Organisers of the inaugural HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) have called the T20 tournament the "biggest development in Pakistan cricket in the last 65 years." Five teams - Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators - will compete for the title over 24 matches across Dubai and Sharjah between February 4-23. And Najam Sethi, chairman of the PSL, believes the inaugural T20 event has the potential to rival the Indian Premier League for popularity in the coming years. Speaking at the official launch on Sunday, Sethi also expressed his hope that the tournament will be the start of a new era for Pakistani cricket after recent off-field issues.
Najam Sethi
The tournament, which kicks off with Islamabad United versus Quetta Gladiators at Dubai Sports City on Thursday, February 4, will feature some of the biggest names in cricket from nine different countries. Islamabad boast Misbah ul-Haq as well as Australian duo Shane Watson and Brad Haddin while Kevin Pietersen and Kumar Sangakkara are the star turns for Quetta. Pakistan duo Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Amir will ply their trade for Karachi while West Indian superstars Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo will represent Lahore. Peshawar's team includes Pakistan's T20 captain Shahid Afridi and Mohammed Hafeez.
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