Pakistan Super League
What Is The PSL?
The PSL, also known as the Pakistan Super League, is Pakistan’s franchise based T20 tournament. It is contested by six city based franchise teams.
When Is The PSL played?
The PSL takes place in February and March each year. The Pakistan Super League is one of the largest cricketing leagues, especially within South East Asia, competing alongside the Indian Premier League.
History Of The PSL
The PSL cricket league first took place in the UAE in 2016, this initial tournament had five teams with it expanding to six the year after. Its second final in 2017 was played in Pakistan but convincing overseas stars that the country was safe to stage cricket was an issue, but over the time Pakistan Super League has helped re-establish Pakistan as an International cricket venue. By 2020 it was felt the whole PSL tournament could now be played in Pakistan. The most successful teams in the Pakistan Super League are Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United who have both lifted the PSL trophy on two occasions.
Top Run Scorer In PSL History
Pakistan national cricket team star batter Babar Azam has hit 2,935 PSL runs to date, more than any other player within the Pakistan Super League to date.
Top Wicket Taker In PSL History
Pakistan international Left arm quick bowler Wahab Riaz has the most PSL wickets, 113.
Memorable Games In The PSL
The 2023 final of the PSL provided fans with a thriller between home team Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. Batting first Qalandars looked to be struggling to get up to a competitive score with middle order wickets leaving them on 112/5 with less than six overs remaining. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was the man to provide much needed impetus hitting five sixes in a 15 ball 44. Abdullah Shafique held things together with a 40 ball 65 giving them 200 to defend. The Sultans made a rapid start losing their first wicket on 3.3 overs with score on 43, and at 105 for 1 with half the overs remaining they looked on course to lift the trophy. The dismissal of Rilee Rossouw by star Afghanistan national cricket team spinner Rashid Khan for 52 proved a turning point. Afridi chipped in the crucial wickets of Kieron Pollard and Tim David but the game went to the wire but Afridi held his nerve with them needing 4 to win off the last ball completing a run out to see his team home by just one run. Afridi was named player of the match after adding 4 wickets to his quickfire 44 with the bat. This proved to be one of the best all-round performances the Pakistan Super League had seen.
Also in the 2023 season of the PSL, Rawalpindi witnessed an extraordinary game of T20 cricket between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators. Batting first Sultans innings will be remembered for an innings of sheer brutality by Usman Khan. Amazingly when he was dismissed for 120 only half of the 20 overs had elapsed, all sorts of records would have surely tumbled had he continued but he had to settle for walking off with the fastest ever PSL century under his belt (36 balls) by the time his innings ended after 43 deliveries he’d hit 12 fours and 9 sixes. Gladiators made a real game of chasing 263 falling just 9 runs short, but this Pakistan Super League match will be remembered for Khan’s fireworks.
Similar Competitions To The PSL
The IPL, the Big Bash League and the SA20 League are also franchise T20 tournaments similar to the PSL. Those interested in the Pakistan Super League may also want to check out those sections.
