• Imran Tahir picked up three wickets as Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 2021 final in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy PSL
    Imran Tahir picked up three wickets as Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 2021 final in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy PSL
  • Peshawar Zalmi celebrate the fall of a Multan Sultans wicket in the PSL final on Thursday, June 24. Courtesy PSL
    Peshawar Zalmi celebrate the fall of a Multan Sultans wicket in the PSL final on Thursday, June 24. Courtesy PSL
  • Mohammed Rizwan gave Multan Sultans a solid start in the PSL 2021 final. Courtesy PSL
    Mohammed Rizwan gave Multan Sultans a solid start in the PSL 2021 final. Courtesy PSL
  • Shan Masood was in good touch for Multan Sultans. Courtesy PSL
    Shan Masood was in good touch for Multan Sultans. Courtesy PSL
  • Peshawar Zalmi's Wahab Riaz, right, struggled for control. Courtesy PSL
    Peshawar Zalmi's Wahab Riaz, right, struggled for control. Courtesy PSL
  • Multan Sultans added 68 for the opening wicket in the PSL 2021 final. Courtesy PSL
    Multan Sultans added 68 for the opening wicket in the PSL 2021 final. Courtesy PSL
  • Multan posted 206-4 with Rilee Rossouw and Sohaib Maqsood hitting fifties.. Courtesy PSL
    Multan posted 206-4 with Rilee Rossouw and Sohaib Maqsood hitting fifties.. Courtesy PSL
  • Rilee Rossouw gives an on-field interview. Courtesy PSL
    Rilee Rossouw gives an on-field interview. Courtesy PSL
  • Multan Sultans celebrate the first Peshawar Zalmi wicket. Courtesy PSL
    Multan Sultans celebrate the first Peshawar Zalmi wicket. Courtesy PSL
  • Imran Khan celebrates after dismissing Kamran Akmal. Courtesy PSL
    Imran Khan celebrates after dismissing Kamran Akmal. Courtesy PSL

Sport

Cricket

PSL 2022: squads, fixtures, health protocols and how to watch matches in UAE

The seventh edition of Pakistan's premier T20 league will be held in Karachi and Lahore

Ajit Vijaykumar

January 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The seventh season of the Pakistan Super League commences on Thursday, with a mixture of optimism and fear of the unknown.

First, the good news. This edition of the PSL will see the ICC cricketer of the year, the T20 and the ODI batsmen of 2021 all competing together.

Last year was an unprecedented success for Pakistan in white-ball cricket and that was reflected in the International Cricket Council's annual awards, where left-arm pacer Shahen Afridi was selected as the best men's player of the year, while captain Babar Azam was picked as the ODI cricketer and wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan the T20 player of the year.

All three will be in action during PSL 2022, which commences on January 27 in Karachi and ends on February 27 in Lahore.

Now for the worrisome bit. The continuing pandemic means there is a high probability of positive cases and even an outbreak. The Pakistan Cricket Board had formed a comprehensive protocol to ensure the PSL is held and completed within the 30 days as any postponement will almost certainly lead to the league's cancellation because the international calendar does not have any other slots to ensure player availability.

Still, expectations are high with the Pakistan board determined to complete the tournament, stating that teams need only 13 players who are Covid negative to compete.

Last year, the PSL was postponed after a coronavirus outbreak and was concluded in Abu Dhabi, with Multan Sultans defeating Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs to lift the title.

Tournament dates and venues

PSL 2022 begins at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday, January 27, with the first 15 matches to be held at the venue. The tournament then moves to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which will hold the remainder of the matches, including the final on February 27.

What are the health and safety guidelines?

It's quite comprehensive. There will be dedicated bio-bubbles with players, support staff, officials, broadcast crew, and all essential members such as hotel staff are separated in a way that any positive case does not immediately spread throughout the league — as had happened in previous tournaments. Teams have 20 players on their roster with an additional pool of players to draw from, in case their first picks are sidelined.

Players will be tested regularly during the tournament. In the event of an outbreak, the tournament will be halted for seven days, the bio-bubbles will be reset and the remaining fixtures completed via double headers.

  • Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was named the ICC men's cricketer of 2021. He became the youngest recipient of the award at 21. AP
    Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was named the ICC men's cricketer of 2021. He became the youngest recipient of the award at 21. AP
  • Shaheen Afridi decimated India's top order during 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Reuters
    Shaheen Afridi decimated India's top order during 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Reuters
  • Pakistan players celebrate with Shaheen Afridi after the dismissal of India's KL Rahul during the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. AP
    Pakistan players celebrate with Shaheen Afridi after the dismissal of India's KL Rahul during the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. AP
  • Shaheen Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia captain Aaron Finch during the T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai. AFP
    Shaheen Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia captain Aaron Finch during the T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai. AFP
  • Shaheen Afridi has become a star in a short period. AP
    Shaheen Afridi has become a star in a short period. AP
  • Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi has emerged as the leading bowler in the world across formats and leagues. AP
    Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi has emerged as the leading bowler in the world across formats and leagues. AP

What's new this season?

