Pakistan Super League
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league contested during February and March of every year by six teams representing six cities of Pakistan. The league was founded on 9 September 2015 with five teams by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Instead of operating as an association of independently owned teams, the league is a single entity in which each franchise is owned and controlled by investors. From 2021, The PSL will have an exclusive window in the ICC Future Tours Programme.[3]
 | |
| Countries |  Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Pakistan Cricket Board |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| First edition | 2016 |
| Latest edition | 2021 |
| Next edition | 2022 |
| Tournament format | Double round robin and playoffs |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Current champion | Multan Sultans (1st title) |
| Most successful | Islamabad United (2 titles) |
| Most runs | Babar Azam (2070)[1] |
| Most wickets | Wahab Riaz (94)[2] |
| TV | List of Broadcasters |
| Website | psl-t20.com |
| Tournaments | |
|---|---|
Each team playing matches in double round robin format; the top four teams with the best record qualify for the playoffs and culminates in the championship game, the PSL Cup Final. The league is based in the Pakistan Cricket Board office in Lahore.
There have currently been six seasons of the PSL. Islamabad United has the 2 titles, being the most successful team of PSL. The current defending champions are Multan Sultans, who won the 2021 season.
History
Establishment
In September 2015, the Pakistan Cricket Board officially announced the launch of the PSL. Former Pakistani national team captains Wasim Akram and Rameez Raja signed up to promote the PSL and become brand ambassadors of the league for three years.[4]
After several years of planning and two previous failed attempts,[5][6] the league officially began on 4 February 2016 in the United Arab Emirates where Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, alongside Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, inaugurated the opening ceremony.[7] The first two seasons included five teams based on the capital cities of Pakistan's provinces and the Federal capital.[8][9] In its first season the PSL had a higher percentage of international players. The league uses a draft system for player recruitment similar to that used in many North American professional sports leagues and as opposed to the auction system used in some other T20 leagues.[10]
The PSL's official logo was launched on 20 September 2015 in a ceremony in Lahore, and was revealed by 3Di.The ceremony was attended by current and retired cricketers, as well as Pakistani celebrities.
The commercial rights to the initial franchises were sold for US$93 million for a span of 10 years in December 2015. The market value of PSL in 2017 was up to US$300 million according to Arif Habib,[11] and has grown significantly in the years since.[12]
Expansion
The possibility of adding a sixth team to the league in 2017,[13] possibly in Azad Kashmir, was discussed, but rejected in May 2016.[14][15] Sethi announced that there would be the sixth team in next season of PSL, a few days after the end of the 2017 PSL. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra also announced that the PSL administration would be approached for the participation of a sixth team in the 2018 PSL.[16][17] Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, also said to have the sixth team from Gilgit-Baltistan. The PCB short-listed five names for sixth team: Faisalabad, FATA, Hyderabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Multan.[18]
The final name of the sixth team for PSL 2018 season was announced on 1 June 2017; Multan Sultans; owned by Schön Properties at $5.2 million annually.[19][20] On 10 November 2018, PCB terminated franchise agreements with Schön Properties, resulting in a new owner being introduced.[21]
Hamaray Heroes
The HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes campaign was introduced in the HBL PSL 2020 and received an overwhelming response as the initiative rewarded prominent Pakistanis like Squash Player Farhan Mehboob, Founder of ACF Animal Rescue Ayesha Chundrigar, Mountain Climber Ali Sadpara and Professional eSports Player Arslan Ash. A total of 32 Hamaray Heroes awards were handed out during the HBL PSL 2020.[22] The HBL PSL 2021, like the previous year, continued recognizing Pakistanis for their achievements till the PCB has postponed the remainder of its premier T20 events aimed the global COVID-19 pandemic. Acclaimed Pakistanis rewarded during HBL PSL 2021 under the banner of HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes were Pakistani footballer Kaleemullah Khan, security researcher Rafay Baloch, karate player Kulsoom Hazara, and mountaineer Mirza Ali Baig among others.[23]
Profits
In May 2016, the PCB announced that the inaugural season of the PSL had yielded profits of US$2.6 million.[24]
Format
The PSL is played in a double round-robin format. Every team plays each other twice and the top four advance to the Playoffs.
The league follows the rules and regulations dictated by the International Cricket Council, although it introduced DRS system in T20s which was later emulated by International Cricket Council as well. In the group stage, two points are awarded for a win, one for a no-result and none for a loss. In the event of tied scores after both teams have faced their quota of overs, a super over is used to determine the match winner. In the group stage teams are ranked on the following criteria:
- Higher number of points
- If equal, better run rate
- If equal, highest number of wins
- If equal, fewest losses
- If still equal, the results of head to head meeting
In any play-off match in which there is no result, a super over is used to determine the winner. If the super over is not possible or the result of the over is a tie, the team which finished in the highest league position at the end of the regular season is deemed the winner of the match.
