Both the Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi have geared up to put on a spectacle in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Thursday night.

While the defending champions have a lot of experience on their side, the newcomers are ready to "give the game their all" said Multan Sultans skipper Shoaib Malik.

"Being captain of the Multan Sultans, I can assure you that we will give our best in the game," Malik said while addressing a crowd of supporters of the team at a dinner last night.

He added: "I do not know what will happen in tomorrow's game, but we will fight to the last ball and give it our best shot."

The Zalmis are also prepared to defend their title and start the tournament on a high.

Young Ibtisam Sheikh, an emerging player from the defending champions, said that by playing three practice matches the team's confidence had received a boost.

"I am happy that a lot of people in Hyderabad [his hometown] will be watching the PSL because of me," Sheikh said.

The young bowler said that he was hopeful he could reenact Shadab Khan's glorious stint in last year's PSL.

"I will hopefully perform well in the match and win the match for my team," the 19-year-old leg-spinner said.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

OVER the last few weeks, there have been several exchanges involving top officials and their Saudi counterparts. At...
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.