The second edition of Pakistan’s premier cricketing event i.e. Pakistan Super League will be officially kicking off tonight in Dubai Sports City Stadium. The matches will be played across 3 grounds including Sharjah and Dubai. However, the final of the mega event is supposed to be played in Lahore (subject to security clearance) on 5th March 2017.
About Pakistan Super League
Pakistan Super League is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan which comprises of 5 member clubs. Headquartered in Lahore, the PSL is widely considered as the premier professional cricket league in Pakistan. The matches will be held from 9th February to 5th March, 2017. The first edition of PSL was a massive success when Islamabad United emerged as the winners of the tournament under the captainship of Misbah-ul-Haq.
Before the opening match tonight between defending champions Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, a colorful opening ceremony will formally kick-off the tournament which carries a prize purse of $1 million. Jamaican singer Shaggy will be the star attraction of the opening ceremony, along with Pakistan’s own super star Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy and some other performers. Fahad Mustafa will be hosting the spectacular event.
Similar to the first edition of the PSL, 5 teams will be participating this season as well. Following is the brief about each team:
Islamabad United
Led by Misbah-ul-Haq, Islamabad United is coming to this season as defending champions. They managed to come out victorious in the last season after an ordinary start to the season. However, this time they are walking into with one major change, with Andre Russell serving a year-long ban for ‘whereabouts rule’ doping violations.
Squad
Pakistani: Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Amad Butt, Saeed Ajmal, Muhammed Sami, Muhammed Irfan, Asif Ali, Rumman Raees, Imran Khalid, Hussan Talat, Shadab Khan and Zohaib Khan
Overseas: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Sam Billings, Samuel Badree, Steven Finn, Dwayne Smith and Ben Duckett
Coach: Dean Jones
Number of T20 matches played by the squad: 1901 (2nd least)
Average age by squad: 30 years (oldest)
Roster
The schedule of Islamabad United is as following:
9th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Dubai
11th Feb – vs Lahore – 16:30 PST – Dubai
15th Feb – vs Quetta – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
17th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
18th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
20th Feb – vs Lahore – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
24th Feb – vs Quetta – 21:00 PST – Dubai
26th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Dubai
United by the Numbers (2016)
Batting average: 24.95 (2nd best)
Run rate: 7.27 (average)
Bowling average: 24.88 (2nd best)
Economy rate: 7.15 (best)
Overs bowled by spinners: 37% (2nd worst)
Official Anthem
Karachi Kings
During the first season, Shoaib Malik led Karachi Kings and the team managed to secure the 4th position in the tournament just above Lahore Qalandars. They have made a massive trade by securing World’s Boss Chris Gayle into their squad. Moreover, they have also announced new captain for this season. He is an elegant batsman, brilliant skipper and an excellent all-round cricketer. He is none other than Sri Lankan legend, Kumar Sangakkara.
Squad
Pakistani: Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Muhammed Amir, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shahzaib Hassan, Saifullah Bangash, Khurram Manzoor, Kashif Bhatti, Hasan Mohsin, Usama Mir and Amad Alam
Overseas: Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Ravi Bopara, Kieron Pollard, Ryan McLaren and Mahela Jayawardene
Coach: Mickey Arthur
Number of T20 matches played by the squad: 2224 (2nd most)
Average age by squad: 29 years (average)
Roster
The schedule of Karachi Kings is as following:
10th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Dubai
11th Feb – vs Quetta – 21:00 PST – Dubai
16th Feb – vs Lahore – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
17th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
19th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
23rd Feb – vs Quetta – 21:00 PST – Dubai
25th Feb – vs Lahore – 16:30 PST – Dubai
26th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Dubai
Kings by the Numbers (2016)
Batting average: 19.21 (worst)
Run rate: 6.82 (worst)
Bowling average: 31.30 (2nd worst)
Economy rate: 7.46 (2nd worst)
Overs bowled by spinners: 44% (2nd best)
Official Anthem
Lahore Qalandars
They had a forgettable season under the leadership of Azhar Ali. Even though they had the services of Chris Gayle but he failed to meet expectations. Moreover, their strike bowlers i.e. Mustafizur Rehman and Yasir Shah were also unable since they got injured at the eleventh hour. This time around, they are well-equipped as they have recruited superstar Brendon McCullum. In addition, he is also named as the captain of the team.
