes the cricket-obsessed country could become an international venue once more.

This year two of the three play-offs are planned for Lahore, with the final due at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 25.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said he hopes that in 2019 the entire tournament will be played at home.

“That will pave the way for a full series in Pakistan by a top team,” Sethi told AFP, speaking from Dubai ahead of the tournament. “We are very satisfied that PSL has become an international brand in two years.”

Busy schedules mean top foreign players such as England’s Eoin Morgan, Alex Hales and Jason Roy are only available for part of the tournament as are Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmuddullah Riyadh.

But the presence of stars like Australia’s Watson and Chris Lynn, the West Indies’ Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and New Zealand’s McCullum and Luke Ronchi will lift interest.

Former Pakistan legendary fast-bowler Akram stressed that officials are also eager to seek new talent from Pakistan.

“We found Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali from the first two editions of the PSL so the main aim is to hone the talent of local players,” he told AFP.

One of the most exciting new players on show will be lanky fast bowler Salman Irshad, who is set to become the first player from Azad Kashmir.

Another fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and batsman Sahibzada Farhan — both from troubled areas of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — will also be on the radar.

Along with early teething problems, the league was rocked by a spot-fixing scandal last year which ended in five-year bans on Islamabad United openers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif.

“We are working with the Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit of the International Cricket Council to make sure that strong measures are in place to stop fixing,” said Sethi.

Also on a trial will be Karachi, the sprawling, chaotic port megacity set to host the final.

With normality returning after decades of ethnic violence, Karachi is rolling out head-of-state level security to stage its first high profile match in nine years.

The last international fixture played at the National Stadium was between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in February 2009, just one week before a fateful match in Lahore, where militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus.

While Mahira Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi are busy filming for their upcoming venture, Maula Jatt 2, the duo has come together to support the PSL team Peshawar Zalmi in its third season.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND: A withering spell by Trent Boult saw New Zealand destroy Pakistan by 183 runs in the third one-day international to comfortably wrap up the series in Dunedin on Saturday.

Boult rocked Pakistan with three wickets in five balls to take out the cream of their top order on his way to figures of five for 17.

New Zealand, batting first, were restricted to 257, with their innings boosted by 11 off the final over before Boult was dismissed on the last ball.

Then, after Boult’s near unplayable overs, Pakistan were all out for 74 in the 28th over to give New Zealand an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

At eight for 32, Pakistan were threatening two unwanted records – the lowest ODI score of 35, held by Zimbabwe, and Pakistan’s own lowest score of 43 – before Sarfraz Ahmed (14 not out), Mohammad Amir (14) and Rumman Raees (16) delayed the inevitable finish.

Boult was in action in the second over when Azhar Ali was caught by Ross Taylor at first slip without scoring.

Dangerman Fakhar Zaman was bowled for two and Taylor also caught Mohammad Hafeez for a duck in Boult second over and Pakistan were in a hole they were never going to get out of.

If New Zealand thought they were slow making 37 for one off the first 10 overs, Pakistan were in dire trouble at nine for three at the same stage.

But when struggling to stay afloat, Babar Azam was unnecessarily run out for eight to start another slide.

In the following over Shoaib Malik was caught by Taylor off Lochie Ferguson for three and seven balls later part-timer Colin Munro bowled Shadab Khan for without scoring and Pakistan were 16 for six in the 15th over.
With light drizzle falling, but not strong enough to send the players off the field, Faheem Ashraf gave Pakistan supporters something to cheer about when he top-edged Lochie Ferguson for six.

But on 10 Faheem was gone hooking Ferguson to Todd Astle at fine leg, before Boult came back to claim Amir and Rumman to end the innings.

Pakistan came to New Zealand on a nine-match winning streak and the promise of providing a more formidable opposition for New Zealand who had just swept a series against the West Indies.

After losing the first two matches they arrived in Dunedin needing to win and had their tails up when Munro went for eight in the second over.

But half-centuries to Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor plus 45 for Martin Guptill set New Zealand up.

Williamson never looked particularly fluent but reached 73 off 101 deliveries while Taylor made 52 off 64 deliveries.

Pakistan did look smart in the field and finished with a flourish taking seven wickets for 48 in the last eight overs.

LAHORE: It may be a while before Pakistan can participate in the FIFA World Cup, considering the shambles the country’s football is in, but football fans in the country can at least satisfy themselves with the fact that the World Cup trophy will be in Pakistan on February 3.

The 2018 trophy tour includes 50 countries from six continents, with Pakistan being among those countries for the very first time.

The suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) had raised fears that the trophy may not come to Pakistan, but Coca FIFA’s World Cup partner Coca Cola have helped ensure that Pakistan stay on the tour.
General Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Rizwan U Khan, spoke at a press conference that also featured the national men’s and women’s captains Kaleemullah and Hajra Khan.

“As a Pakistani, I am very excited,” Rizwan told The Express Tribune. “This will increase awareness in our youth and revive a culture of football. I foresee Pakistan playing in the World Cup in the future as well.”

Rizwan revealed that bringing the country to the country was not easy. “There was a lot of competition,” he said. “Many countries were vying for it. We can’t comment on the PFF-FIFA issue but this is a big deal for Pakistan.”

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca Cola kicked off in September 2017 in Russia and will see the trophy travelling approximately 126,000km in nine months before eventually returning to Russia.

A delegation of 16 Pakistanis, including representatives from the media, Coca Cola and the national football team, will join the tour in Chiang Mai, Thailand to receive the Trophy and bring it to Lahore. The trophy will remain in Pakistan for one day and will be to the media and thousands of football fans at the Coke Fest in Lahore, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani fan will also get the opportunity to participate in the coin toss in the match between Brazil and Costa Rica in the group stages.