Peshawar Zalmi have received a significant boost as star opening batter Saim Ayub has been declared fit to participate in the upcoming 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL 10), which is set to begin on April 11, 2025.
Ayub, who had been sidelined due to an ankle injury, completed a month-long rehabilitation program in London before returning to Pakistan to celebrate Eid with his family.
A month ago, the left-handed batter began his recovery phase by exercising in the gym, including balancing drills such as single-leg squats, tightrope walks, and single-leg jumps.
The injury, which Ayub sustained during the Test series against South Africa in early 2024, led to his absence from international cricket, ruling him out for more than six weeks.
As a result, he was not included in Pakistan's squad for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 or the recently concluded New Zealand tour. The latest update confirms that Ayub, along with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, will join the Peshawar Zalmi squad today, marking the second day of their training session ahead of the tournament.
The highly anticipated PSL 10 will kick off on Friday, April 11, 2025, with defending champions Islamabad United facing two-time winners Lahore Qalandars in the opening match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Peshawar Zalmi will begin their campaign on Saturday, April 12, against Quetta Gladiators at the same venue. It is worth mentioning here that Zalmi on Sunday began their preparations ahead of the tournament.
The team underwent intense training and net sessions to boost their morale and confidence for the upcoming mega event. Both international and local players picked by Zalmi were seen training in batting and bowling sessions.
Meanwhile, Afghan cricketer Najibullah Zadran has also joined the squad and will be seen in action for the Yellow Storm.
Multan Sultan's Tareen slams PCB's "rental model" for PSL
Ali Tareen, the owner of the former Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Multan Sultans, has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) franchise retention and rental model.
In an interview, Tareen targeted both the PCB and the PSL management, revealing that all PSL franchises are currently operating under a "rental model," where team owners do not have real ownership of their franchises.
He explained, "We pay a rental fee to keep the franchises under our control every year. If we don't pay, we don't have any ownership rights. Unlike the Indian Premier League (IPL), there are no opportunities for foreign investment either."
Tareen also raised concerns regarding the addition of new teams to PSL, stating that the PCB has not yet presented a clear plan for the 11th edition of the league, particularly regarding the inclusion of eight teams. He warned that if the revenue-sharing model isn't properly structured, it could create confusion.
He added, "IPL owners have the freedom to sell their teams to anyone they want, but the board only considers how much money it can raise and how it will manage the team. We don't have such flexibility." Tareen criticized the current management of PSL, calling it unserious in its approach. He pointed out that franchise owners like himself do not have long-term control over their teams. He emphasized that before adding new teams to the league, there needs to be a clear policy in place; otherwise, the future of the league could be at risk.
In contrast, the PCB has announced plans to add two new teams for the 11th edition of the PSL. While claims have surfaced that potential buyers for these teams have already been found, the names of the teams and details about ownership will be announced at an appropriate time.
The 10th edition of the PSL will begin on Friday, April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on two-time winners Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The tournament will feature six teams and a total of 34 matches from April 11 to May 18. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 matches, including the two Eliminators and the grand final. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including the first Qualifier on May 13. Karachi's National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five matches.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