PSL
Quetta Gladiators with the PSL 2019 trophy. Credit: Twitter

After four successful seasons, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would be back for its fifth season, commencing from 20th of February. Unlike the previous edition in which the tournament took place primarily in UAE with only eight matches being held in Pakistan, the forthcoming season is slated to be hosted entirely by Pakistan.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the upcoming edition would have 34 games played across four international venues. According to the schedule, National Stadium in Karachi will host nine matches and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will stage 14 games. The franchise Multan Sultans will play three games at the Multan Cricket Stadium while Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is scheduled to hold eight fixtures.

Multan Sultans, PCB, PSL
PCB. Image Courtesy: Getty

Defending champions Quetta Gladiators will take on two-time champions Islamabad United in the opening game of the competition at the National Stadium in Karachi. The ground in Karachi is also earmarked to stage the qualifier between the top two sides whereas Gaddafi Stadium would be the host for the two eliminators and the final.

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Ehsan Mani names it as one of their major achievements:

BCCI, IPL, PSL, Ehsan Mani
PCB Chief Ehsan Mani. Photo Credit: Getty Images

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani conveyed that Pakistan hosting the entire edition of PSL is indeed one more significant achievement. He was optimistic about the tournament taking place in the nation after Test cricket returned to Pakistan in late 2019. Mani conceded that having promised to the viewers at the end of the last year’s event and making it come true is an ecstatic feeling.

“After bringing Test cricket back to Pakistan, hosting of the entire HBL Pakistan Super League is our other major achievement. I never had any doubts it was Pakistan’s league and should be played in front of home crowds. We had made this commitment to the people of Pakistan at the end of last year’s event and I am pleased today we have announced the event schedule with four centers to share the 34 event matches between them.” Mani said as quoted by India Today.

The chairman also stated that a total of 425 players from 22 countries had registered themselves for this edition. He named the bifurcation from each country in detail.

“Of these, 39 are from Afghanistan, 12 from Australia, 23 from Bangladesh, 10 from Canada, 109 from England, seven from Hong Kong, six from Ireland, seven from the Netherlands, eight from Nepal, 11 from New Zealand, nine from Oman, five from Scotland, four from Singapore, 27 from South Africa, 39 from Sri Lanka, nine from the UAE, six from the USA, 82 from the West Indies, 9 from Zimbabwe and one each from Bermuda, Kenya and Namibia,” he added further.

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