There are a few changes on the field. Pakistan captain Babar has been named Karachi Kings' captain, taking over from Imad Wasim who guided them to the 2020 title. Also, veteran star Shahid Afridi will represent Quetta Gladiators in what will be his farewell PSL appearance after representing Multan Sultan last year.

There's more. Fielding sides will be punished for maintaining slow over rates. If they fail to bowl the first ball of the final over of the innings by the scheduled time, one fewer fielder will be permitted outside of the 30-yard circle for the remaining overs of the innings. Also, stipulations regarding number of local and overseas players in a team will be removed in case the available pool of players shrinks due to a virus outbreak.

Can I watch matches in UAE?

Etisalat subscribers can watch the PSL matches this season. Also, viewers can catch the live action online through tapmad TV, who will be streaming the matches.

Squads:

Karachi Kings Babar Azam (c), Amir Yamin, Chris Jordan, Imad Wasim, Joe Clarke, Lewis Gregory, Mohammad Amir, Jordan Thompson, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Nabi, Rohail Nazir, Muhammad Imran, Qasim Akram, Romario Shepherd, Faisal Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sharjeel Khan, Talha Ahsan, Tom Abell, Umaid Asif.

Islamabad United Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Asif Ali, Ather Mehmood, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Azam Khan, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Colin Munro, Marchant De Lange, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Paul Stirling, Mubasir Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Reece Topley, Zahir Khan, Zafar Gohar, Zeeshan Zameer.

Multan Sultans Mohammad Rizwan (c), Abbas Afridi, Amir Azmat, Anwar Ali, Asif Afridi, Blessing Muzarabani, David Willey, Ihsanullah, Imran Khan Snr, Imran Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Odean Smith, Rilee Rossouw, Rizwan Hussain, Rovman Powell, Rumman Raees, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Sohaib Maqsood, Tim David.

Peshawar Zalmi Wahab Riaz (c), Aarish Ali Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Shoaib Malik, Hazratullah Zazai, Saqib Mahmood, Hussain Talat, Ben Cutting, Haider Ali, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Umar, Salman Irshad, Liam Livingstone, Sameen Gul, Sherfane Rutherford, Sirajuddin, Sohail Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Usman Qadir.

Lahore Qalandars Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafiq, Phil Salt, Akif Javed, Dawid Wiese, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Daniyal, Dean Foxcroft, Haris Rauf, Harry Brook, Fakhar Zaman, Imran Randhawa, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Khan, Rashid Khan, Samit Patel, Syed Faridoun, Sohail Akhtar, Zaman Khan, Zeeshan Ashraf.

Quetta Gladiators Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Ben Duckett, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Dan Lawrence, Ghulam Mudassar, Iftikhar Ahmed, James Faulkner, James Vince, Jason Roy, Khurram Shehzad, Muhammad Ashar Qureshi, Naseem Shah, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal.