Teams
According to a PCB press release, around 20 parties showed an interest in buying franchises for the league before the first season.[25] On 18 October 2015 the Pakistan Cricket Board began accepting tenders for franchises with a deadline for bids of 15 November.[26]
According to a statement by the PCB, bid winners would be granted the rights to a franchise for a term of ten years.[27] Interested parties included the ARY Group, Omar Associates, Arif Habib Group, Haier, Mobilink as well as international groups including Leonine Global Sports and the Qatar Lubricants Company (QALCO).[28]
All five franchises for the first season of the league were sold on 3 December 2015, for a total price of US$93 million, after seven bidders presented formal proposals.[29][30]
In April 2017, PCB invited bids for the sixth team and the deadline set for the submission of both the financial and technical proposals was 30 May and as many as 40 national and international parties expressed an interest in buying the sixth franchise.[31]
On 1 June 2017, from five regions short-listed by PCB Multan was bought by Schön Properties for a price of US$5.2 million per year becoming the most expensive team of the PSL.[32] However, on 12 November 2018, its rights were terminated by PCB due to payment issues. PCB invited bids and resold the "6th team" to Ali Tareen consortium after successful bid with US$6.35 million for 7 years on 20 December 2018.
| Team | City/Province | Owner | Home Ground/Venue | Founded | Captain | Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | Islamabad, Capital Territory | Leonine Global Sports (Ali Naqvi & Amna Naqvi) |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Islamabad | 2015[lower-alpha 1] | Shadab Khan |
Azhar Mahmood | |
| Karachi Kings | Karachi, Sindh | ARY Group (Salman Iqbal, CEO) |
National Stadium, Karachi | 2015[lower-alpha 1] | Babar Azam |
 Peter Moores | |
| Lahore Qalandars | Lahore, Punjab | Qatar Lubricants Company (Fawad Rana, MD) |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 2015[lower-alpha 1] | Sohail Akhtar |
Aaqib Javed | |
| Multan Sultans | Multan, Punjab | Ali Khan Tareen & Alamgir Khan Tareen | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan | 2017[lower-alpha 2] 2018[lower-alpha 3] |
Mohammad Rizwan |
 Andy Flower | |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Haier Pakistan (Javed Afridi, CEO) |
Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar | 2015[lower-alpha 1] | Wahab Riaz |
 Darren Sammy | |
| Quetta Gladiators | Quetta, Balochistan | Omar Associates (Nadeem Omar, Director) |
Bugti Stadium, Quetta | 2015[lower-alpha 1] | Sarfaraz Ahmed |
Moin Khan | |
Stadiums
Results
Due to security reasons, the first season of the PSL was played entirely in the United Arab Emirates. The inaugural champions were Islamabad United, who defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final. Peshawar Zalmi were the 2017 PSL champions, beating Quetta Gladiators in Lahore on 5 March 2017. Islamabad United were the 2018 PSL champions, beating defending champions Peshawar Zalmi on 25 March 2018. Quetta Gladiators defeated Peshawar Zalmi to win their first title on 17 March 2019 in Karachi.[33] The current champions are Multan Sultans, who won their first title defeating Peshawar Zalmi on 24 June 2021 in Abu Dhabi.
Season results
| Season | No. of teams | Final | Venue | Player of the series | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Winning margin | Runner-up | ||||
| 2016 Details |
5 | Islamabad United 175/4 (18.4 overs) |
6 wickets Scorecard |
Quetta Gladiators 174/7 (20 overs) |
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Ravi Bopara (Karachi Kings) |
| 2017 Details |
Peshawar Zalmi 148/6 (20 overs) |
58 runs Scorecard |
Quetta Gladiators 90 (16.3 overs) |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi) | |
| 2018 Details |
6 | Islamabad United 154/7 (16.5 overs) |
3 wickets Scorecard |
Peshawar Zalmi 148/9 (20 overs) |
National Stadium, Karachi |  Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United) |
| 2019 Details |
Quetta Gladiators 139/2 (17.5 overs) |
8 wickets Scorecard |
Peshawar Zalmi 138/8 (20 overs) |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators) | ||
| 2020 Details |
Karachi Kings 135/5 (18.4 overs) |
5 wickets Scorecard |
Lahore Qalandars 134/7 (20 overs) |
Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) | ||
| 2021 Details |
Multan Sultans
206/4 (20 overs) |
47 runs Scorecard |
Peshawar Zalmi 159/9 (20 overs) |
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans) | |
Team results
| Season (No. of teams) |
2016 (5) |
2017 (5) |
2018 (6) |
2019 (6) |
2020 (6) |
2021 (6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts(s) Teams |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Islamabad United | W (3rd) | 4th (4th) | W (1st) | 3rd (3rd) | 6th | 3rd (1st) |
| Karachi Kings | 4th (4th) | 3rd (3rd) | 3rd (2nd) | 4th (4th) | W (2nd) | 4th (4th) |
| Lahore Qalandars | 5th | 6th | R (3rd) | 5th | ||
| Multan Sultans | Team did not exist | 5th | 3rd (1st) | W (2nd) | ||
| Peshawar Zalmi | 3rd (1st) | W (1st) | R (3rd) | R (1st) | 4th (4th) | R (3rd) |
| Quetta Gladiators | R (2nd) | 4th (4th) | W (2nd) | 5th | 6th | |
- Notes
- W = Winner;
- R = Runner-up;
- (x) = End of league games table position;
Individual awards
