Pakistan Super League (PSL) is the domestic men’s T20 cricket league of Pakistan in which six teams participate. The league was founded in 2015 by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to search for and push the cricket talent of Pakistan.
The first season of PSL took place in 2016 and from then onwards PSL is the second most viewed and popular league after the IPL. It started with just 5 teams in Dubai and now it is the 2nd most-watched league globally. It has now become a 6-team league and the venue is shifted to Pakistan.
History and Format
PSL was founded in 2015 by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan legends – Wasim Akram & Ramiz Raja agreed to promote this league and became their brand ambassadors. The 1st season of PSL officially began on 4th February 2016 in UAE. It was inaugurated by the daughter of former Pakistani president, Asif Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, alongside Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. The first 2 seasons included 5 teams and after that 6th team was introduced. The seventh edition of the PSL was hosted by Pakistan.
Currently, 6 six teams participate in the PSL. The double round-robin format is followed. It means each team plays each other twice and the top 4 teams will qualify for the playoffs. The league follows all the rules and regulations of the ICC. In the league stage, 2 points are awarded for a win, 1 point in case of no result, and none if the team loses. If the match is tied then the winner is declared by the super over. In a playoff match if there is no result then the team which finished highest will be declared as the winner.
Teams and Players
- Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (Captain)
Key players:
- Jason Roy
- Wanindu Hasranga
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Captain)
Key Players:
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Shakib Al Hasan
- Wahab Riaz
- Rovman Powell
- Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain)
Key Players:
- David Miller
- Tim David
- Shan Masood
- Adil Rashid
- Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
Key Players:
- Rashid Khan
- Harry Brook
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Karachi Kings: Imad Wasim (Captain)
Key Players:
- Imran Tahir
- Matthew Wade
- Mohammad Amir
- Imran Tahir
- Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Captain)
Key Players:
- Alex Hales
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Asif Ali
- Hasan Ali
Memorable Moments and Records
- The First Super Over
The first-ever Super Over in PSL history was played between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars in PSL 3. Qalandars lost the match.
- Qalandars Play 2nd Super Over in Days
Lahore Qalandars, just after playing the first ever super over of the tournament, days after they were involved in another super over against Karachi Kings. Qalandars won the match.
- Asif Ali Smashes 3 Sixes in PSL Final
In the final of PSL 3 Asif Ali smacked 3 sixes to Hasan Ali to help Islamabad United win their second title.
- David ‘The Match-Winner’ Wiese
In a match between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, Qalandars required 93 runs off 44 balls and David Wiese went to smash 45 runs off 20 balls. 3 runs were required of the last ball and then Wiese smashed a six to help Lahore win.
- The Bat Drop
In PSL 2017 encounter between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United. Former New Zealand all-rounder, Grant Elliott smashed a six when 5 runs were needed of 6 balls. After hitting the six he did the bat drop celebration.
- Respect the Family
In an encounter between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings Shaheen Afridi dismissed the legend Shahid Afridi and didn’t celebrate the wicket. He is now the father-in-law of Shaheen.
- Karachi Dunk’d
In an encounter between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings, Australia’s Ben Dunk created history when he smashed 12 sixes in a single match, the most by any batsman.
He scored unbeaten 99 runs off 40 balls.
- The Middle-Finger Saga
The rivalry started in the CPL where Sohail Tanvir showed the middle finger to Ben Cutting after taking his wicket. However, Ben Cutting took his revenge as he showed a double middle finger to him.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Despite being the newcomer in the T20 franchise league, PSL gained global popularity. In 2020 the matches were shifted to Pakistan and since then it became the 2nd most-viewed league after IPL. Impact on Pakistan Cricket:
- More Sponsorship
The seventh edition of PSL saw around a 200% increase in sponsorships and broadcasting rights from previous tournaments. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) retained the title of main sponsor until 2025.
- Increased viewership
Viewership of the previous PSL tournaments was both from TV and digital but this season many more people watched digitally. Viewership of PSL surpassed 200 million views. This means there were around 16 million views per day.
- Showcase of Talent
Many youngsters showed their talents in the PSL. The league provided a great platform for the young guns as well as for the players who lost their spot on the national side.
Conclusion
PSL is the second-best franchise league in the world in terms of viewership. 6 teams participate in the league. It provides a great platform for the players to show their talent and also has a positive impact on the PCB. South Asian countries like – Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, etc. can watch the PSL on Sony Pictures Network. The league’s highlights are also available on YouTube and Facebook.
