Last month we got super excited over the finalised squads, this time we have the schedule for the third edition of the Pakistan Super League with us. Despite being only two seasons old, PSL has already become a seasonal sporting festival compelling cricket buffs to cross out dates on the calendar for the countdown – at least idiomatically.
We have another couple of months to go till the show begins with the opening ceremony in Dubai on the 22nd of February. With the addition of the Multan Sultans, perhaps the best franchise name of the lot, we now get to enjoy more matches this season.
Fittingly, it is defending champions Peshawar Zalmi and the Sultans that kick the tournament off in the opening contest.
National Stadium, Karachi
However, the biggest news to come out of the schedule announcement is that Karachi will be hosting the PSL 3 final on the 25th of March, with Lahore hosting the final two playoffs on the 20th of March and the 21st of March.
This would signify international cricket’s return to Karachi as well, with all events so far being held in Lahore. Karachi has already hosted one match in the Ronaldinho and Friends series and will be hosting the hockey World XI next month as well.
So the return of international sports to Pakistan – and not just Lahore – is well and truly underway. And soon, this should spread into other cities as well.
Fans would be hoping Lahore and Karachi go deep, with the two cities hosting the three final matches
The PSL 3 schedule also illustrates that no matches would be held in Abu Dhabi, which is a good move considering the depleting attendance in contests over there. With the pool matches, and the first playoff,being held in Dubai and Sharjah, there should be decent crowds throughout the group matches.
Sharjah especially is almost always full, especially for night matches on the UAE weekends. The location of the stadium in Dubai makes it difficult for many from the Pakistani community to attend the matches regularly, but there should be good numbers on the weekends and indeed when there are major clashes.
For instance, the Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars clashes will always attract crowds, which is perhaps why both of them are slotted as solitary matches and on weekdays (Monday, the 26th of February and Sunday, the 11th of March).
PSL 2 final opening ceremony in Lahore
Another major reason behind the Kings’ following this season would be the transfer of Shahid Afridi from Zalmi, which could dent some of Peshawar’s fans.
While Karachi and Lahore understandably have the most followers, considering they are the two biggest cities of Pakistan, Zalmi’s fans have been the most active in the first two seasons.
The Kings and Qalandars have simultaneously been the most high-profile and the lowest achievers in the first two seasons. Qalandars have managed to finish bottom of the pile in both seasons, while the Kings haven’t gone beyond the playoffs.
Islamabad Unites, season one champions
Perhaps more so than before, the fans would be looking towards the Lahore and Karachi franchises to go deep in the tournament with the two cities hosting the three final matches. Qalandars playing at least one of the two playoffs in Lahore, and Kings playing the final in Karachi, would be the perfect finale.
The Sultans would also be under the spotlight as the newest entry into the league. With Wasim Akram on board, and the likes of Shoaib Malik, Kumar Sangakkara and Kieron Pollard headlining the squad, the Sultans have all the ingredients to make instant impact.
Inaugural champions Islamabad United continue to be scarred by the fallout of last year’s spot-fixing scandal. Zalmi would look to prove that they are a force even without their former talisman Afridi. While two-time runners-up Quetta Gladiators would be looking to go one step further this year.