Squad
Pakistani: Umar Akmal, Saif Badar, Muhammed Rizwan, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Shah, Ghulam Mudassir, Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Zafar Gohar, Bilawal Bhatti, Usman Qadir and Muhammed Irfan
Overseas: Brendon McCullum, Jason Roy, Cameron Delport, Sunil Narine, James Franklin, Chris Green and Grant Elliot
Coach: Paddy Upton
Number of T20 matches played by the squad: 1806 (least)
Average age by squad: 27 years (youngest)
Roster
The schedule of Lahore Qalandars is as following:
10th Feb – vs Quetta – 16:30 PST – Dubai
11th Feb – vs Islamabad – 16:30 PST – Dubai
12th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Dubai
16th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
18th Feb – vs Quetta – 16:30 PST – Sharjah
20th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
24th Feb – vs Peshawar – 16:30 PST – Dubai
25th Feb – vs Karachi – 16:30 PST – Dubai
Qalandars by the Numbers (2016)
Batting average: 29.63 (best)
Run rate: 7.58 (best)
Bowling average: 31.970 (worst)
Economy rate: 8.50 (worst)
Overs bowled by spinners: 41% (average)
Official Anthem
Peshawar Zalmi
Boom Boom Shahid Afridi led Peshawar Zalmi in the first season. However, he has asked West Indian icon Darren Sammy to lead the team this time around. The team managed to grab 3rd position in the first edition of Pakistan Super League. On paper, they have the strongest team in this season with the likes of Afridi, Hafeez, Sammy, Wahab, Junaid, Morgan and Samuels.
Squad
Pakistani: Muhammed Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Haris Sohail, Sohaib Maqsood, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Shahid Afridi, Muhammed Asghar, Imran Khan Jr., Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Muhammed Irfan Khan and Umair Masood
Overseas: Marlon Samuels, Eoin Morgan, Darren Sammy, Chris Jordan, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Dawid Malan. (Tillakaratne Dilshan and Samit Patel are stand-by players for Tamim and Shakib)
Coach: Muhammed Akram
Number of T20 matches played by the squad: 2619 (most)
Average age by squad: 30 years (joint oldest)
Roster
The schedule of Peshawar Zalmi is as following:
9th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Dubai
10th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Dubai
12th Feb – vs Lahore – 21:00 PST – Dubai
17th Feb – vs Quetta – 16:30 PST – Sharjah
18th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
19th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
24th Feb – vs Lahore – 16:30 PST – Dubai
25th Feb – vs Quetta – 21:00 PST – Dubai
Zalmi by the Numbers (2016)
Batting average: 24.33 (average)
Run rate: 7.03 (2nd worst)
Bowling average: 23.67 (best)
Economy rate: 7.20 (2nd best)
Overs bowled by spinners: 36% (worst)
Official Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UcRP3uVcf4
Quetta Gladiators
They were the underdogs of the first season under the leadership and mentorship of Sarfraz Ahmed and Sir Vivian Richards respectively. Even in the second edition of Pakistan Super League, the hype is much lesser especially when it comes to Gladiators. Even though there are some big names like KP, Wright, Sarfraz, Shehzad, yet they are not given any chance. They have managed to bring Tymal Mills on board who is a terrific fast bowler from England.
Squad
Pakistani: Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Muhammed Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Zulfiqar Babar, Hasan Khan, Asad Shafiq, Saad Nasim, Umar Amin, Noor Wali, Bismillah Khan, Mir Hamza
Overseas: Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills, Mahmudullah Riad, Thisara Perera, Nathan McCullum and Muhammed Nabi
Coach: Moin Khan
Number of T20 matches played by the squad: 1929 (average)
Average age by squad: 2 years (2nd youngest)
Roster
The schedule of Quetta Gladiators is as following:
10th Feb – vs Lahore – 16:30 PST – Dubai
11th Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Dubai
15th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Sharjah
17th Feb – vs Peshawar – 16:30 PST – Sharjah
18th Feb – vs Lahore – 16:30 PST – Sharjah
23rd Feb – vs Karachi – 21:00 PST – Dubai
24th Feb – vs Islamabad – 21:00 PST – Dubai
25th Feb – vs Peshawar – 21:00 PST – Dubai
Gladiators by the Numbers (2016)
Batting average: 21.25 (2nd worst)
Run rate: 7.45 (2nd best)
Bowling average: 25.60 (average)
Economy rate: 7.42 (average)
Overs bowled by spinners: 54% (best)
Official Anthem
PSL Broadcasting TV Rights
It doesn’t matter if you are residing in Turkey or Somalia, you will still be able to watch Pakistan Super League. However, some countries will not be having live telecast on TV. In that case, a user will have to turn to YouTube to subscribe to the official channel of PSL or can live stream match through Cricketgateway.
At present, PTV, Geo Sports and Ten Sports are the three official broadcasting TV partners for showing all cricket matches played in Pakistan. Anyone who is unable to watch the PSL on TV can log in to CricketGateway.com to watch it online.
Are you all pumped for Pakistan Super League then? Which team are you rooting for? Let us know in the comment section!
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