The National Stadium Karachi is set for the HBL Pakistan Super League 7 to commence today. Defending champions Multan Sultans will face off 2020 champions Karachi Kings following a curtain-raiser opening ceremony.
Babar Azam will lead Karachi Kings. He made the record for most T20I wins as captain in a calendar year with 20 in 2021. Mohammad Rizwan, the first-ever batter to score more than 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year, will lead Multan Sultans.
Babar Azam: “I am very excited to be leading Karachi Kings this season. This is the first instance that I will be captaining a side in the HBL PSL. And I am looking forward to it.
“The first match of the tournament always has a lot of eyeballs. And Multan Sultans can prove to be tough opposition. I am sure the fans will get to see a thrilling contest.
“Peter Moores is a seasoned coach and I have had fruitful discussions with him. Karachi Kings will display good, competitive cricket this season.”
Mohammad Rizwan: “We have all the potential to defend our HBL PSL title and we will be taking the field tomorrow with that mindset. This season will present us with new challenges and we will have to plan accordingly.
“Babar Azam is a wonderful batter and captain, and his leadership will certainly have a good impact on Karachi Kings. I am hopeful that the HBL PSL 7 will kick off with a great contest between the two sides.”
NCOC Guidelines for PSL 7
As per the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) directive, the seating capacity has been reduced to 25 percent for all matches in Karachi, while a decision on the number of spectators in Lahore is to be taken in due course. The health and safety protocols for this edition is available here
Pakistan Super League 7 Matches Schedule
On the 2nd matchday on Friday, Quetta Gladiators will play Peshawar Zalmi with the match starting at 2 pm PKT, while the third matchday on Saturday will serve the fans a double-header with Multan Sultans playing Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings taking on Quetta Gladiators.
Lahore Qalandars, captained by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has had a stratospheric rise in international cricket since his debut in 2018, will hope the change in leadership leads to a change in their fortunes and they secure the glittering trophy.
Islamabad United is led by Shadab Khan. Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is the only player to lead his side in all the editions, will continue to command his Gladiators from Quetta, while Peshawar Zalmi will be led by Wahab Riaz.
The HBL PSL has established itself as one of the top T20 leagues around the world and it has featured the most sought-after cricketers from around the world. The competitiveness of this league and the quality of action has served up-and-coming Pakistan cricketers opportunities to learn, enhance their skills and learn the nitty-gritty of the game.
National Stadium will host the first 15 matches till 7 February, before the action moves to Lahore, where Gaddafi Stadium, the home of Pakistan cricket, will stage the last 19 games from 10-27 February.
History of Pakistan Super Legue
The competitive nature of the league has seen five of the six sides getting crowned champions since the league’s inception in 2016 with Islamabad United, the inaugural champions, being the only team to bag the title twice.
Peshawar Zalmi won the title in 2017 when they beat Quetta Gladiators in the final in Lahore in what was the first HBL PSL match on Pakistan soil. Islamabad United became the champions for the second time with a win over Peshawar Zalmi at Karachi in 2018. Quetta Gladiators were third-time lucky in 2019. Karachi Kings made history in 2020 as they beat their arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars at home.
ICC’s Playing Conditions
The PCB has also adopted the ICC’s recent playing conditions. If a side is not in a position to field their last over of the innings on scheduled time, one fewer fielder will be permitted outside of the 30-yard circle for the remaining overs of the innings. There will be a reserve day for the final and in case a result is not achieved, then the side topping the group stage will be declared champions. Amendments in playing conditions are available here.
The PCB has allowed a side to field a playing XI based on all local players in case they are unable to field foreign players. The matches will go ahead if a side has at least 13 players available. The PCB has also created a pool of reserve players. It will ensure the continuation of action in these unprecedented covid times
Pakistan Super Legue 7 Official Broadcasters
A Sports, PTV Sports, Tensports, Daraz, Tapmad, and Cricwick will broadcast PSL matches in HD for fans in Pakistan.
Fox Sports will telecast HBL Pakistan Super League 7 in Australia. Middle-East and North Africa can view PSL 7 on Etisalat. People in the Caribbean can watch it on Flow Sports. New Zealand’s official PSL 7 broadcaster is Sky NZ. While Sky Sports will broadcast it in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the Sony channel will broadcast the PSL 7 in South Asian countries outside Pakistan. Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa), Willow TV (North America), and ICC TV & tapmad TV (Australia, Mainland Europe, South East Asia & RoW).
Daraz App will live-stream the action in Pakistan. While OTT platforms ICC TV and Tapmad will provide action in International Countries.
