News Analysis |
The third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 will start on February 22nd, 2018. The first match of the PSL will be held in Dubai between the last year’s champions, Peshawar Zalmi facing off against newcomers, the Multan Sultans, according to the schedule released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The highly anticipated third edition of the PSL includes six teams that will fight for the PSL trophy next year in a tournament that includes 24 matches. These matches will be played at different venues in Dubai, Sharjah, Lahore, and Karachi
PCB is hoping to make all the arrangements for the final game. Next year’s tournament also features the new entrants-Multan. Veteran Pakistan all-rounder, Shoaib Malik will be leading this new edition in this fascinating competition.
Moreover, the HBL final of PSL 3 will take place in Karachi on March 25th. According to the schedule, each team will play ten games in the first round of the tournament. The first leg of the three all-important playoffs will be played in Dubai, and then players will fly to Lahore to participate in the remaining two.
The inaugural ceremony will take place at Dubai International Stadium. All the teams will play against each other twice. In the next knock out phase, the four top teams will compete for the playoff stage.
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PCB was successful in organizing a highly appreciated tournament last year. Amid the presence of huge security, the PSL Season 2 final was held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which was instrumental in bringing back the joy that eluded the Pakistani cricket fans for such a long period. The final in Lahore was the only second time Pakistan hosted an international series since militants attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009.
The inaugural ceremony will take place at Dubai International Stadium. All the teams will play against each other twice. In the next knock out phase, the four top teams will compete for the playoff stage.
The humongous success of the PSL final paved the way for international cricket in Pakistan. It boosted the confidence of cricket boards and the players in Pakistan’s overall security position, to some extent. Following the final, a T- 20 series was played between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, which further improved the credentials of PCB’s rhetoric of provision for safe and secure matches in Pakistan.
At the end of the last year’s edition, PCB chairman Najam Sethi had promised to conduct the final of the third addition In National Stadium Karachi.
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PCB is hoping to make all the arrangements for the final game. Next year’s tournament also features the new entrants-Multan. Veteran Pakistan all-rounder, Shoaib Malik will be leading this new edition in this fascinating competition.
The third edition of the PSL will go on for a month, and promises to be a thrilling ride for all Pakistani cricket fans.