The Hanif Mohammad award and a green cap are awarded to the leading run-scorer. It is an ongoing competition with the leading run-scorer wearing the cap throughout the tournament until the final game, with the eventual winner keeping the cap and receiving the award for the season.[34] The Fazal Mahmood award and a maroon cap are awarded to the leading wicket-taker in the same way[35] whilst the Imtiaz Ahmed award is awarded to the best wicket-keeper. All three awards were introduced in the second PSL season.[36]
Sponsorship
The PSL's initial title sponsorship was awarded to HBL Pakistan for 3 years in December 2015.[37] Sponsorship deals associated with the league including the title sponsorship, are estimated to be worth more than $6 million.[38] HBL later renewed their sponsorship for three more years.[39] In 2021, PCB announced that HBL retains the title sponsorship of the PSL for 4 more years till 2025.[40]
| Title sponsor | Period | Sponsorship amount | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBL |
2016–2018 | US$5.2 Million | [37] |
| 2019–2021 | US$14.3 Million | [39] | |
| 2022–2025 | US$22.2 Million | [40] | |
Broadcast and digital distributions
For the first three seasons (2016–2018) of the league, Sunset and Vine were awarded production rights as official producers, and PTV Sports, Ten Sports and Geo Super were awarded broadcast rights in Pakistan with the PCB selling the global television rights to Tech Front, a UAE group.[41] 4th, 5th and 6th season of the league was broadcast on Geo Super and PTV Sports in Pakistan. PSL sold its global television rights to Blitz Advertising for (2019–2021) period. It is believed to be closed to $36 million dollars, a whooping 358% increase from its previous deal.[42][43]
| Territory | Years | Channels & Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan |
(2016–present) (2016–present) (2022–present) (2016–2018) (2016–present) (2016) (2020) |
PTV Sports Geo Super A Sports Ten Sports Tapmad TV YouTube BSports Pakistan on YouTube |
 Afghanistan |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Lemar TV Sony Six Sony Ten |
 Africa |
(2021–present) | SuperSport |
| Australia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Bahrain |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Bangladesh |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Sony Six Sony Ten T Sports |
 Bhutan |
(2021–present) | Sony Six Sony Ten |
 Brunei |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada |
(2021–present) | Willow TV |
 Cambodia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Caribbean |
(2021–present) | Flow Sports |
| Central Asia | (2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 China |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
| East Asia | (2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Europe |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 France |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Germany |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Hong Kong |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Italy |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 India |
(2021–present) | Sony Six Sony Ten |
 Indonesia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Iran |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Ireland |
(2021–present) | Sky Sports |
 Kenya |
(2021–present) | SuperSport |
 Kuwait |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Laos |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Malaysia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Maldives |
(2021–present) | Sony Six Sony Ten |
 Middle East |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Bein Sports Tapmad TV |
 Nepal |
(2021–present) | Sony Six Sony Ten |
| North Africa |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
| North America | (2021–present) | Willow TV |
 North Asia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
| New Zealand |
(2021–present) | Sky Sport |
 Oman |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Philippines |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Qatar |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Bein Sports Tapmad TV |
 Saudi Arabia |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Singapore |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 South Africa |
(2021–present) | SuperSport |
 South America |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
| South Asia | (2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
| Southeast Asia | (2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Sri Lanka |
(2021–present) | Sony Six Sony Ten |
| Sub-Saharan Africa |
(2021–present) | SuperSport |
 Thailand |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 Turkey |
(2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 United Kingdom |
(2021–present) | Sky Sports |
| United Arab Emirates |
(2021–present) | eLife TV |
 United States |
(2021–present) | Willow TV |
| Western Asia | (2021–present) (2021–present) |
Facebook Tapmad TV |
 West Indies |
(2021–present) | Flow Sports |
| Zimbabwe |
(2021–present) | SuperSport |
| Worldwide Television Rights | (2016–2018) | Tech Front |
| (2019–2021) | Blitz Advertising | |
| (2022–) | Announcing Soon | |
| Worldwide Internet Rights | (2016–2020) | Tech Front (Contract Revoked) |
| (2020) | Pakistan Super League on YouTube | |
| (2021–present) | Facebook[44] | |
| (2021–present) | Tapmad TV |
Advertising rights for the first three years of the league's operation were awarded to the Pakistani company Blitz Advertising.[45]
See also
Notes
- The team was founded in 2015 and made its PSL debut in the 2016 season.
