Imad, Rizwan and Shadab feature in 44th edition of PCB Podcast - Press Release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board.

Lahore -- February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

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With the HBL PSL 8 now just six days away, the Pakistan Cricket Board today released the 44th edition of the PCB Podcast, which features Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. The PCB Podcast released last week included Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both the podcasts are available here for free viewing, downloading and editorial use.

Imad Wasim, who has played 58 T20Is for Pakistan, will captain 2020 champions Karachi Kings, Mohammad Rizwan will hope to inspire Multan Sultans to their third successive final, while Shadab Khan will attempt to make Islamabad United the most successful HBL PSL franchise by winning the title for the third time.

Rizwan will feature in the opening match of the HBL PSL 8 when his side will take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in Multan on 13 February, Imad will be in action on 14 February when he will go head to head with Babar Azam-captained Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi, while Shadab will walk out for the toss for the first time in 2023 with Imad in Karachi on 16 February.

The three champion cricketers spoke candidly with PCB Digital on wide-ranging cricket-related matters and also previewed the tournament, which will culminate in Lahore on 19 March.

Imad Wasim: "HBL PSL is one of the best leagues in the world, which is very close to our hearts. We wait for this league for 10 months during which we prepare, plan and set goals. Then, we enter into this great event to achieve our collective objectives, help our sides win and this cycle continues.

"Last year, Karachi Kings were hampered with injuries, but for 2023, we have all bases covered with high-quality players who all are match-winners. The most important thing for us is to play T20 the way it should be played, which is with a positive attitude and aggressive intent.

"We will go step-by-step and match-by-match in this tournament with our first target being to secure a place in the play-offs. One of the best things about this HBL PSL is we will have home matches. So, we are aiming to make the best use of our first five matches at home and build the momentum that can carry us into the play-offs.

"This year, every side is equally balanced and it is difficult to predict an outright winner. All sides boast some outstanding talent and they will enter the event with different combinations and strengths. This clearly...