Latest news with #QuettaGladiators
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First Post
3 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Australian pacer Sean Abbott narrates harrowing escape from Pakistan: 'Quite traumatic to be honest'
Abbott, who represented Quetta Gladiators in the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League, was among the overseas cricketers who boarded a chartered flight from PAF Air Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi hours before it was struck by Indian armed forces. read more Australian pacer Sean Abbott did not return to Pakistan for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League, where he was playing for the Quetta Gladiators, after India and Pakistan agreed to end hostilities last month. Reuters Australian pacer Sean Abbott opened up on his harrowing escape from Pakistan last month after the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League was suspended due to an armed conflict against India. Abbott did not fly back to the country for the remaining matches of the season after the week-long suspension, but insists he would 'love to go back to Pakistan'. Abbott, who represented Quetta Gladiators this PSL season, was among the overseas players and members of the broadcast crew who boarded a chartered flight out of PAF Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi hours before it was struck by the Indian armed forces . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Shocking. I found it quite traumatic to be honest. It was different for everyone. I don't think it really sunk in for a few guys. Once our phones started pinging when we landed in Dubai as to what was happening since we left, it was pretty full on,' Abbott was quoted by as saying ahead of a training session in Barbados, where Australia face West Indies in the first of three Tests starting Wednesday. 'But the PSL itself was a great experience. The locals, I got to experience the Pakistan culture which was quite cool. I haven't really had the chance to do that before. And a lovely bunch of lads, and a pretty good tournament. But not the way I wanted to finish,' added the 33-year-old pacer. 'Hopefully that sort of thing doesn't happen again' Abbott was not among the handful of overseas cricketers, including compatriot and Karachi Kings captain David Warner, returning to Pakistan after New Delhi and Islamabad agreed to a ceasefire following the United States' intervention. The seamer, however, hoped to return to Pakistan someday, though wishing he would not have to encounter such a situation again. 'I'd love to go back to Pakistan. Hopefully that sort of thing doesn't happen again. It's probably not something I want to experience again in terms of what was going when I left. But it was a fun tournament. 'Obviously with all the security reasons, all the teams were based at the same hotel, so lots of friends as part of the overseas contingent so it was good fun,' he added. The four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan took place days after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam which led to the deaths of 26 individuals, a majority of them tourists. India came up with a military response named ' Operation Sindoor ' in which it targeted terror camps in Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was after Pakistan responded with shelling and drone attacks at civilian areas along border towns on the Indian side that New Delhi escalated their military response, targeting the country's radar and air defence systems before destroying air bases belonging to the Pakistan Air Force. The four-day conflict had also put the 18th season of the Indian Premier League, which was eventually won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on a four-day pause.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Australia quick Sean Abbott on the ‘trauma' of Pakistan escape, and the real Sam Konstas
Sean Abbott has detailed the trauma of his close shave from conflict in Pakistan but insists he is keen to return to the nation. The Australian paceman has meanwhile shed light on the dichotomy of Sam Konstas, describing the batting tyro as a 'hooligan' but also outlining his down-to-earth side. Abbott was a late call-up to the Aussie Test squad for the tour of the Caribbean after fellow quick Brendan Doggett was ruled out through injury. The 33-year-old has not played since the suspension of the Pakistan Super League last month. Abbott had been playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the competition but was forced to flee the country alongside a host of other international players when tensions between India and Pakistan boiled over. Abbott was among the Aussie players who had been on a flight that departed the Nur Khan airport only a few hours before the same military base was targeted by Indian forces. Speaking before Australian training on Saturday in Barbados, Abbott said he had been shaken by the experience. 'Shocking. I found it quite traumatic to be honest. It was different for everyone. I don't think it really sunk in for a few guys. Once our phones started pinging when we landed in Dubai as to what was happening since we left, it was pretty full on,' Abbott said. 