As players and fans gear up for the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League, the Pakistan Cricket Board has added to our excitement by unveiling the list of 11 PSL commentators and 3 presenters for this year’s edition. There are some familiar faces as well as some debutants. Keep on reading and get to know them before the season kick-off tomorrow!
Commentators
1. Nick Knight
Former England cricketer, Nick Knight, is one of the commentators in PSL 7. After 100 smashing one-day international cricket matches, he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2003. PCB confirmed that this will be his PSL commentary debut. We are looking forward to catching Nick off the field and we hope his PSL debut will be a memorable one!
Did You Know?
Knight holds some outstanding records in ODIs and First-Class cricket. In 100 ODIs, he amassed 3,637 runs at an average of 40.41 with five centuries to his name. His First-Class average was further too impressive. In 240 First-Class games, he averaged 44.18 with a highest score of an unbeaten 303.
Cricket Country
2. David Gower
David Gower will be returning to PSL for the second consecutive time. He was a commentator for PSL 6 in the Karachi leg and we are delighted to have him back! Gower is a seasoned commentator and a former captain of the England Cricket Team.
Fun Fact
David Ivon Gower was born on April Fool’s Day 1957 at Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. During the 1991 Ashes series in Australia, David Gower, and his teammate John Morris went on a joy ride in a biplane without informing the England management. Gower, was fined £1000, a penalty that could have been steeper had he released the water bombs he had also prepared. He posed with the plane the following day for the press.
CricTracker
3. Mike Haysman
We have another PSL debutant in the house (or should we say field?). Mike Haysman, a former world-class Australian cricketer and a commentator with over 20 years of experience will be making his PSL debut this year. We are glad PCB has also taken on board commentators who haven’t been a part of PSL before. This may aid PSL in reaching a wider audience internationally.
Did You Know
The mystique about Pakistan has always fascinated me! … Mike Haysman advice to Babar Azam – If the team is not performing at its peak I’d tell them to JAGO – Wakeup! …I’d love the Pakistani fans to understand that although they’ve been let down by a number of cricketing nations … they should put that aside now and bring positive energy (to the game)!
Mike Haysman – PCB
4. Pommie Mbangwa
Pommie Mbangwa is making a return to PSL after his successful commentary spell in last year’s edition. Mbangwa is a Zimbabwean cricket commentator and a former cricketer. According to PCB, he will only be commentating on the matches taking place in Karachi. Welcome back, Pommie!
Did You Know?
Interesting Fact!
Mbangwa’s first wicket was claimed in Pakistan when he got Ijaz Ahmed out caught behind and then later, Wasim Akram. I would describe the feeling as walking, or running on air, and I often refer to it in commentary… I will never forget that (moment), he says. It was unbelievable!
Sunday Mail
5. Danny Morrison
Danny Morrison is a New Zealand-based cricket commentator and a former New Zealand cricketer. He isn’t a first-timer in the world of PSL commentators and we aren’t complaining as he is known for his great sense of humor! Morrison turned to Twitter to show his excitement…and as he said “More “Super League” more action.”
Fun Fact
Danny Morrison is popularly known as ‘The Duckman’ – a nickname he acquired due to the 24 ducks that he acquired in his test career. Morrison was subject to some good-natured ridicule from his teammates. In 1996, a tie full of ducks was manufactured in his honor. Although his batting (or the lack of it) was the butt of many jokes, his bowling skills were not to be jested with. On 25th March 1994 against India at Napier, Morrison picked up the wickets of Kapil Dev, Salil Ankola and Nayan Mongia in three consecutive deliveries,
CrickTracker
6. Bazid Khan
Now we come to our Pakistan commentators! Bazid Khan is a former Pakistani cricketer turned commentator. His sense of humor sets him apart from his contemporary analysts and commentators. He lives, breathes and talks cricket. And it’s not just cricket, he is a huge football fan as well. We wonder if he’s a Ronaldo or Messi fan?
Did you know?
Imran Khan is Bazid Khan’s uncle! Bazid was the third generation in his family to pursue cricket as a career. His father Majid Khan is a former captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Bazid’s grandfather, Jahangir Khan, one of the most respected figures in Pakistan cricket, resigned from the PCB as soon as his son started playing cricket. He thought it was a conflict of interest and would give Majid an unfair advantage if he stays on. The streak of being selfless and fair runs in the blood.
The Nation
Needless to say, Bazid Khan knows the sport inside out! We are looking forward to listening to his insights off the field.
7. Waqar Younis
This man needs no introduction. Waqar Younis is a household name for Pakistan cricket. 90’s cricket fans will nod their heads when we say that he was one of the most admired fast bowlers in the world. He is also a Pakistani cricket coach who has formerly captained the Pakistan cricket team. Hence, it goes without saying that he is well-equipped to analyze the game and his insights are most definitely ones to look out for!
Interesting Fact!
Waqar himself was a sprinter and a javelin-thrower besides participating regularly in the high-jump and pole-vaulting events in his college days. Waqar was nicknamed the ‘Burewala Express’ for his lethal pace. Also known as the banana-swing-bowler because of his unique technique of swinging the ball in the air at very high speed before hitting the ground, he took a hat-trick in 1994-95, playing against New Zealand in an ODI. Playing against the hosts at Buffalo Park, East London, Waqar claimed Chris Harris(bowled), Chris Pringle(bowled) and Richard de Groen(bowled).
Cricket Country
8. Urooj Mumtaz
Urooj Mumtaz is a Pakistani commentator, former Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team Captain.
