Pakistan Super League 2021: All you need to know

The PSL returns for its sixth edition and The Cricketer has all the information you need to know

What is it?

The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League, a T20 competition run by Pakistan Cricket Board.

When is it?

PSL 6 begins on Saturday, February 20 when defending champions Karachi Kings take on Quetta Gladiators at Karachi’s National Stadium. The month-long tournament runs for 34 matches, culminating in the final on Monday, March 22 in Lahore.

Where is it?

Only two venues will be used in PSL 6 to facilitate the operation of bio-bubbles. The National Stadium in Karachi will host the opening 20 fixtures before the competition moves to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the remainder of the group stage, the playoffs and the final.

Fixtures will be played in front of 7,500 fans in Karachi and 5,500 in Lahore after the PCB received permission from the government to open the stadiums at 20% capacity.

Which teams are involved?

There are six teams involved in PSL 6. They are founder members Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, and 2018 addition Multan Sultans.

Islamabad United are the most successful side with two titles (2016 and 2018) while Peshawar Zalmi (2017), Quetta Gladiators (2019) and reigning champions Karachi Kings have won the competition once.

^{Karachi Kings lift the trophy in 2020 after defeating Lahore Qalandars in the final of PSL 5}

What’s the format?

The competition is a double round-robin with two points available for a win, one for no result and none for a defeat. The top two teams progress to the qualifier with the winner earning direct entry to the final. The third and fourth-placed teams contest an eliminator fixture with the winner facing the loser of the qualifier for a spot in the final.

PSL Fixtures

What happened in PSL 5?

Multan Sultans topped the table and were joined by Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi in the playoffs. 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators were knocked out on net run rate, with Islamabad United finishing bottom.

In the playoffs, which were delayed until November 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lahore Qalandars came through two eliminator matches to set up a final against Karachi Kings. Playing in their home stadium, Karachi completed a five-wicket victory to win their first PSL title.  

Who are the overseas players?

Lahore Qalandars secured the services of ICC Men’s T20 Player of the Decade Rashid Khan in January’s PSL draft while Quetta Gladiators bagged veteran West Indian Chris Gayle (available for part of the tournament).

12 English players are spread across the six teams, including Tom Banton (Quetta Gladiators), Joe Denly (Lahore Qalandars), James Vince (Multan Sultans), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi) and Alex Hales (Islamabad United).

PSL Squads

Other notable overseas players include Australian pair Dan Christian (Karachi Kings) and Chris Lynn (Multan Sultans), Afghanistan internationals Mohammad Nabi (Karachi Kings) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Peshawar Zalmi) and South African fast bowler Dale Steyn (Quetta Gladiators). However, Colin Munro (Islamabad United) has withdrawn from the tournament due to the quarantine restrictions in New Zealand.

Overall, 33 overseas players will take part consisting of 12 Englishmen, seven South Africans, five Afghans, one Irishman and four each from Australia and West Indies.

^{Rashid Khan (L), Chris Gayle (C) and Dan Christian (R) are among the international stars in PSL 6}

How can I watch it?

In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year’s tournament.

Fans in Pakistan can watch every match on Pakistan Television while Sony Pictures Network have the rights in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Elsewhere in the world, Sky Sport will televise the tournament in New Zealand while coverage in South Africa and the sub-Saharan region is available on Supersport.

Willow TV have all the action for viewers in the United States and Canada. In the Caribbean, PSL 6 will be available on Flow Sports.

Streaming service Tapmad TV have the rights in Australia, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and the rest of the world with coverage available online and via the app.