Karachi to Host PSL 5 Opening Ceremony on 20th February

The schedule for Pakistan Super League 2020 has been announced. The opening match will take place in Karachi, while the final on 22^nd March will be played in Lahore. Lahore will host the most, 14 matches, while Karachi has been allotted nine matches, followed by Rawalpindi with eight and Multan hosting three.

“After bringing Test cricket back to Pakistan, hosting of the entire HBL Pakistan Super League is our other major achievement,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in a statement. “I never had any doubts it was Pakistan’s league and should be played in front of home crowds. We had made this commitment to the people of Pakistan at the end of last year’s event and I am pleased today we have announced the event schedule with four centres to share the 34 event matches between them.”

Multan has been cleared by independent security consultants appointed by the PCB to host the matches. The stadium, however, is still undergoing renovation.

Lahore Qalandars will be enjoying plenty of home advantage, playing 8 games at home, while one each in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Defending Champions Quetta Gladiators will be playing four matches in Karachi, three in Lahore, two in Rawalpindi and one in Multan. While last year’s finalist Peshawar Zalmi will be based in Rawalpindi playing five matches. Three PZ matches will be played in Karachi and one each in Lahore and Multan.

Karachi Kings will be playing five matches in front of their home fans, with two games in Lahore, two in Rawalpindi and one in Multan. Two times champions, Islamabad United will be playing five games in Rawalpindi, three in Karachi and two in Lahore. Whereas Multan Sultans will be playing three home games, five in Lahore and one each in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

A total of 36 players including Dale Steyn, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Moeen Ali, Imran Tahir have signed to play the league.