LPL 2022: PCB denies NOC to Mohammad Hasnain

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly denied NOC to pacer Mohammad Hasnain to represent Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League 2022 which commenced today. The 22-year-old was part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad but didn’t feature in any of the matches. The Pakistan management wants to groom Hasnain for the future and thus, denied him for the ongoing LPL.

According to reports, the PCB wants Hasnain to play in the Pakistan Cup, which is slated to begin in Karachi on December 10.  In the meantime, the two-time finalists, Gladiators have roped in veteran Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz as Hasnain’s replacement. The Kusal Mendis-led side didn’t waste much time as the 37-year-old featured in their opening match of the season against Jaffna Kings and picked two wickets for 23 runs in four overs.

Other than Riaz, there are seven other Pakistan cricketers who will compete in the third edition of the Lanka Premier League. Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, and Anwar Ali will represent the Gladiators while Haider Ali and Ahmed Daniyal will play for the Dambulla Aura. Shoaib Malik, on the other hand, will continue his journey with the defending champions Jaffna Kings.

Jaffna Kings defeated Galle Gladiators by 24 runs to win their first match

The reigning champions began their season in style as they beat Galle Gladiators by 24 runs in the first match of the season. Batting first, the Thisara Perera-led side posted 137 runs in 19.5 overs as Shoaib Malik and Dunith Wellalage gave the side much-needed stability in the middle overs. The Gladiators were impeccable with the ball as five of their players picked two wickets each.

However, while batting, the Gladiators fell like a house of cards. Skipper Kusal Mendis stood tall with his half-century (51 off 43) but none of the other batters could help much as the team could post only 113 runs on board.