The craze for cricket in Pakistan has once again reached its peak as the stage is set for Pakistan Super League season 5. Preparations are nearing completion and the foreign cricketers are gradually landing in Pakistan to participate in the glitzy T20 tournament. PSL season 5 will commence on February 20.
The enthusiasm for PSL has gripped the nation and people have started finding different ways to show their support to their favorite team. Debates have started on social media on who will rule PSL season 5. Cricket lovers have also started purchasing T-shirts of their favorite teams. Big LCDs have been installed in major places in Pakistan to watch PSL in a friendly environment.
So here is everything you need to know about Pakistan Super League.
A Short History
Pakistan Super League is an international T20 cricket league founded on September 9, 2015, in Lahore. The first season of this phenomenal league was started on February 4, 2016, in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was played entirely in UAE due to security issues.
The first PSL was comprised of five teams that are: Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United and now comprises six after the inclusion of Multan Sultans. The owners of the teams are Javed Afridi (Peshawar), Nadeem Omar (Quetta), Salman Iqbal (Karachi), Rana Fawad (Lahore), Ali Naqvi (Islamabad) and Ali Tareen (Current owner of Multan).
This T20 league runs between February and March with each team playing matches in a double round-robin format and the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
The first season champions were Islamabad United. Peshawar Zalmi clinched the second PSL season. Islamabad once again became champion in the third season and the current champions are Quetta Gladiators.
PSL season 5
The Pakistan Super League season 5 is different from the other editions as this year all matches of the new season will be held in Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 14, 2019, assured the masses that the entire PSL will be held in Pakistan.
This is a welcoming sign proving that the security situation of the country has been improved and now Pakistan is a safe destination to play cricket. The tournament will be an immense boost to Pakistan’s economy and tourism.
The matches are scheduled to be played in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan. The opening ceremony will be held at Karachi on February 20 and the final will be played in Lahore.
‘Tayyar Hain’ is the official anthem for the PSL 5. It is sung by Ali Azmat, Haroon, Asim Azhar, and Arif Lohar.
PSL 5 Teams
Most of the players have been retained by their respective teams with many more foreign cricketers showing interest in playing the league.
Foreign cricketers which include Colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Dawid Malan, Luke Ronchi, and Phil Salt are now included in the Islamabad United Team. Dale Steyn is also participating in this year’s PSL in the team of Islamabad. It will be the first time Steyn will play PSL. Shadab Khan is the captain of Islamabad this year.
Alex Hales, Cameron Delport, Fawad Ahmed, Chris Jordan, and Mitch McClenaghan are the foreign players of Karachi Kings. Imad Wasim is captaining the Karachi side.
Foreign Players of Lahore Qalandars are Ben Duck, Chris Lynn, Samit Patel, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dane Villas, and David Wiese. Sohail Akhter will be captaining Lahore this year.
Moeen Ali, Fabian Allen, Ravi Bopara, Wayne Madsen, Rilee Rossouw, Imran Tahir, and James Vince will participate in this year’s PSL for Multan Sultans. Shan Masood is decided as the captain for the Multan side.
Darren Sammy, Tom Banton, Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Dawson, Lewis Gregory, Liam Livingstone, and Kieron Pollard are the foreign players for Peshawar Zalmi this year.
Foreign Players for Quetta Gladiators are Ben Cutting, Tymal Mills, Jason Roy, Keemo Paul, and Shane Watson. Sarfraz Ahmed remained captain for Quetta.
There is no doubt that the PSL will give a significant boost to the economy and more importantly it provides an opportunity for an entertainment starved nation to see their favorite players in action. The entire nation should get behind the tournament and show their passim for cricket.
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