PSL 2022 | After Afridi, Wahab Riaz among other stars to test positive for Covid-19

PSL 2022 | Imran Tahir stifles Karachi Kings in opener

Imran Tahir registered figures of 4-0-16-3 in the first match of the Pakistan Super League to stifle Karachi Kings to a below par total against Multan Sultans on Thursday, 27 January. The veteran leg spinner took full advantage of the little grip that he got from the surface and took three key wickets of Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Nabi and the young Tom Lammonby. The wrecker in chief started the downfall of Kings when they were just looking to cut loose with Sharjeel starting to find his range in the middle. A brave Tahir floated the ball up to him, and the greed of Sharjeel became his downfall. The other two wickets were very different from the first one. Tahir got the better of Nabi by beating him with the grip in the pitch and he removed Lammonby by darting in a quick, straight one on the short of length delivery. With Karachi needing some fast runs at the backend of the game, they further lost the wickets of Joe Clarke, and could only score 124 for the loss of five wickets.

Tamim Iqbal distances himself from T20Is

Bangladesh star Tamim Iqbal has sidelined himself for any T20I action for the next six months. Speaking in a press conference, Iqbal said that he has been in talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and he is not keen on returning to the T20I fold at the moment. "There have been discussions about my T20I future," Tamim said. "In the last few days, I have been doing meetings with the BCB president (Nazmul Hassan) and Jalal (Yunus) bhai and Kazi Inam (Ahmed). They wanted me to continue T20Is till the World Cup (this year). I had a different sort of thinking. I will not be considering T20Is for the next six months,” the left handed batter further added. Stating that his full focus will be on the longest format of the game along with the ODIs, the veteran stated that unless the team needed him specifically, he would like to stay away. “My full focus will be on Tests and ODIs. We are preparing for the World Test Championship and qualification for the 2023 World Cup. I will not be thinking about T20Is in the next six months. I hope that those playing will do so well, that the team won't need me in T20Is. But if God forbid the team or cricket board needs me, and I am ready, I will possibly think about it." Iqbal has been an on and off presence for Bangladesh in the recent times battling through back to back injuries. Bangla Tigers have an uphill battle ahead of them in the qualifiers of the 2023 World Cup and with their rebuilding T20I that was drubbed in the World Cup earlier in 2021.

PSL 2022 | Shahid Afridi ruled out of first four matches

Former Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi has been ruled out of Pakistan Super League for at least a week after testing positive for Covid-19. According to ESPNcricinfo, Afridi has been granted special permission to isolate at his home, instead of the designated area allotted by the Pakistan Cricket Board. According to the PCB rules, Afridi can only be inducted back into the Quetta Gladiators side after at least seven days of isolation and returning a negative Covid-19 test. All his close contacts, the ones he has met with for more than 15 minutes in a proximity of less than two meters in the last two days will also be isolated.

Legends League Cricket 2022 | Bruised and battered, India Maharajas seek finale spot in a do-or-die clash

The inaugural season of Legends League Cricket (LLC) has produced some exciting battles. While World Giants and Asia Lions have been top-performers, India Maharajas surprisingly failed to deliver as per the promise.