Fakhar Zaman's 36th Birthday Honored by PCB with Career Retrospective Lahore (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman celebrated his 36th birthday on Friday with a heartfelt tribute from fans and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which highlighted his record-breaking career, iconic performances, and lasting influence on the sport. The occasion marked a moment to reflect on his journey from a promising naval officer to one of Pakistan’s most explosive openers. Known for his fearless strokeplay and ability to dominate bowling attacks, Zaman’s career milestones were showcased through a specially curated reel that emphasized his most memorable innings. The PCB’s tribute included a heartfelt message from Zaman himself, who expressed gratitude for the birthday wishes and the floral gesture from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “Thank you very much, Chairman @MohsinnaqviC42 Sb for such a wonderful gesture. Your kind birthday wishes and the beautiful flowers truly meant a lot. Grateful for your warmth and thoughtfulness,” Zaman tweeted, sharing a photo of the flowers. Zaman, affectionately nicknamed “Fauji” due to his early days in the Pakistan Navy before transitioning to professional cricket in 2013, has carved a reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic openers. Over the years, he has accumulated 6,547 international runs across formats, a testament to his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure. His career highlights include a record-breaking unbeaten 210 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), which remains Pakistan’s highest individual score in the format. This innings, played during a crucial match, solidified his place in the record books and demonstrated his capacity to perform in high-stakes scenarios.#pakistan_cricket_board #pakistan_super_league #fakhar_zaman #mohsin_naqvi #lahore
Quetta Gladiators to Bat First in PSL 2026 Clash Against Islamabad United Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United are set to face off in Match 9 of the Pakistan Super League 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 2. The match marks a crucial encounter for both teams as they aim to secure early momentum in the tournament. Quetta Gladiators, who have started the season with a mix of success and setbacks, will take the field first after winning the toss. Islamabad United, still searching for their first victory of the season following a loss and a washed-out game, will be eager to bounce back. The conditions in Lahore are expected to favor batters, with previous matches in the tournament producing high scores. However, disciplined bowling could still play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome. Quetta Gladiators appear more settled with in-form players and a balanced lineup, while Islamabad United will rely on their experienced core to turn things around. The match is anticipated to be a high-intensity contest, with both teams vying for a significant position in the early points table. Quetta Gladiators have secured a mixed start to the season, with one win and one loss, while Islamabad United remain winless. The Gladiators’ decision to bat first is likely to be strategic, given the batting-friendly conditions. Islamabad United, on the other hand, will need to address their lack of consistency to avoid further setbacks. The match will also serve as a test for both teams’ ability to adapt to the challenges of the tournament. The playing XI for Quetta Gladiators includes Saud Shakeel as captain, Shamyl Hussain, Bevon Jacobs, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Ben McDermott (wicketkeeper), Tom Curran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq.#gaddafi_stadium #lahore #quetta_gladiators #psl_2026 #islamabad_united
Pakistan Super League 2026 to Be Held Behind Closed Doors; Lahore and Karachi to Host All Matches The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will be played without spectators due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, with all matches scheduled to take place in Lahore or Karachi. The tournament, originally planned to feature six venues, has been reduced to two locations, and the opening ceremony in Lahore has been canceled. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the decision to hold matches without crowds was made to prevent strain on resources amid the fuel crisis caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the tournament would continue as per its original schedule but noted that the absence of fans would persist until the crisis subsides. Naqvi mentioned that while the possibility of allowing crowds in later stages of the tournament remains open, it would depend on the resolution of the conflict in Iran. He estimated that the crisis could last between 10 to 15 days. The PCB has also announced plans to compensate franchise owners for lost revenue and refund tickets purchased by fans. Additionally, Naqvi apologized to cities like Peshawar, which was scheduled to host a match but will now be excluded, and promised to expand the number of venues in future editions of the PSL. The decision to limit matches to Lahore and Karachi was framed as a necessity to conserve resources, as the country faces restrictions on movement due to the fuel shortage. Naqvi highlighted that the PCB would not ask fans to return to stadiums while the crisis continues, stating, “We can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day.” The PSL 2026 will begin on March 26 and conclude with the final on May 3.#karachi #peshawar #pakistan_super_league #mohsin_naqvi #lahore
