Karachi, Lahore to host PSL 6 matches in proposed schedule

The upcoming edition of season six of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will take place in Karachi and Lahore, the two main cities. This will assist the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to handle the arrangements and raise the funds for the event in order to shape a healthy bio-bubble.

The matches will be held behind closed doors during the tournament while the proposed schedule has been finalised for the event.

The Karachi National Stadium will host matches from 20 February to 7 March, while the next 14 matches, including the final, will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The first match of the tournament will be a night match played on February 20 at the National Stadium in Karachi between reigning champions Karachi Kings and the Quetta Gladiators franchise, while the final is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 22.

Matches in the cities of Rawalpindi and Multan were also featured in the previous PSL version. Because of the prevalent distribution of the coronavirus, it will not be the case for the next season of the competition.

The Quetta Gladiators franchise shared its disappointment with the scheduling of the PSL’s previous season, which saw them playing in various cities. For them, as the defending champions, this was also touted as a big explanation for the first-round loss.

This time, the PCB advised the franchises on the timeline in order to escape a similar scenario.

Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators will have to play back-to-back games three times, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans will have to play two back-to-back games twice, while during the next tournament, the Lahore Qalandars franchise will only have to play back-to-back games once.

Two matches in just one city will take place concurrently. The tournament’s first stage will feature 21 night matches and 9 day matches. In eight night encounters, Islamabad United will feature Quetta Gladiators, Multan Sultans, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi in seven, while Karachi Kings will feature in six night matches.

Expected schedule for PSL season six:

February 20: Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (Night)

February 21: Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi (Day)

February 21: Islamabad United v Multan Sultans (Night)

February 22: Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators (Night)

February 23: Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans (Night)

February 24: Karachi Kings v Islamabad United (Night)

February 25: No matches (Rest day)

February 26: Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (Day)

February 26: Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United (Night)

February 27: Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans (Day)

February 27: Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators (Night)