  • PSL 2021 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: 1. Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) - A model of consistency. Karachi’s title defence might have ended at the first knockout phase, but Babar still made seven half-centuries at an average of 69.25. All photos courtesy of Pakistan Super League
    PSL 2021 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: 1. Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) - A model of consistency. Karachi’s title defence might have ended at the first knockout phase, but Babar still made seven half-centuries at an average of 69.25. All photos courtesy of Pakistan Super League
  • 2. Hazratullah Zazai (Peshawar Zalmi) - To say his arrival has given Peshawar’s title challenge fresh impetus understates the point. Three matchwinning performances in his first four matches has taken them to the final.
    2. Hazratullah Zazai (Peshawar Zalmi) - To say his arrival has given Peshawar’s title challenge fresh impetus understates the point. Three matchwinning performances in his first four matches has taken them to the final.
  • 3. Usman Khawaja (Islamabad United) - Rarely spotted on the franchise circuit outside of Australia, but advertised his wares to potential employers with a fine return in Abu Dhabi, especially via the century he made.
    3. Usman Khawaja (Islamabad United) - Rarely spotted on the franchise circuit outside of Australia, but advertised his wares to potential employers with a fine return in Abu Dhabi, especially via the century he made.
  • 4. Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans) - He has been in belligerent form since arriving in the UAE, and played a key role in the qualifier playoff against Islamabad in blistering heat.
    4. Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans) - He has been in belligerent form since arriving in the UAE, and played a key role in the qualifier playoff against Islamabad in blistering heat.
  • 5. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi) - Will be 40 on his next birthday, yet remains both svelte and influential, despite his build up to this tournament amounting to not much more than a few net sessions at an understated academy near Dubai airport.
    5. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi) - Will be 40 on his next birthday, yet remains both svelte and influential, despite his build up to this tournament amounting to not much more than a few net sessions at an understated academy near Dubai airport.
  • 6. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans) - Justified Multan’s late decision to swap captains, despite Shan Masood guiding them to the top of the table last year, as they reached the final this time round.
    6. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans) - Justified Multan’s late decision to swap captains, despite Shan Masood guiding them to the top of the table last year, as they reached the final this time round.
  • 7. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars) - Harsh that the Afghan great was deprived a place in the knockout stage. Eleven wickets in eight games for Lahore, and an economy rate of 5.46. Standard Rashid Khan fare.
    7. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars) - Harsh that the Afghan great was deprived a place in the knockout stage. Eleven wickets in eight games for Lahore, and an economy rate of 5.46. Standard Rashid Khan fare.
  • 8. Hasan Ali (Islamabad United) - The thriftiest bowler in the side who dominated the league phase, and he nearly earned them a place in the final with his extraordinary batting cameo in the last knockout match.
    8. Hasan Ali (Islamabad United) - The thriftiest bowler in the side who dominated the league phase, and he nearly earned them a place in the final with his extraordinary batting cameo in the last knockout match.
  • 9. Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) - Particularly outstanding once the tournament decamped to UAE, which was maybe no surprise given he has been resident in the country for much of this year.
    9. Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) - Particularly outstanding once the tournament decamped to UAE, which was maybe no surprise given he has been resident in the country for much of this year.
  • 10. Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) - How Lahore managed to miss out on the knockout stage is a mystery given the strength of their bowling. Shaheen took 16 wickets in 10 games.
    10. Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) - How Lahore managed to miss out on the knockout stage is a mystery given the strength of their bowling. Shaheen took 16 wickets in 10 games.
  • 11. Shahnawaz Dahani, right, (Multan Sultans) - Unquestionably the find of the tournament. Good pace, a load of wickets, and a ready smile marked him out as a new star.
    11. Shahnawaz Dahani, right, (Multan Sultans) - Unquestionably the find of the tournament. Good pace, a load of wickets, and a ready smile marked him out as a new star.

Fixtures

Thursday, Jan 27 — 6pm (UAE time): Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Stadium, Karachi

Friday, Jan 28 — 6pm: Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, National Stadium, Karachi

Saturday, Jan 29 — 1pm: Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Karachi; 6pm: Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, Karachi

Sunday, Jan 30 — 1pm: Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Karachi; 6pm: Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, Karachi

Monday, Jan 31 — 6pm: Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Karachi

Tuesday, Feb 1 — 6pm: Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Karachi

Wednesday, Feb 2 — 6pm: Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Karachi

Thursday, Feb 3 — 6pm: Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, Karachi

Friday, Feb 4 — 6pm: Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi

Saturday, Feb 5 — 1pm: Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Karachi; 6pm: Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Karachi

Sunday, Feb 6 — 6pm: Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, Karachi

Monday, Feb 7 — 6pm: Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, Karachi

Thursday, Feb 10 — 6pm: Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Friday, Feb 11 — 6pm: Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Lahore

Saturday, Feb 12 — 6pm: Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Lahore

Sunday, Feb 13 — 1pm: Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Lahore; 6pm: Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Lahore

Monday, Feb 14 — 6pm: Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Lahore

Tuesday, Feb 15 — 6pm: Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Lahore

Wednesday, Feb 16 — 6pm: Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Lahore

Thursday, Feb 17 — 6pm: Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore

Friday, Feb 18 — 2pm: Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Lahore; 7pm: Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Lahore

Saturday, Feb 19 — 6pm: Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Lahore

Sunday, Feb 20 — 1pm: Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Lahore; 6pm: Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Lahore

Monday, Feb 21 — 6pm: Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore

Wednesday, Feb 23 — 6pm: Qualifier, Lahore

Thursday, Feb 24 — 6pm: Eliminator 1, Lahore

Friday, Feb 25 — 6pm: Eliminator 2, Lahore

Sunday, Feb 27 — 6pm: Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

While you're here
The low down

Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films

Director: Namrata Singh Gujral

Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark

Rating: 2/5

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

While you're here
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team

Several girls started playing football at age four

They describe sport as their passion

The girls don’t dwell on their condition

They just say they may need to work a little harder than others

When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters

The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding

Challenge Cup result:

1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults

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Updated: January 26, 2022, 3:31 AM
Pakistan CricketPakistan Super League