The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) is all set to welcome its grand tenth edition - HBL PSL X - when defending champions Islamabad United take on Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium amid tremendous fanfare and excitement on Friday night.
A glittering opening ceremony before the start of play on Friday will mark the beginning of this historic edition. HBL PSL X is slated to run from April 11 to May 18 with night matches starting at 8:00pm (PST).
The 34-match tournament comprises of three-double headers scheduled on 12 April, 1 and 10 May, while the remaining fixtures will be single headers taking place across Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. The three afternoon games will begin at 4pm PKT.
The six teams will also be locking horns to take away the USD 500,000 prize money set for the winners, while the runners-up team will be awarded USD 200,000.
The newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is set to play host to 13 HBL PSL X matches including Qualifier, Eliminator and the 18 May final. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, while Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Stadium will witness five HBL PSL X matches each this season.
Babar Azam, the leading run-scorer in the HBL PSL with 3,504 runs to his name, will be leading the HBL PSL 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi. Australia's David Warner becomes the fourth overseas player to lead the 2020 champions Karachi Kings after Ravi Bopara, Kumar Sangakkara and Eoin Morgan.
Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to glory in the 2021 edition in Abu Dhabi, will continue to reign as Sultans' skipper having done so 48 times in the previous four HBL PSL editions. Quetta's Saud Shakeel will take the leadership duties of the Gladiators from Rilee Rossouw.
Shadab Khan, who has led Islamabad United in 55 HBL PSL matches so far, has been entrusted leadership duties for HBL PSL X as well, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, the only captain to have won consecutive HBL PSL titles will be in charge of the Lahore Qalandars.
In HBL PSL 2024, Islamabad United emerged winners bagging the title for third time, while Multan Sultans ended up as runners-up for the third consecutive time.
Babar Azam, captain Peshawar Zalmi, said in a pre-tournament presser: "This season we are focusing on what we missed out in the last couple of editions and not to repeat the same mistakes. We have strengthened our core on both bowling and batting front so that we don't struggle at any stage of the game.
"We will look to field XIs according to the conditions on the four venues. I think all the six teams are strong making the HBL PSL X highly competitive."
Mohammad Rizwan, captain of Multan Sultans, said: "The HBL PSL X has become a huge brand that every family in the country has supporters of different teams, while all the fans wait for this sporting spectacle whole year. Whoever wins the tournament will be a success for this country as the league has entered the 10th edition."
Saud Shakeel, captain of Quetta Gladiators, also spoke on the occasion and said: "The last few seasons haven't been good for Quetta and like all other teams we have tried our best to assemble a quality squad. We look forward to playing well and entertaining the fans this time around.
"Our squad looks well balanced and it will be exciting to lead Quetta Gladiators this season."
Speaking at the pre-tournament presser, Shadab Khan, captain of Islamabad United, said: "Islamabad United is excited to play five home games at the Rawalpindi Stadium this season and we look forward to performing well in front of our fans. You will get to see a different Islamabad United outfit this season.
"Being the defending champions, we will look to continue the consistent performances this season as well and expand our trophy cabinet."
Shaheen Shah Afridi, captain of Lahore Qalandars, said:
"One of the key goals for Lahore Qalandars throughout the HBL PSL has been developing and producing quality players and we will stick to that goal in the 10th edition of the league as well.
"I am highly excited for the young players in the Lahore Qalandars squad and hopefully they will deliver well during this season. I am enjoying the leadership duties for Lahore Qalandars and looking forward to celebrate the HBL PSL throughout the next few weeks."
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