PSL Peshawar dedicates team to APS martyrs, students

By Faizan Lakhani

In an attempt to denounce terrorism by promoting sports, the owners of Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Peshawar have announced to dedicate the team to martyrs, students and teachers of Army Public School.

"KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) region has suffered a lot due to terrorism and the attack on Army Public School was biggest human tragedy, so I've decided to dedicate my team for students and martyrs of APS," said Javed Afridi who owns the franchise for Peshawar's team in Pakistan Super League.

Afridi's announcement came three days before the first anniversary of barbaric and inhuman attack on innocent students of Army Public School in Peshawar.

"Every win by PSL Peshawar team will be for martyrs of APS," added Afridi while talking to Geo.

Afridi, who also hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that he picked Peshawar's team – named Peshawar Zalmi – because he wanted to portray a positive image of the region.

"Unfortunately, Peshawar remained in news for some wrong reasons due to terror incidents, which doesn't represent us," Afridi told Geo.tv.

"A visit of recent performances by Peshawar Cricketers would give you an idea about what this region is all about and how much talent KPK has to offer," he added.

"Peshawar has recently won T20 tournaments in Pakistan, Cricketers from KP are playing for Pakistan and are top performers for the team."

"We need to change the perception about Peshawar and KP and I hope that with PSL Peshawar, we'll be able to do so," said Afridi.

PSL’s ‘khpal’ team, a true reflection of KP culture

The logo of “Peshawar Zalmi” is a fusion of traditional Peshawari Pagri (turban) with cricket stumps, a perfect depiction of how people of Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa love cricket.

The logo unveiling ceremony was held at the Army Public school, where coaching staff for the PSL team was also named.

Mohammad Akram, former coach of National Cricket Academy was named the head coach for Peshawar Zalmi. Zimbabwean Andy Flower was named batting consultant and team mentor while Abdul Rehman – the coach of Peshawar region and the man behind recent rise of Peshawar team – was named coach/manager for the team.

“We have the best coaching staff that can shape this team into not only the best club in the country but hopefully one of the top franchises from around the world,” said Javed Afridi.

The inaugural edition of Pakistan Super League will be played from February 4 to February 23 in Sharjah and Dubai.