- The team was founded in 2017 and made its PSL debut in the 2018 season. But team's contract was terminated in 2018, after they failed to pay their annual fee of US$5.2 million to PCB.
- The team was founded in 2018 with new owners and with the same name and made its PSL debut in the 2019 season.
References
- "Most runs in PSL". ESPNcricinfo.
- "Most wickets in PSL". ESPNcricinfo.
- "PCB eyes lucrative deals after 'securing' windows for PSL editions". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- "Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja become official ambassadors for PSL". The Express Tribune. 8 September 2015.
- Pakistan Super League set to be moved to UAE Gulf Times, 21 September 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- Rishad Mahmoud (2016) Pakistan Super League: Morale booster or gimmick? Al Jazeera, 4 February 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- "PSL kicks off with colourful ceremony in Dubai". ARY Media. ARY News. ARY Network. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Qasim Nauman (2016) Pakistan Super League: Twenty20 Underdogs Quetta Gladiators Emerge as Favorites in Final, The Wall Street Journal, 23 February 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- "Dubai, Sharjah venues for Pakistan Super League". Cricinfo.
- "Pakistan Super League: Draft pick order decided, logo launched". The Express Tribune. 15 December 2015.
- Faseeh Mangi, Chris Kay (14 March 2017). "Back From Exile, Pakistan's Cricket Push Lures Advertisers". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- Ahmed, Khurshid (29 February 2020). "PSL 2020 spurs business boom at home". Arab News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- PSL to include a sixth team for the second edition, ARY Sports 20 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
- Bilal khan dreams about including Kashmir in PSL ARY Sports 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- PSLs second edition to remain five team event, "The Express Tribune", 18 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- "FATA to participate as sixth team in PSL 3". Samaa TV. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- "FATA name coming up as sixth team in PSL 2018". The Express tribune. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- "PCB shortlists five possible region as 6th team in PSL 3". GEO News.
- "Pakistan Super League gets sixth team". ARY News. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "PCB announces Multan as sixth PSL franchise". Samaa TV. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "PCB terminates franchise agreement with Schon Group for Multan Sultans". Dawn. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- "HBL Pakistan Super League". www.psl-t20.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- "HBL Pakistan Super League". www.psl-t20.com. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- AFP (3 May 2016). "PCB reaps $2.6m profit from Pakistan Super League". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- "PSL promises IPL style Cricket". NDTV Sports. 21 September 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- "PCB invites bids for Pakistan Super League franchises". Daily Pakistan. Ali Zain. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- "PCB initiates bids for Pakistan Super League franchises". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- "Pakistan Super League: Seven companies fight it out to buy franchises". The Express Tribune. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- Nabeel Hashmi. "Pakistan Super League: Seven companies fight it out to buy franchises". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- Umar Farooq (3 December 2015). "PCB sells five PSL teams for $93m". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- "PCB invites bids for sixth PSL team". Pakistan Observer. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- "Multan becomes PSL's sixth franchise as Schon Group buys franchise". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- "PSL Final 2019: Quetta Gladiators clinch maiden PSL title". The News International. 18 March 2019.
- "Leading run scorer will get Green Cap" (Dawn News). Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- "Leading wicket-taker will win the Maroon Cap" (Dawn News). Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- "Pakistan Super League trophy unveiled" (Dunya News). Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- Pakistan Super League PSL Teams, Sponsors, Broadcasting Rights Sold, Total Sported, 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- "Pakistan Super League ropes in HBL bank as title sponsors". gulfnews.com (Gulf News). Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- "HBL renews its commitment to take Pakistan Super League to greater heights". www.PSL-t20.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- "HBL retains title sponsorship of Pakistan Super League till 2025". www.PSL-t20.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- "Karachi attracts highest bid as PSL teams sold for $93 million". Associated Press of Pakistan and Dawn Sport. DAWN. 4 December 2015. p. 1. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- "PSL secures 358% rise for new broadcast deal". ESPNcricinfo.com. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- "Pakistan Super League 2020 Live Streaming and Telecast channel: When and where to watch PSL 2020 in India?". The Sports Rush. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- PSL. "HBL PSL 6 Live On Facebook". Pakistan Cricket Board.
- PSL. "PCB has awarded the Media Advertising Rights for the first three seasons of HBL PSL". Pakistan Cricket Board.
External links
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