HBL PSL to start on Feb 17; Lahore gets opener, Karachi to host final

LAHORE: The ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) will start here and end in Karachi.

The schedule of the franchise T20 tournament was released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday, finally ending speculations over the starting date, which has been set for Feb. 17.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will take on two-time winners Islamabad United in the opener here at the Gaddafi Stadium, which will host nine matches, as many as Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will do.

Earlier, the PCB had the schedule to start the event from Feb. 8, but since the date has been marked for the long due general elections, the board decided to delay it by nine days after consultation with the caretaker government.

Five matches have been reserved for Multan, while Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will stage 11, including the playoffs — the Qualifier and the two Eliminators — and the Mar. 18 final.

It will be the third time the coastal metropolis will hold the title encounter after hosting it in the 2018 and 2019 editions.

“The decision to host the marquee event across these cities is a testament to our commitment to bring top-notch cricket to fans across the country,” the PCB’s interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf was quoted as saying in the board’s press release.

“We believe that hosting matches in these venues not only adds to the excitement for fans but also promotes cricket at the grassroots level.

“As we gear up for this spectacular event, we look forward to witnessing thrilling action and creating unforgettable moments for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.”

Over the past two to three years, the PCB had been mulling over the possibility of holding matches in Peshawar as well as in Quetta. But prevailing security issues and apparent lack of coordination with cities’ local governments have kept the longstanding ambition from materialising.

The board had organised an exhibition match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi at the former’s home ground, the Bugti Stadium, and a good number of fans had thronged into the venue, demonstrating the Balochistan capital’s love for cricket.

Four of the six franchises — Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalanadars, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United — will be play five matches each at their respective home grounds.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi will play four matches in Rawalpindi, Quetta Gladiators will play three matches each in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, while they will play one match at the Multan Cricket Stadium against home side Sultans on Feb. 25.

The marquee clashes between Qalandars and Kings are set for Feb. 24 and Mar. 9 at the Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium respectively.

Like the previous edition, the forthcoming PSL season will take place in two legs with Multan and Lahore hosting 14 matches between them from Feb. 17-27. The action will then move to Rawalpindi and Karachi, where 16 matches will be played from Feb 28 to March 12 before the latter hosts the playoffs and the finale.

Schedule:

Feb 17: Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Lahore

Feb 18: Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore; Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan

Feb 19: Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Lahore

Feb 20: Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan

Feb 21: Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Lahore; Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan

Feb 22: Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

Feb 23: Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan

Feb 24: Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Lahore

Feb 25: Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan; Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore

Feb 26: Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Lahore

Feb 27: Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Lahore