The seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to kick-off on Thursday (January 27) as defending champions Multan Sultans take on former champions Karachi Kings in the curtain-raiser. The 2020 champions, Karachi Kings will be led by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam while experienced Mohammad Rizwan will take charge of defending champions Multan Sultans.
Venues
A total of 34 matches will be staged in the tournament which will run for the next 32 days. The National Stadium in Karachi will host 15 matches while the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the remaining 19 matches, this includes the four playoffs. The final will be played in Lahore on February 27.
The plans were also in pipeline to stage the tournament in UAE, but the Emirates Cricket Board will organise their own cricket league during the period. Any plans of postponements were also put on hold as the Pakistan team has a tight schedule for the rest of the year.
Teams and Format
A total of six teams; Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators will participate in the tournament, with each team playing one another twice. Once the league stages are over, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs with the top two qualifying for the Qualifier and the remaining two will qualify for Eliminator 1. The winner of Qualifier will make the final while the loser will meet the winner of Eliminator 1 in Eliminator 2. The winner of Eliminator 2 will advance to the final on February 27.
Covid-19 protocols
A pool of about 25 local players will be reserved in isolation; if more than eight players out of 22 from any team test positive for Covid-19, then these can be used in replacement. If the whole league gets struck then it will only be postponed for seven days, after which the remaining matches will be played as double-headers. If it happens in later matches then the winner will instead be announced on playing conditions.
