Ahead of the fourth edition of the PSL, The Cricketer has all the important information you need to properly follow what promises to be a stellar competition...
The Pakistan Super League is Pakistan's domestic franchise 20-overs-a-side tournament, this is the fourth edition of the competition which was first held in 2016.
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, February 14 when the defending champions Islamabad United take on the Lahore Qalandars.
The playoffs are scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 12 with the final set to take place on Sunday, March 17.
PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE 2019 SCHEDULE
The majority of the 34 matches in the competition, like previous editions, will be hosted in the UAE, with matches being held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Though there were ideas for the entire tournament to held in Pakistan, the PCB agreed to host the last eight matches of the tournament in Pakistan at Lahore and Karachi, with the final taking place in Karachi.
The National Stadium in Karachi
The PSL follows the standard T20 format, with bowlers allotted a maximum of four overs each. In each innings the first six overs constitute a powerplay with no more than two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
For any no balls bowled, the batting team will be rewarded with two runs, as well as a free hit for any no-ball that isn’t called for being a short-pitched delivery that passes over head-height of the batsman.
There are six teams in the tournament:
Lahore Qalandars
Multan Sultans
Quetta Gladiators
Karachi Kings
Peshawar Zalmi
Islamabad United
The involvement of a team known as the Multan Sultans was only confirmed in December 2018 when the new owners of the franchise opted to retain the name.
PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE 2019 SQUADS
The favourites have got to be two-time winners and current champions Islamabad United.
They have never failed to make the playoffs and have kept a hold of the likes of New Zealand's Luke Ronchi and Faheem Ashraf, who were instrumental in their 2018 success.
They have also added former England Test cricketer Ian Bell to their ranks, who has the ability to make any side better.
Ian Bell will be playing for Islamabad United
The big news for the 2019 PSL is the involvement of South African great AB de Villiers who will be playing for the Lahore Qalandars.
His involvement not only increases the profile of the tournament but should also make the Qalandars far more competitive. They have failed to make the playoffs in any of the last three tournaments.
Apart from the edition of de Villiers, West Indies big-hitter Andre Russell was signed by the Multan Sultans as a replacement for Steve Smith who suffered an elbow injury playing for the Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League.
We will also see perennial T20 tournament winner Dwayne Bravo, who will be playing for the Quetta Gladiators.
To watch the PSL live, viewers in the UK will need a subscription to the Hum TV Network.
The tournament will be shown live on DSport in India, Gazi TV in Bangladesh and Geo Super & PTV Sports in Pakistan.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE T20 PLAYER INDEX
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Posted by dean bardy on 15/02/2020 at 16:58
What tv channel is the super league on I live in the uk
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