The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled the schedule for the 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). The tournament, set to begin on April 11, will feature 34 matches across four cities, culminating in the final on May 18. Cricket fans can look forward to an action-packed season with thrilling matchups and double-header days.
Tournament to Kick Off in Rawalpindi
The HBL PSL 10 will commence with a high-octane clash between defending champions Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This opening match promises to set the tone for the tournament, with both teams eager to start their campaigns on a winning note. Rawalpindi will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1 on May 13.
Exhibition Match in Peshawar
Before the main tournament begins, an exhibition match will be held on April 8 at Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium. This game aims to bring cricket to passionate fans in the region, with participating teams to be announced soon. The exhibition match highlights PCB’s commitment to promoting cricket in cities with a rich cricketing heritage.
Lahore to Host Key Matches
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will be a central hub for the tournament, hosting 13 matches, including the final and two eliminators. The stadium will open its doors on April 24, with Lahore Qalandars taking on Peshawar Zalmi. Lahore Qalandars, the back-to-back champions of PSL 7 and 8, will aim to continue their dominance in front of their home crowd.
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Karachi and Multan’s Role
Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five matches. Karachi Kings, the winners of PSL 5, will begin their campaign on April 12 against Multan Sultans. Multan Sultans, the runners-up of the previous season, will play their first home match on April 22 against Lahore Qalandars. Both venues are expected to draw large crowds.
Double-Header Days and Labour Day Special
The tournament schedule includes three double-header days, offering fans back-to-back matches. One of these will coincide with Labour Day on May 1, featuring Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators. These double-headers are designed to maximize fan engagement and provide non-stop cricketing action.
Teams and Their Campaigns
Quetta Gladiators, the champions of PSL 4, will play five matches at Gaddafi Stadium, while Peshawar Zalmi, the winners of PSL 2017, will feature in five matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Each team will aim to showcase their best performances, with rivalries like Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings and Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi expected to be major highlights.
CEO’s Excitement for PSL 10
HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer, Salman Naseer, expressed his enthusiasm for the landmark 10th edition. He emphasized the league’s growth over the past decade and its status as a globally recognized cricketing event. Naseer also highlighted the exhibition match in Peshawar as a testament to PCB’s dedication to expanding cricket’s reach across Pakistan.
Full Schedule Highlights
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 8 | Exhibition Match (Teams TBC) | Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar |
| April 11 | Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 12 | Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 12 | Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans | National Bank Stadium, Karachi |
| April 13 | Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 14 | Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 15 | Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars | National Bank Stadium, Karachi |
| April 16 | Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 18 | Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators | National Bank Stadium, Karachi |
| April 19 | Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| April 20 | Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United | National Bank Stadium, Karachi |
| April 21 | Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi | National Bank Stadium, Karachi |
| April 22 | Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| April 23 | Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| April 24 | Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 25 | Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 26 | Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 27 | Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 29 | Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 30 | Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 1 | Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| May 1 | Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 2 | Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 3 | Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 4 | Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 5 | Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| May 7 | Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| May 8 | Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| May 9 | Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| May 10 | Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| May 10 | Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| May 13 | Qualifier 1 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| May 14 | Eliminator 1 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 16 | Eliminator 2 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| May 18 | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Key Notes:
- Double-Headers: April 12, May 1, and May 10.
- Playoffs: Qualifier 1 (May 13), Eliminator 1 (May 14), Eliminator 2 (May 16), and Final (May 18).
- Main Venues: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (11 matches), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (13 matches), National Bank Stadium, Karachi (5 matches), and Multan Cricket Stadium (5 matches).
A Decade of Cricketing Excellence
As HBL PSL enters its 10th edition, it continues to celebrate a decade of cricketing excellence. The league has become a platform for nurturing local talent and entertaining millions of fans worldwide. With a packed schedule, iconic venues, and star-studded teams, PSL 10 promises to be a memorable season for cricket enthusiasts.