tar all-rounder Shahid Afridi will represent Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi in an exhibition match against Quetta Gladiators at Quetta’s Bugti Stadium on February 5. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in collaboration with the Balochistan government, opted to host an exhibition match between the two Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams in a build-up to the upcoming eighth edition.

According to the details, Zalmi’s newly-appointed captain Babar Azam will be joined by star all-rounder Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Haris, Danish Aziz and Saim Ayub. Whereas, the Gladiators’ side will feature skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain.

Notably, the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi had announced to host the PSL 8 matches in Quetta’s Bugti Stadium, subject to clearance from law enforcement agencies. However, Sethi then announced that Quetta’s Bugti Stadium could not get time to be fully prepared to host PSL matches but the PCB will arrange a couple of exhibition matches in the city.

Consequently, the Gladiators will now be in action in front of their home crowd for the first time on February 5, which is observed as Kashmir Day in the country. It is pertinent to mention that the upcoming eighth edition of PSL will embark on February 13 with defending champions Lahore Qalandars taking on former champions Multan Sultans in the curtain-raiser. The final of the marquee event will take place on March 19 in Lahore.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP