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DUBAI: (Media 92 News) It was the 12th over of Lahore Qalandars innings against Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League. Imad Wasim, the Kings captain, handed the ball to 19-year-old Umer Khan to bowl against the most destructive batsman in the world, AB de Villiers.

It was already a dream come true moment for Umer, after all, he was bowling against AB, the man himself. But it was a fairy tale unreeling slowly before his eyes when he got him out.

“It was my dream to bowl against AB de Villiers, I didn’t only bowl but Allah also helped me to claim his wicket which doubled the joy for me, it’s certainly the greatest moment of my life,” Umer told Geo after the game.

Umer is originally from FATA but his family settled in Taxila where his father repairs punctures on tyres.

Despite financial difficulties, Umer’s father did all he could to help his son achieve his dreams.

“I can’t thank my father enough for everything he has done for me,” the young spinner said, hardly able to hide his beaming smile.

Umer played junior level cricket for FATA and also in Taxila, where he was spotted by former Pakistan Test cricketer Nadeem Khan who brought him to UBL for further training.

LAHORE: With just one month to go for the start of the Pakistan Super League 2019, South African star and former captain AB de Villiers has confirmed he will tour Pakistan for the Lahore Qalandars’ matches scheduled in the cricket-loving nation.

The flamboyant batsman, who will be making his PSL debut for Lahore Qalandars, announced he will feature in back-to-back matches at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in March.

Qalandars will take on defending champions Islamabad United on March 9, and Multan Sultans the following day.

Lahore will also host Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) on March 12, 2019. Karachi’s National Stadium will host a total of five matches: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi on March 7; Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators on March 10; Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 2 on March 13; Eliminator 2 on March 15; and the final on March 17.

De Villiers will also be in action on the opening day of the tournament on February 14 in Dubai, when the Qalandars meet Islamabad United.

“I am delighted to confirm that I will represent Lahore Qalandars in front of our home crowds on 9 and 10 March, during the HBL PSL 2019,” de Villiers, one of the most followed and admired cricketers of the modern era, announced.

“I look forward to revisiting the Gaddafi Stadium and aim to play my part in helping Lahore Qalandars achieve something they have been aspiring for since the inception of this tournament in 2016,” he added.

De Villiers’ only previous visit to Lahore was in 2007. In the drawn Test that October, he had scored 45 and eight not out, but returned later in the same month to score 103 not out, 35 and 17 in the first, second and fifth ODIs, respectively.

“I am fully aware that cricket is like a second religion in Pakistan. I still remember the support and appreciation we received in 2007. Furthermore, I feel I have a role to play in helping international cricket return to Pakistan. These have been some of the motivating factors for me to return to Lahore,” said de Villiers.

The 34-year old, who announced a shock retirement from international cricket last year, will be the sixth South Africa cricketer to visit Lahore in less than 18 months. In September 2017, Faf du Plessis captained the ICC World XI, which also included Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir. Pakistan won the three-T20I series 2-1.

Later that year, Sri Lanka visited Lahore for a T20I, while the Windies played three T20Is in Karachi in April 2018. In May 2015, Zimbabwe had toured Lahore for five international matches.

“I sympathise with the people of Pakistan because they have been cricket-starved for no fault of theirs, but I am optimistic that the days are not too far when international cricket will return to Pakistan and the stadia will once again be packed with crowds,” de Villiers continued.

“Due to prior family commitments, I will only be available till the last group stage game. I want to thank Lahore Qalandars for giving me an opportunity to represent them and I look forward to not only enjoying my time in PSL 2019 but also contributing in making it a stronger brand.”

Lahore Qalandars owner Fawad Rana said, via a press release: “There can’t be a bigger and better news for Pakistan cricket fans and the HBL PSL 2019 on the day we are celebrating ‘one month to go’ that AB de Villiers has confirmed his availability for the two Lahore matches.

“De Villiers is one of the icons of international cricket, who has entertained his fans world-over, not only with his innovative and aggressive batting, but also with the flare, passion and agility that he always carries with him onto the field of play.

“I am certain he will further brighten the Gaddafi Stadium with his amazing talent and skills on 9 and 10 March and this good news is a gift for our Qalandars clan.”

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani welcomed the announcement. “We appreciate the decision of AB de Villiers and look forward to welcoming him to the home of Pakistan cricket. I am sure de Villiers’s appearance will attract new fans, and more eyeballs will follow PSL than ever before.

“I am confident that de Villiers’ decision at the back of his fellow World XI, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and the Windies’ cricketers’ decisions to play in Lahore will encourage other leading cricketers and international sides to visit this cricket-passionate country.

“For the Lahore crowds, it will be a great opportunity to watch this generation’s cricket genius live in action. I am sure they will turn up in great numbers to support de Villiers as well as Lahore Qalandars and their opponents.”

Lahore Qalandars captain Mohammad Hafeez also lauded de Villiers’ decision. “De Villiers is one of the most respected cricketers in the world. He is a proven performer, who has added new dimensions to batting in white-ball cricket.

“Not just me but the entire Lahore Qalandars side will wait eagerly for the unique experience of sharing with him a flight to Lahore and then being in the same team kit in front of what I envisage will be a packed house.

