Pakistan has a long history of cricket and has produced several world-class wicketkeepers. Their agility and exceptional glove work, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have made a lasting impression on the game and earned them international fame.
The Sultans of Multan, headed by Mohammad Rizwan, and the Gladiators of Quetta, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, will once again lead their respective sides in the Pakistan Super League.
According to PCB, Rizwan had a fantastic 2021. He became the first hitter in T20I history to score more than 1,000 runs in a calendar year, scoring 1,326 runs at an astonishing average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89.
That year, he struck the most fours and maximums of any international hitter, while also earning his first century and 12 half-centuries. As a consequence of his outstanding performance, he was named PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer and T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2021.
According to PCB, he joined the Sultans’ camp in 2021 and instantly made a name for himself by leading them to their first championship.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has guided Pakistan to series triumphs and the top spot in the ICC T20I Team Rankings. He is the league’s only player to have captained his franchise since the league’s beginning, thanks to his stellar track record with both Pakistan and the Quetta Gladiators. He has the seventh-most runs in the competition (1,189 at 31.28 with a strike rate of 128.26).
The Multan Sultans made their PSL debut in 2018. The Sultans earned a name for themselves as a powerhouse in 2020, the first time a full edition of the tournament was hosted in Pakistan, when they ended the group stage as the top side, with six victories, the most of any team, from eight completed matches, according to PCB.
Rizwan guided the Sultans to their first PSL title last season, leading them to a dramatic final victory over Peshawar Zalmi in Abu Dhabi.
Their results in the previous two editions fell short of the expectations set by their and the league’s followers, and the Sarfaraz-led squad will be keen to reclaim their fortunes when the seventh HBL PSL begins on January 27 in Karachi, it said.
The Multan Sultans and the Quetta Gladiators have met seven times, with the latter winning four. They’ll get together on January 31st and February 18th.
“The PSL has proven to be a fantastic venue for showcasing national potential, and the Quetta Gladiators have been gifted with exceptional young players.” It has been a pleasure to captain the Quetta Gladiators for the past six years. There have been ups and downs, but the squad has kept together through difficult circumstances and every player has supported each other, ” Quetta Gladiators skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed adds.
“The Multan Sultans have been on a run the previous two seasons, but I am certain we will be able to stop them in the PSL 7.” Under Rizwan, who continues to score runs and do miracles for anyone he plays for, they evolved as an aggressive and modern-day cricketing squad. “He is a fantastic addition to Pakistan cricket, and his astronomical 2021 has made every Pakistani proud,” he added.
Meanwhile, Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan stated, “I joined the Sultans’ camp last year and it has been a terrific pleasure to work with such an interesting group of cricketers.” It is a great responsibility to manage a team like the Multan Sultans, but the work that everyone puts in, from the players to the support staff, makes my job easier. I’m excited to do well this season and improve on my form from last year.
“The Quetta Gladiators are a formidable squad that can beat any club.” We have a lot of respect for them and are excited to play them.