Pakistan Super League is back
The UAE leg of the fourth edition promises to thrill fans
Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is now a part of the UAE’s sporting and social calendar, is back to host its fourth edition.
It is a league that has had to face the toughest of challenges of having to host it out of their country and yet won the hearts of every cricket lover around the world.
Reigning champions Islamabad United will clash with Lahore Qalandars at Dubai International Stadium today to set the ball rolling. Action will continue in the UAE until March 5 after which the last eight matches, including the final, will move to Pakistan.
The fans in the UAE made sure that players never felt the league was being held outside Pakistan because they cut across all cricket-loving nations to turn out in large numbers to cheer for the teams.
The stadiums here provided the best of facilities and that made the players as well as the support-staff comfortable.
The players in return gave their best and majority of the matches over the years ended in nail-biting finishes. It is with the hope of wanting to witness edge-of — seat thrillers that fans will throng the stadiums for the fourth edition.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PSL 4?
PSL 4 will be different from the earlier editions as it will be the first time that the league will be held in all three international venues in the UAE with Abu Dhabi set to stage four matches in March.
For the first time, the playoff matches will be held in Pakistan with Karachi and Lahore getting ready to host the matches. Many foreign players have agreed to play in the play offs. The final will be held in Karachi.
JOURNEY OF PSL
The PSL is a league which had to withstand many obstacles — starting with the challenge of hosting in the UAE after foreign players refused to play in the league in Pakistan.
The league was established in 2015 and launched the event in February 2016. Initially, the PSL was made up of only five teams — named after five famous cities of Pakistan. In 2017, a sixth team was named Multan Sultans. Islamabad United won the inaugural edition in 2016 and are
also the defending champions this year. Peshawar Zalmi were crowned 2017 champions.
WHO’S WHO OF T20
This edition of PSL will be worth watching because the cream of Twenty20 stars from around the world will be playing.
The star attraction is AB de Villiers, who will make his debut in the PSL through Lahore Qalandars. Known as ‘Mr 360’ for his ability to hit sixes to any part of the ground, fans are expected to throng the stadium to watch him play. His decision to tour Pakistan has thrilled fans there.
The best of support staff are here, starting from legends of the game such as Wasim Akram for Karachi Kings. Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi, who turns 39 on March 1 is still the darling of the crowds here, especially in Sharjah and will be in action for Multan Sultans.
Babar Azam and Colin Munro, the first- and second ranked players in the ICC T20I rankings, will turn out for Karachi.
Fans in the UAE and Pakistan love Darren Sammy, captain of former champions Peshawar Zalmi, and hence will turn up in large numbers to cheer for him.
Among the foreign players to watch out for are the T20’s most renowned Kieron Pollard (West Indies), Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan (both from England),
with all three turning out for Zalmi.
Shane Watson, the evergreen Australian all-rounder for Quetta Gladiators, consistent England all-rounder Ravi Bopara (Karachi Kings) and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell (Multan) are some of the other marquee names.
The Pakistan players to watch out will be rising pacer Shaheen Afridi, match-winning leg spinner Yasir Shah and Champions Trophy hero Fakhar Zaman for Lahore.