Cricket is a religion in South Asia especially in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. The usual gameplay in cricket used to be 50 overs until 2005, however, to keep the increasing younger audience interested, a newer shorter format was introduced of 20 overs.
Based on this T-20 format, PSL aka Pakistan Super League spawned in 2015.
HISTORY of PSL –
PSL was introduced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in September 2015 and the introductory match being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium between Quetta Gladiators, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed and Islamabad United, captained by Misbah ul Haq.
PSL Teams –
The first two seasons of PSL held in the year 2016 and 2017 included five teams namely, Islamabad United (IU), Karachi Kings (KK), Lahore Qalandars (LQ), Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) and Quetta Gladiators (QG). While the later four editions of PLS welcomed the sixth team – Multan Sultans (MS).
PSL 2021 is the sixth leg of the league as the 6 teams prepare to lock horns at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE, starting 9th of June.
TIMELINE –
1. 2015 Formation:
Did you know?
Although PSL was officially announced on September 2015, with Wasim Akram and Rameez Raja as brand ambassadors, the league officially began on 4th February 2016 in the UAE after two previous failed attempts.
2. Pakistan Super League 2016:
Five teams locked horns in the first PSL tournament, namely – Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The first season exhibited a higher percentage of International players, attracting global recognition for the league.
The final of the 2016 Pakistan Super League saw Islamabad United (IU) defeat Quetta Gladiators (QG) by six wickets to win the first title.
Highlights –
Man of the match – Dwayne Smith of IU (Scored 73 runs from 51 balls)
Player of the tournament – Ravi Bopara, Karachi Kings (KK)
Green Cap – Umar Akmal, LQ (335 runs)
Maroon Cap – Andre Russell, IU (16 wickets)
3. Pakistan Super League 2017:
The second leg of PSL was played between five teams.
The final saw Peshawar Zalmi (PZ) winning over Quetta Gladiators (QG) by 58 runs. In an interesting turn of events, the 2017 Pakistan Super League tournament also witnessed spot-fixing incidents that resulted in a ban of 5 years from International cricket for the incriminated Sharjeel and Khalid Latif and Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib for 1yr.
Highlights –
Man of the match – Darren Sammy of PZ
Player of the tournament – Kamran Akmal of PZ
Green Cap – Kamran Akmal of PZ (353 runs)
Maroon Cap – Sohail Khan of KK (16 wickets)
4. Pakistan Super League 2018:
The 2018 season featured six teams when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited bids for the sixth team and as many as 40 national and International entities exhibited interest.
The 2018 Pakistan Super League was held at three different locations.
The group stage took place in UAE while the payoff matches were played in Lahore and finals at National Stadium, Karachi. Fun fact, all the tickets for the PSL final were sold out in half a day.
The finals saw Islamabad United win the title against Peshawar Zalmi by 3 tickets, celebrating their second victory in the last 3 seasons. IU left no stone unturned while taking all the awards namely the Man of the Match, player of the tournament and a spectacular, best bowler award.
Highlights –
Man of the match – Luke Ronchi of IU
Player of the tournament – Luke Ronchi of IU
Green Cap – Luke Ronchi of IU (435 runs)
Maroon Cap – Faheem Ashraf of IU (18 wickets)
5. Pakistan Super League 2019:
The fourth leg of PSL was played from 14th February to 17th March. PCB retired as the owner of Multan Sultans in November 2018 and Ali Khan Tareen of Schon Properties took over the franchise.
For the first time in 2019, four PSL matches were held in Abu Dhabi. The final saw Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets.
Highlights –
Man of the match – Mohammad Hasnain of QG
Player of the tournament – Shane Watson of QG
Green Cap – Shane Watson of QG (430 runs)
Maroon Cap – Hasan Ali of PZ (25 wickets)
6. Pakistan Super League 2020:
The 2020 Pakistan Super League (PSL 2020), kicked off on 20th February and was held entirely in Pakistan for the first time. Although due to the pandemic the playoff was postponed to late March.
Later, PCB announced the dates for the remaining match to be held from November 14. In the finals, Karachi Kings won over Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in the final.
Highlights –
Man of the Match – Babar Azam
Player of the tournament – Babar Azaam
Green Cap – Babar Azam of KK (473 runs)
Maroon Cap – Shaheen Afridi of LQ (17 wickets)
7. Pakistan Super League 2021:
2021 witnessed matches being postponed to June while the opening ceremony was held virtually in Istanbul, Turkey.
According to a recent update, the 6th edition will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, starting from 9th June with the finale on 24th June.
WHAT’S NEXT IN PSL?
Often (Indian Premier League) IPL is compared with PSL (IPL Vs PSL). But did you know? Pakistan and India co-hosted the World Cup in 1996.
The Pakistan Super League, 2021 boasts a spectacular lineup with players like Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal battling it out. Additionally, many talented overseas players, like, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Englishmen – Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan, South Africa’s David Miller.
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