The Cricketer looks at the star turn and the eye-catching performances during the opening stanza of the tournament...
It could be argued that Pakistan's T20 captain is the biggest attraction of this competition, given his assent over the last 12 months. The Karachi Kings opener could soon become the one-day international skipper too if recent reports are to be believed.
There was nothing particularly surprising about the expansive nature of his 78 from 56 balls for Kings in their opening game against Peshawar Zalmi, as he dominated early partnerships with Sharjeel Khan and Cameron Delport.
Though he would be run out by the England man, he won the duel with Somerset teammate Tom Banton who on debut for Zalmi scored only 13. Expect that to come up at Taunton next summer.
The most explosive hitter in PSL history might never be able to rewrite the narrative around his career, but he cemented his place in the history books with another domestic T20 hundred.
The 38-year-old now has a trio of three-figure scores in the franchise competition and this was the most punchy of the bunch, coming off 55 balls including 17 boundaries.
The knock came after he hit 43 in Kings' opening game against Zalmi. Like him or loathe him, Akmal has come to the party in this competition in a big way once again.
"YES PLEASE!"
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Few would have predicted that at the half-way stage after Hafeez had gone within two of a memorable century, that he and Lahore Qalandars would end up on the losing side.
A 98 which possessed style and panache in equal measure was punctuated by seven fours and seven maximums as the hosts smashed 182 for 6 from their 20 overs.
Hafeez very much remains part of the international conversation and could yet be a central figure at the World Cup in Australia by which time he will be 40. He even chimed in with a wicket in the chase, getting Colin Munro, but it was somehow not enough.
A truncated winter has meant this is a major few months for Malan against both with the white and red ball. His England place might be gone but he can't afford to wallow in the disappointment.
Three outings for Islamabad United have indicated he has the mental resolve for the task. He hammered 64 in the opening game in a dismissive manner, befitting of an aggrieved dinner guest.
Malan showed himself to be adept at finishing off a chase too, smashing 35 from 21 balls to guide United over the line against Multan Sultans. Though his 22 against Qalandars was slightly stationary it still formed the foundation for a successful chase.
The remarkable journey of Umer Khan – plucked from obscurity and propelled to PSL prominence
The Lancashire man is carving out a really decent career as a 20-over franchise star and another decent campaign will do plenty for his reputation. He enjoyed a fine Big Bash season with bat and ball and has picked up from where he left off in Australia.
Coming in with Zalmi at 68 for 3 he thundered 54 from 29 deliveries (strike-rate: 186.20) to give them hope in the chase. They would eventually fall 11 runs short but the margin would have been far greater if it wasn't for his fearless innings.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation for Quetta Gladiators with some wonderful middle-order batting supercharging their encouraging start to the competition. He mashed 59 from 33 against United with some fearsome blows before underpinning another successful pursuit with 46 against Kings. Having played just one PSL game prior to this season we are about to see a lot more of Azam at this level.
One of only three bowlers to finish with a four-wicket haul during the opening round of matches after delivering the goods against Multan Sultans. It was a near match-winning effort after he took out James Vince, Moeen Ali, Rilee Rossouw, and Sohail Tanvir after having not been introduced until the eighth over. Having been punished in his other two outings, it will be fascinating to see if he can repeat his achievements.
Liam Livingstone is ready to dominate another T20 competition
It was perhaps not the most sensational, probing display from Tahir but it was a critical effort that delivered victory for Sultans in their opening game against Qalanders. The former South African spinner dismissed Mohammad Hafeez and Dane Vilas in successive overs but it was his economy rate (5.25), 12 dots and two boundaries that scooped him the player of the match prize. And a place in this XI.
The teenager twice played central roles in the opening week for United, with bat and ball. He claimed 3-30 against Gladiators, trapping Jason Roy for a duck from the second ball of the innings before getting rid of Ahmed Shehzad and Sohail Khan.
But it was with the other suit that Musa was able to deliver a timely win. Coming in with 20 still needed and only one wicket remaining, he struck 17 from 11 balls to secure the win with one delivery to spare. All after having scored just 10 T20 runs previous to that and been dispatched for 37 from his three overs. A remarkable comeback.
Possesses the best individual figures of the tournament, with his 4-18 spearheading Qalanders' desperate attempts to keep hold of United's coattails. He struck immediately to get rid of Luke Ronchi and looked to have delivered victory as he sent Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, and Amad Butt packing. Had been bowled out by the time Musa pulled off a stunning victory.
Imran Tahir's trademark celebration has been out in force again
The tournament's highest wicket-taker came to the party during the opening game with 4-25 which cut through the United middle-order. Occupying a similar role he backed up that performance against Kings with three more scalps and a run-out of Chadwick Walton to set the Gladiators on their road to victory. Another Pakistan teenage quick to light-up this competition and this is unlikely to be the last we see of him causing havoc.
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