The anticipation for the ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has reached fever pitch as the cricketing extravaganza is all set to kick off tomorrow. Two-time champions, Lahore Qalandars, will clash with Islamabad United, also two-time champions, in the opening match at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Opening Ceremony Highlights: The excitement will commence at 6:30 PM PKT with the first-ever opening ceremony at the PCB’s headquarters, Gaddafi Stadium. Spectators and fans worldwide are in for a treat with an array of electrifying performances lined up featuring renowned artists Arif Lohar, Natasha Baig, pop band Noori, and the singers of the PSL 9 anthem song Ali Zafar and Aima Baig. The ceremony will culminate with a dazzling display of fireworks and a mesmerizing laser show, setting the stage for the action-packed tournament ahead.
Match Schedule and Venue Details: The double-header extravaganza will begin with an afternoon match at 2 PM, followed by the highly anticipated evening clash with the first ball set to be bowled at 8 PM PKT. Notably, matches scheduled during Ramadan will commence at 9 PM.
The PSL 9 will span across four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi – with a total of 34 matches to be hosted. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will witness nine thrilling encounters, including five matches featuring the home team Lahore Qalandars. Multan Cricket Stadium will provide the picturesque backdrop for five matches, all of which will showcase Multan Sultans. The league will commence its first leg from 17 to 27 February in Lahore and Multan before transitioning to Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi is set to host nine matches from 2 to 10 March, with Islamabad United featuring prominently in five encounters. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will serve as the venue for 11 matches, culminating in the grand finale on 18 March, where the home side Karachi Kings will strive for glory.
Captains’ Perspectives on PSL 9: The captains of the participating teams have expressed their aspirations and strategies for the upcoming season:
- Shadab Khan (Islamabad United): Aiming to lift the trophy for his team, Shadab Khan emphasizes the importance of standing tall in high-pressure games.
- Shan Masood (Karachi Kings): Leading his hometown team, Masood is focused on building a core group of young players to ensure long-term success for Karachi Kings.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars): Eager for a hat-trick of titles, Afridi vows to lead Lahore Qalandars with the same intensity as previous seasons, backed by a strong fan base.
- Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans): Proud to be part of the world-class league, Rizwan aims to maintain the high standards set by Multan Sultans and hopes for continued support from the passionate Multan crowds.
- Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi): Confident in his team’s abilities, Azam believes Peshawar Zalmi is well-positioned to emerge as champions in the current season.
- Rilee Rossouw (Quetta Gladiators): Expressing his honor to lead Quetta Gladiators, Rossouw sets his sights on winning the tournament and creating a high-performance environment.
Teams’ Squad Overview: The six participating teams have bolstered their squads ahead of the marquee event. Here’s a glimpse of the players:
Islamabad United
Shadab Khan (captain), Alex Hales, Azam Khan, Colin Munro, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Jordan Cox, Matthew Forde, Mohammad Waseem, Naseem Shah, Obed McCoy, Qasim Akram, Rumman Raees, Salman Ali Agha, Shahab Khan and Tymal Mills
Emerging: Hunain Shah, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid Shah
Karachi Kings
Shan Masood (captain), Anwar Ali, Arafat Minhas, Blessing Muzarabani, Daniel Sams, Hassan Ali, James Vince, Kieron Pollard, Leus Du Plooy, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shoaib Malik and Tabraiz Shamsi
Emerging: Fawad Ali, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Rohid, Saad Baig and Sirajuddin
Lahore Qalandars
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti, Dan Lawrence, David Wiese, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Lorcan Tucker, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Rassie van der Dussen, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Fayyaz, Shai Hope, Sikandar Raza and Zaman Khan
Emerging: Jahandad Khan, Syed Faridoun Mahmood and Tayyab Abbas
Multan Sultans
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abbas Afridi, Aftab Ibrahim, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Dawid Malan, Iftikhar Ahmad, Ihsanullah, Johnson Charles, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Olly Stone, Reeza Hendricks, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir and Usman Khan
Emerging: Faisal Akram, Mohammad Shahzad and Yasir Khan
Peshawar Zalmi
Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Arif Yaqoob, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Daniel Mousley, Luke Wood, Mohammad Haris, Paul Walter, Rovman Powell, Saim Ayub, Salman Irshad, Sufyan Muqeem, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Umair Afridi and Waqar Salamkheil
Emerging: Aimal Khan, Haseebullah Khan, Mehran Mumtaz and Mohammad Zeeshan
Quetta Gladiators
Rilee Rossouw (captain), Abrar Ahmad, Bismillah Khan, Jason Roy, Laurie Evans, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Omair bin Yousuf, Sajjad Ali Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Saud Shakeel, Sherfane Rutherford, Sohail Khan, Umar Amin, Usman Qadir, Usman Tariq and Will Smeed
Emerging: Adil Naz and Khawaja Mohammad Nafay
Broadcast and Streaming Details: Fans worldwide can catch all the action live on A Sports, Pakistan’s first HD sports channel, and Ten Sports within Pakistan. For live-streaming, multiple platforms including Snack Video, Tapmad, Tamasha, Mayco, and Begin. Watch will provide coverage in Pakistan.
TransGroup FZE has secured broadcast and live-streaming rights for regions outside Pakistan, sublicensing to various networks including Fox Sports (Australia), Fancode (India), and others to ensure global coverage. With cutting-edge technology including high-definition cameras, Spidercam, DRS, and drone cameras, viewers can expect unparalleled streaming quality and immersive experiences.
As the countdown to PSL 9 draws to a close, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are brimming with excitement, eagerly awaiting the thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments that the tournament promises to deliver. Stay tuned for the ultimate cricketing spectacle!
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