“This will again be an opportunity for the Lahore crowds to show their passion, respect, love and hospitality, and I am confident that AB will take home memories which will bring him back again and again to this beautiful piece of land.”

CENTURION: Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur identified the need for his batsmen to post good totals as a key factor in their three-Test series against South Africa, starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.

“The one thing we do know is that we can get 20 wickets comfortably. Our challenge is to get to 350-400 (runs),” Arthur said in a pre-tour interview.

It is a refrain that could be echoed by Ottis Gibson, his South African counterpart, ahead of a series which pits two strong sets of bowlers against potentially fragile batting line-ups in a country where conditions usually offer bowlers plenty of encouragement.

The bowling strength of both teams is formidable, despite the lack of what had been anticipated as an intriguing match-up of exceptionally accurate seamers between South Africa´s Vernon Philander and Pakistan´s rising star Mohammad Abbas.

Philander has a broken finger, while Abbas is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Abbas did not bowl in Pakistan´s win against a South African Invitation XI last week but Arthur did not rule him out of contention for Test selection.

Even without Abbas, a pace attack of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi, backed by the leg-spin of Yasir Shah, will pose a challenge for the home batsmen.

South Africa will also be without fast bowler Lungi Ngidi because of a long-term knee injury but veteran Dale Steyn, needing just one wicket to become his country´s leading wicket-taker, bowled with good pace and rhythm in a recent Twenty20 tournament, as did fellow spearhead Kagiso Rabada.

Duanne Olivier, who will be South Africa´s third seamer, was the top wicket-taker in the T20 league and had match figures of seven for 54 in a losing cause in a franchise match last week.
Familiar frailty

Pakistan´s batting showed familiar frailty when they twice collapsed in the fourth innings in losing a Test series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates recently.

But Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq all hit centuries in the same series, while most of Pakistan´s top order were in the runs against the Invitation team.

South Africa have some batting problems, exacerbated by the retirement of AB de Villiers.
Pacer Mohammad Abbas is recovering from a shoulder injury

Opening batsmen Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, consistent performers in home wins against India and Australia last season, have yet to find top form this season.

Hashim Amla, 35, may be nearing the end of a distinguished career.

In 10 Tests since his most recent century, against Bangladesh in October 2017, Amla has hit just four fifties and averaged a below-par 23.36.

He was out for a first-ball duck in a franchise match last week, although he made 61 in the second innings.

Captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock have been in reasonable form but Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma did not play in the most recent franchise matches because of back and hamstring strains respectively.
Teams

South Africa (probable): Faf du Plessis (capt), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier

Pakistan (from): Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wkt), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Sundaram Ravi (IND)

TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WIN)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Australian batsman Steve Smith has become the second high profile player to sign for the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Last month, South Africa’s AB de Villiers had announced that he will be participating in the upcoming edition of PSL.

Windies trio of Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are also part of the platinum players list. Bravo was picked by Peshawar Zalmi last year but could not join the team due to an injury.

Moreover, Multan Sultan’s all-rounder Pollard said he is looking forward to playing in the PSL once again.

“PSL is an extremely competitive tournament and I look forward to playing in it,” he said.

Narine, who has been an integral part of the Lahore Qalandars squad, shared his excitement at seeing so many stars sign up for the 2019 edition.
It’s official! AB de Villiers will be part of Pakistan Super League

“I enjoyed my time in the last season,” Narine said, adding, “Next year should be even bigger and better with such an impressive player roster.”

Australian star Chris Lynn, who was ruled out of last year’s tournament for Lahore Qalandars due to an injury, has also signed for the upcoming season of PSL.

Lynn is joined by fellow Australian star Shane Watson who topped the batting charts for Quetta Gladiators last season with 319 runs in 10 matches.

New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Luke Ronchi moves from the Diamond category to Platinum this year due to his prolific form in the last season.

Ronchi was the highest run-scorer for Islamabad United with 435 runs in 11 matches.

“I had a phenomenal run in PSL last year and I can’t wait to get back into action,” said Ronchi.

“I loved the hospitality of the people when we played in Karachi and we managed to create some very special memories by lifting the trophy last year,” he added.

Ronchi’s former New Zealand teammates Brendon McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan also join him on the list.

Afghanistan’s spin sensation Rashid Khan will be looking to play his first edition of the league. He is currently placed on the Quetta Gladiators roster.

While Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera is also in the mix as a Platinum category player. Perera has represented Gladiators in the past.

South African and Karachi Kings batsman Colin Ingram returns to the mix as a Platinum signing on the back of a very successful T20 campaign in England where he scored 430 runs in 11 matches this season.

“Playing with Karachi Kings gave me a great opportunity to interact with some lovely people from Pakistan,” said Ingram.

“The quality of cricket in PSL stood out for me but, more importantly, I am very proud of the fact that I played in Pakistan and experienced what this game means to Pakistani fans,” he added.

Foreign players who were a part of last year’s PSL can be retained, traded or released into the draft pool.

“This is a very exciting mix of top quality foreign players,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani said.

“In the next few days, PSL will continue to announce more foreign player signings in various categories as the excitement grows around what should be an extremely interesting player draft,” he added.

PSL returns to action on February 14, 2019.