The second Pakistan Super League begins Thursday in Dubai when defending champions Islamabad United take on Peshawar Zaimi.
Click or swipe through for team-by-team guides of the tournament, which takes place all over the UAE before the final held in Lahore. | More info
Last season
• Winners: Islamabad United
• Runners-up: Quetta Gladiators
Final table
1 Peshawar Zalmi
2 Quetta Gladiators
3 Islamabad United
4 Karachi Kings
5 Lahore Qalandars
Opening round fixtures (Full fixtures here)
At the Dubai International Stadium
Thursday
• 8pm, Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United
Friday
• 3.30pm, Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators
• 8pm, Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi
• Tickets available at www.q-tickets.com/PSL/
Prices range from Dh30 general admission to Dh250 for platinum tickets.
Click or swipe through for more
Islamabad United
Last year: Champions, third in the table
What has changed?
Well, at least they have had a practice match this time. They beat the UAE on Tuesday, and they hope to be better prepared than last year, when they started slowly.
It is not how you start, though, it is how you finish. “I suppose it is all very well when you win,” Dean Jones, the coach, said of the defending champions.
“We won our last five in a row, had our momentum going and planned it well, but we were under pressure at the start.”
Andre Russell, the West Indian who was the heartbeat of the team last season, will be a conspicuous absentee while he serves a one-year suspension for a doping-code violation.
Key man: Sharjeel Khan
The opener hit 19 sixes in 11 matches in last year’s competition, scoring at a strike rate of 149, and forced his way back into the Pakistan team as a result.
Young star: Shadab Khan
An 18-year-old leg spinner who was Pakistan’s leading wicket taker in the Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh last year.
Karachi Kings
Last year: Fourth
What has changed?
Leadership was Karachi’s major failing last season. Shoaib Malik seemed an odd choice for captain, and he gave it up before the end of a skittish opening campaign.
They have moved to remedy that problem by recruiting two of history’s finest, the Sri Lankan double act Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Sangakkara, who started in the rival Masters Champions League last year before joining Quetta Gladiators, arrives after an indifferent Big Bash League in Australia.
Key man: Ravi Bopara
The Kings are not short of batting firepower, with the likes of Sangakkara, Jaywardene and Chris Gayle arriving. However, Bopara, whose international achievements are modest in comparison to those other greats, was the Karachi kingpin last time around.
Young star: Babar Azam
It has been a revelatory six months for the 22-year-old batsman, who was undistinguished with Islamabad United in the first PSL. He scored three successive hundreds for Pakistan in ODIs in the UAE at the end of 2016, and averages 116 in T20 internationals.
Peshawar Zalmi
Last year: First in the table, beaten in the play-offs
What has changed?
Shahid Afridi, who is now finally without international cricket after more than 20 years of service, has handed over the captaincy reins to Darren Sammy.
While Afridi is idolised in Pakistan, and the darling of the crowds in Dubai and Sharjah too, Sammy has excellent captaincy pedigree.
The only player to have captained in two winning World T20 campaigns, the West Indian proved massively popular in the 2016 PSL.
Key man: Eoin Morgan
Back in form, after controversially skipping England’s series in Bangladesh, with scores of 40, 17, 51, 43 and 102 in India. And he likes UAE, too. His highest first-class score, 209 not out, came against the national team in Abu Dhabi while he still played for Ireland.
Young star: Hasan Ali
Only played three matches last year, but the canny young seamer, who turned 23 on Tuesday, has since stepped up for the Pakistan national team. He has shown he can be a nerveless death bowler.
Quetta Gladiators
Last year: Runners up, second in the table
What has changed?
Quetta lacked express pace last year. Their leading bowlers were either spinners — Mohammed Nawaz, Zulfiqar Babar — or medium-pacers — Grant Elliott, Anwar Ali.
How they have addressed that failing. In Tymal Mills, their new recruit from England, they have recruited potentially one of the quickest bowlers in the world.
Key man: Ahmed Shahzad
Currently on the outside looking in to the national team, the opener could relaunch his Pakistan career if he has a productive PSL. Top scored for Quetta last season, when he even scored 75 more runs than his celebrated batting colleague Kevin Pietersen.
Young star: Mohammed Nawaz
The embodiment of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ideal for the PSL. It was set up to help give young, talented players a platform to advertise their talents. Left-handed all-rounder Nawaz took his chance, and was touring with the national team by the end of the year.
Lahore Qalandars
Last year: Last place
What has changed?
Last season could not have gone much worse, as they won just two matches and finished bottom of the table.
A root-and-branch revamp immediately took place. In came Aaqib Javed as the Qalandars director, returning home after serving as UAE coach for four years.
Aaqib then staged a talent hunt that reportedly attracted over 100,000 hopefuls. His biggest find might have been the most obvious one, though, as he recruited Brendon McCullum to be his captain.
Key man: Brendon McCullum
Amid the chaos of the trophy unveiling earlier this week, when microphones failed, supporters ambushed the press conference wanting selfies, and the bowels of the Dubai International Stadium were generally bedlam, McCullum was effortlessly cool. We are lucky to have him here.
Young star: Zafar Gohar
Qalandars’ leading wicket-taker last season, despite not playing all the matches. The left-arm spinner, who turned 22 on February 1, will hope to use the PSL as a route back into international contention, having not played for Pakistan since his debut in Sharjah in 2015.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
High profile Al Shabab attacks
- 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
- 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
- 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
- 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
- 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
- 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
