Pakistan Super League 2020 [Preview]
The fifth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) is going to be played in Pakistan from 20th February till 22nd March. This is first time that the whole competition being played in Pakistan across four different venues-Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. A total of 34 matches will be played in this year’s competition.
The PSL draft that took place in the month of December saw franchises bringing in new players for this year’s competition.
Reigning Champions Quetta Gladiators will be looking to start their campaign on a decent note. Tymal Mills, Jason Roy, Ben Cutting and Keemo Paul are players signed by the franchise for the coming season. England opener Jason Roy will bolster the batting resources for the side in this year’s competition. He recently scored consistently in England’s tour to South Africa.
Two-time Champions Islamabad United have made decent acquisitions in a bid to win this year’s competition. Rassie van der Dussen and Dale Steyn will miss the season due to international commitments for South Africa. Colin Ingram, Dawid Malan and Colin Munro are newest acquisitions that will bolster the batting resources for the side for the coming edition. All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Islamabad United in this year’s tournament. Misbah-ul-Haq is new coach for the franchise for the coming edition.
Peshawar Zalmi will be looking to put on a strong show in this year’s competition. Darren Sammy will lead the side in the fifth edition of PSL. Carlos Brathwaite, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and Tom Banton are new players signed by Peshawar Zalmi. 2017 PSL Champions will be hoping to make a serious dash at the coveted prize this season.
Karachi Kings have been perennial underachievers in the history of Pakistan Super League. Bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim will lead the franchise for this year’s competition. In the PSL draft, Kings made notable acquisitions as Alex Hales, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, Ali Khan and Mitchell McClenaghan will be part of the squad for this season.
Lahore Qalandars will be looking to turn their fortunes around in this year’s competition. The side has always finished in the bottom half of the league table since 2016. Sohail Akhtar will lead the franchise for the fifth edition of PSL. Former Pakistan Skipper Salman Butt has been included in the squad and might be part of the playing XI for the coming season.
Chris Lynn, Lendl Simmons, Samit Patel, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ben Dunk and Dane Vilas are the new players signed by the franchise for this year’s competition. Head Coach Aaqib Javed will be hoping that the new players can bring to energy and enthusiasm to the squad for the coming season.
The last franchise is that will participate in this year’s tournament is Multan Sultans will be captained by Shan Masood. Former England coach Andy Flower will be head coach for the franchise.
Moeen Ali, Imran Tahir, Ravi Bopara, Fabian Allen, Rilee Rossouw and Bilawal Bhatti are players that have been signed by the franchise.
The Qualifier game will be played on 17th March at National Cricket Stadium in Karachi. Eliminator 1 and 2 games will be played at Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on 18th and 20th March respectively.
The final of Pakistan Super League 2020 will be played at Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on 22nd March.