Pakistan women’s cricket team’s captain, and a dentist! She has also made several TV appearances on sports shows & is currently the chief selector for Pakistan women’s cricket team. She used to play cricket out in the street with her father and siblings and was always encouraged to take it up.
“To become a permanent member of the team I had to be better than most of them.”
Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, speaking on playing in boys’ teams during her development stages.
Urooj has also previously been associated with PSL as a commentator and we are ecstatic to have her back!
9. Sana Mir
Sana Mir is one of the most well-known female cricketers in Pakistan. Having previously served as the captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team, her record is impressive. She was also named the world’s number one ODI bowler. We are looking forward to witnessing her grace and cricket expertise as she takes on the commentating responsibility in this year’s PSL.
“When I started in 2005, people would ask me why I’m doing this, it’s not a women’s game,” she says. “But now when I talk to people they say, ‘We are so proud of the team. We want our daughters to be a part of this team.’ They ask how can they become a part of this team so the mentality and perception has changed.”
Sana Mir
Interesting Fact:
She has been decorated with the Pakistani medal of excellence known as the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, won the People’s Choice Award at the Pakistan Sports Awards; and, was inducted into the ICC Women’s Committee as one of three female players’ representatives. In 2017, she became a member of the Asia 21 Young Leaders network.
Asia Society
“From street cricket to playing on the grounds and moving to stadia donning the Pakistan kit were moments of immense pride. From there, my goals started getting bigger and bigger as I started achieving results on the field.”
Sana Mir
10. Marina Iqbal
Marina Iqbal is a Pakistani commentator and former cricketer. She is also the first female Pakistani commentator to join the ICC panel.
Interesting Fact:
Marina was once trolled for wearing heels on the cricket pitch by cricket journalist Qadir Khwaja, but she had a resounding reply for him!
Marina slammed Qadir’s ‘half-knowledge’ and schooled him for jumping the gun. She shared more pictures from different angles and it became clear that she was wearing flat shoes while on the pitch. Marina switched to heels again during the pre-match discussion.
“Half knowledge can be dangerous Qadir. It’s flats on pitch and heels in pre-match. I am a former Pakistan player, I know the protocols,”
Marina Iqbal
Interestingly, in 2010, Marina Iqbal and her team won gold in the Asian Games in China, a proud moment for Pakistan indeed.
11. Tariq Saeed
Tariq Saeed is a Pakistani commentator and one of the most respected and seasoned Urdu sports commentators in the country. He has been associated with PSL previously as its Urdu commentator and has taken on the same role this year as well. We are happy to know that PSL will be broadcasted in both English and Urdu so everyone in Pakistan can get in on the fun!
“Almost 95 percent of individuals you see linked to cricket off the field are those who wanted to be cricketers once upon a time but couldn’t fulfil their dreams. I’m glad to be one of those.”
Tariq Saeed – Al Jazeera
Interesting Fact:
Saeed was a budding cricketer until he got hit above his eye. “After that incident, I left cricket altogether. I used to get scared of the ball. Every time I’d bat, I would see two of those bowlers running at me,” – Tariq Saeed
Now, he is the voice of Urdu commentary in Pakistan.
Presenters
1. Zainab Abbas
Let’s be honest here, we were waiting for this name all along! Zainab Abbas will be gracing our screens yet again. For those who don’t know, Zainab Abbas is a Pakistani sports presenter and has been associated with renowned sports channels like Dunya News, Ten Sports, Sony, etc. She had also presented for ICC World Cup 2019. We are glad this name is on the list because PSL wouldn’t have felt the same without her!
“As a woman working on TV on the subcontinent, I used to get comments on my clothes, my looks, my knowledge of the sport. Sometimes I might snap back but generally I have blinkers on. You develop a thicker skin.
Zainab Abbas – Guardian
Interesting To Know:
“Focus is the one thing that kept me going even in times of adversity. There was also a time when some of the cricketing legends that I looked up to, refused to give me an interview due to my gender. … I think the world was just not prepared. They were not used to seeing a woman taking the lead in this field that has been helmed and represented by men for so many years,”
Zainab Abbas on Ted Talk
2. Erin Holland
Erin Holland will be accompanying Zainab Abbas this PSL as well! Erin is an Australian-based singer, TV host, dancer, and former Miss World Australia!
Fun Fact:
Erin Holland is Australian cricketer Ben Cutting’s wife. Cutting was picked by team Quetta Qaladiators in PSL 5.
She is also returning to the PSL franchise as a presenter and we couldn’t be more excited!
3. Sikandar Bakht
Lastly, Sikandar Bakht will join Zainab Abbas in hosting pre and post-match shows. Sikandar is an acclaimed cricket commentator and sports anchor.
Fun Fact:
Did you know? Sikandar started off as a radio jockey! He, along with his sister Nadia Naqi hosted many shows together. How cool is that?
Dawn News
There you have it, folks! These are all the commentators and presenters for the seventh edition of PSL.
PSL 7 will kick off tomorrow, January 27th at the National Stadium in Karachi with Atif Aslam and Aima Baig performing Agay Dekh live – the newly launched PSL 7 anthem. Let the game begin!
Which team are you rooting for?
Did you know who was hit by a cricket ball & never played cricket again? Who was fined for being on a plane, Who’s husband is playing in PSL7? Fun facts on the PSL 2022 Commentators & Presenters Panel will have you smiling! Click below to watch!
