LAHORE: Action at the ninth HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) is nearing as teams continued with their practice here at the LCCA ground on Wednesday.

Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi held their practice sessions in the afternoon, while Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United trained under lights.

Test batter Saud Shakeel, the newly appointed vice-captain of Quetta Gladiators, said he had no pressure of the new role given to him.

“I will try to cash in on all the opportunities I get in my career,” the left-hander told reporters.

The 28-year-old Saud said he did not know the reasons why Sarfaraz Ahmed had been replaced as Gladiators’ skipper with South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw.

“The owner of the team knew the exact reason behind removing Sarfaraz as captain,” Saud said.

“The appointment of Rossouw, who is also an experienced batsman, will help me bring improvement in my game,” he added.

He also said that the inclusion of pacer Mohammad Amir in the team would enable Gladiators to perform better in the PSL.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi director Mohammad Akram said Babar Azam as captain would decide his batting position for the PSL games.

According to Akram, Zalmi had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold their matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi, if not possible at their home venue in Peshawar.

Akram said that a strong Zalmi team comprised prominent international and domestic players.

Qalandars’ pace spearhead Haris Rauf said that his team were in a perfect position to complete a hat-trick of PSL title.

“Qalandars have a huge fans following and every player will try his best not to disappoint them. The target is to win the title for the third consecutive time,” the Pakistan pacer told reporters.

“I always try to learn from my mistakes which is the best way to bring improvement in the game.”

He was all praise for his captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is also the skipper of Pakistan’s T20 team.

“Shaheen is a very cool player and captain and he always backs his players.”

The players of the domestic circuit also had the chance to get a place in the national T20 team by performing well in the PSL, Haris added.

“Therefore, hopefully every player of Qalandars will try his best to show impressive performance.

“My target is only to give match-winning performance in every game,” the 30-year-old paceman emphasised.

Due to packed schedule of the PSL: teams’ training sessions, the commuters in Lahore are causing significant problems due to traffic jams.

First the local administration had to clear the route for the teams to travel from their hotel to the LCCA ground in the afternoon, and then bring other outfits for practice under lights.

Meanwhile, PSL 9’s official song was released. It has been sung by renowned singers Ali Zafar and Aima Baig.

Also on Wednesday, the PCB Board of Governors — which was formed recently —held a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat under chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The BoG meeting gave its approval to the budget of PSL 9.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2024