The eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 has begun with a bang, with cricketers from all over the world demonstrating their skills on the field.
Since the tournament’s thrilling opening ceremony on February 13, 13 matches have been played. While each match has been a nail-biting battle between the playing teams, with cricket fans across the country glued to their television screens, there have been some moments and players who have stood out the most during the fixtures thus far.
1. Azam Khan’s incredible 97 off 42 balls
During the latest match on Friday between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United, batter Azam Khan wowed everyone on the field by scoring a spectacular 97 runs off only 47 balls.
Shy of a century by merely three runs, Azam’s term on the pitch included nine boundaries and eight maximums.
His outstanding performance drew praise not only from fans but also from cricket legend Shahid Afridi.
“Well played Azam Khan boom boom innings, fearless,” he wrote on Twitter.
Well played @MAzamKhan45 boom boom innings, fearless #HBLPSL8
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 24, 2023
2. James Vince’s 20-ball 50
On February 22, during the tense 11th match between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans, Sultans defeated Kings; however, Kings did not go down without a fight.
Vince reached his half-century in only 20 balls, hitting six fours and four maximums to complete the fastest PSL fifty so far.
When the dangerous Vince finally walked off the pitch in the 10th over he had scored 75 runs off just 34 balls.
3. Mohammad Rizwan’s century
The earlier mentioned showdown between the Kings and Sultans was undoubtedly one of the most exciting matches of the tournament thus far.
Both teams displayed exceptional play on multiple occasions. During the game, Sultan, who was put to bat first, set a target of 197 runs for the Kings thanks to a sensational batting display by Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 110 runs off 64 balls.
Rizwan, the game’s first batter, hit 10 boundaries and four maximums while remaining firmly planted on the pitch.
4. Martin Guptill’s ‘unbeaten’ century
On February 18, Gladiators opener Martin Guptill scored the tournament’s first century against the Kings in the sixth match of the season.
Guptill reached his century in the 19th over of the game, when he smacked pacer Andrew Tye for 30 runs.
The New Zealand cricketer scored 117 runs in 67 balls, including 12 fours and five sixes, before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
5. Ihsanullah’s magnificent 5-12 in 4 overs
Sultans pacer Ihsanullah led his side’s bowling from the front in the third match of the tournament, bowling a magnificent spell in the second match of his debut PSL.
Ihsanullah looked unplayable as he took back-to-back wickets to help Sultans roar against Gladiators at home.
In four overs, the right-arm pacer took five wickets for 12 runs.
“Ihsanullah… the real deal,” star presenter Erin Holland tweeted after his stunning performance. Multan Sultans looking for the next big thing in fast bowling…?”
Ihsanullah… the real deal. @MultanSultans finding the next big thing in fast bowling again…? @thePSLt20
— Erin Holland (@erinvholland) February 15, 2023