'But the PSL itself was a great experience. The locals, I got to experience the Pakistan culture which was quite cool. I haven't really had the chance to do that before. And a lovely bunch of lads, and a pretty good tournament. But not the way I wanted to finish.' While some Aussies returned to the PSL when it resumed later in May – as happened with the Indian Premier League – Abbott stayed away. He has not however ruled a line through going back to Pakistan. 'I'd love to go back to Pakistan. Hopefully that sort of thing doesn't happen again. It's probably not something I want to experience again in terms of what was going when I left. But it was a fun tournament,' Abbott said. 'Obviously with all the security reasons, all the teams were based at the same hotel, so lots of friends as part of the overseas contingent so it was good fun.' A semi-regular in Australian white-ball teams in recent years, Abbott has also been around the mark for Test selection but remains without a baggy green. With Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland all in the squad for the three Test series starting at Kensington Oval on Thursday morning (AEST), Abbott concedes he will need circumstances to conspire in his favour if he is to break through for a Test on this tour. 'I haven't really had the chance to have much of a chat (with selectors), but obviously the four guys that have been playing have been playing some pretty unbelievable cricket,' Abbott said. 'So pretty firm pecking order with those four up top. But obviously the West Indies may present some different conditions. Hopefully an opportunity there comes up. But obviously I'd say it's probably going to be more an opportunity through injury or trying to rest a few guys. Then again the conditions might suit playing two spinners.' One man locked in for the first Test is Abbott's NSW teammate Konstas, who will return to the XI for Australia's first match of the new World Test Championship cycle. While brashness may have been a feature of Konstas' brief international career to date, Abbott said there was a softer side to the youngster. 'Sammy's a hooligan,' Abbott said. 'I feel like I'm seeing his face everywhere at the minute, across social media. He's certainly burst onto the scene. 'But the thing that stood out for me with Sammy was after the Test series with India last year, we were out on the ground and he came up to me and asked me if those were my parents, standing a few metres away … he went over and chatted to them for about 30 or 40 minutes. 'I got to see what he was really about.'
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Black Cap Kyle Jamieson key figure in Punjab Kings heading into IPL final
Punjab Kings' Kyle Jamieson, 2025. Photo: SHAMMI MEHRA / AFP Black Caps bowler Kyle Jamieson got the wicket of Virat Kohli the last time they met, can he do it again in the IPL final? Jamieson has become a key figure in Punjab Kings' run to the Indian Premier League final. The Kings will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Tuesday's final in Ahmedabad with both teams chasing their first titles. Jamieson was plagued with back injuries in recent years, but returned to international duty last summer and took career-best T20I figures of three wickets for eight runs in a nine wicket win over Pakistan in Christchurch in March. He was picked up by Quetta Gladiators to play in the Pakistan Super League, but only played a couple of games before the PSL and the IPL were paused because of the unrest between Pakistan and India. The 30-year-old was one of a number of New Zealanders who headed home from Pakistan, but instead of returning to the Gladiators, he took up a short term deal in India as an injury replacement for fellow Kiwi Lockie Ferguson at Punjab Kings. He didn't play Punjab's first two games after the break but played the last three, including Monday's qualifier which got them into the grand final. In that match he took one for 30 from his four overs in a five wicket win over the Mumbai Indians. He is now the last New Zealander standing in the IPL. Punjab have made the final for the first time since 2014, they're still chasing their first title, just like Royal Challengers Bangaluru. Royal Challengers have been beaten in three finals, the last in 2016. Their star batsman Virat Kohli has held most trophies, but not the IPL. He's been with the franchise since the inaugural tournament in 2008. Bengaluru won all seven away games in the group stage this year and beat Punjab in the first qualifier last week. Jamieson did get the wicket of Kohli in that game. Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last year, has led from the front and is Punjab's top scorer this season. He produced a captain's knock of 78 not out to help Punjab chase down a tricky target set by powerhouse Mumbai in the qualifier. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has produced the highest scores in group play in the league this season and the batsmen are expected to put pressure on the bowlers once again. There is the possibility of some rain before the final, but there is a reserve day. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
'I want to win World Cup for Pak'
Hasan Ali claimed a five-wicket haul during the first T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday. Photo. AFP Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali on Thursday expressed his strong desire to help Pakistan win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, calling every match an opportunity to prove himself after a tough battle with injury and rehabilitation. Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board's podcast, Hasan reflected on his journey back to the national side and the emotional weight of returning to form. "If you ask me, I want to play for Pakistan in the World Cup and win it for my country. For me, every match is now an opportunity, and I will give my 100 percent," he said. The 30-year-old made a stunning comeback on Wednesday in the first T20I against Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, taking a five-wicket haul and becoming only the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat in T20Is. Hasan emphasised that while a player's performance can fluctuate, consistent effort is non-negotiable. "Performance may vary, but your effort on the field should always be visible. At the end of the day, I want to leave the field with the satisfaction that I gave my all," he said. Reflecting on his injury and the rehab phase, Hasan said the journey back was filled with challenges. "Coming back from injury is never easy. There is a unique pressure to it. I am grateful and proud that I managed to get fit again. A lot of hard work went into it, and I am finally seeing the results," Hasan said. He described his return to the Pakistan team as a dream come true and reaffirmed his determination to perform at the highest level. "It feels like a dream has come true. I am very excited and committed to performing well for the team. There is no substitute for hard work," he concluded. Nawaz wants to win Pakistan's aggressive batter Hasan Nawaz on Thursday expressed his strong determination to deliver top performances for the national team. He revealed that he has now been assigned a middle-order role, which he is fully committed to fulfilling. Hasan played a blistering innings of 44 runs off just 22 balls, including four sixes and two fours, in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday - a knock that played a key role in Pakistan's victory. The 22-year-old also impressed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 while playing for Quetta Gladiators, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer. Hasan amassed 399 runs in the tournament, including one century and three half-centuries. Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) podcast, Hasan said that although he has primarily opened the batting throughout his career, he is now ready to adapt to his new responsibility in the middle order. "I have always been an opener. I did not know I could perform this well in the middle order too. But now that I have been given the role, I will try my best to fulfill it," he said. Hasan also shared that he never succumbs to pressure - rather, he thrives under it. "Whether it's domestic cricket or the PSL, I have never felt pressure. I actually play better under pressure, and that is why my performance remains strong." Expressing his ambitions, Hasan said he aims to play and win as many matches as possible for Pakistan. He also dreams of being part of a World Cup-winning squad. "My goal is to play and win more matches for Pakistan. My dream is to be part of the team whenever Pakistan wins a major trophy," he concluded.
India.com
28-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Pakistan is begging for money but spending like billionaire: Star cricketer gifted golden iPhone due to..., his name is...
Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) In these collection of pictures, why star cricketer is getting golden iPhones in PSL 2025 when Pakistan has been begging for money around the world. Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Lahore Qalandars won PSL 2025 title with a win over Quetta Gladiators in the final in Lahore on Sunday. Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza travelled around to help Lahore Qalandars win the final. Raza travelled from England to Pakistan via Dubai within one day to play the final. Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Sikandar Raza scored 22 off 7 balls in PSL 2025 to help Lahore Qalandars chase down 202 to win with one ball to spare. Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Sikandar Raza was gifted a golden iPhone by Lahore Qalandars after PSL 2025 final. Pakistan has been begging nations for money as well as the World Bank. Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Lahore Qalandars is owned by businessman Fawad Rana. He is the managing director of Doha-based QALCO. He and his team Lahore Qalandar introduced PDP (Player Development Program) that discovered players like Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Salman Irshad, Danyal Ahmed and Muhammad Naeem Image credit: X (Formerly Twitter) Lahore Qalandars had also gifted golden iPhone to their captain Shaheen Afridi earlier in the PSL 2025 season this year. Pakistan Cricket Board are saving money by not implementing DRS in PSL 2025 and Pakistan-Bangladesh series.
