The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is all set to launch the landmark 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a glittering opening ceremony at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
This much-anticipated tournament will run from April 11 to May 18 across four major venues—Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, and Multan—featuring 34 thrilling matches between six star-studded teams. The grand finale is scheduled to take place at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium on May 18.
The opening clash will feature defending champions Islamabad United facing off against two-time winners Lahore Qalandars, with the first ball set to be bowled at 8:30 PM.
Dazzling Opening Ceremony
The opening night promises an entertainment spectacle, featuring Sufi legend Abida Parveen, pop star Ali Zafar, and hip-hop duo Young Stunners. Performances from PSL anthem artists Abrar-ul-Haq, Natasha Baig, Talha Anjum, and Ali Zafar will electrify the stage, capped off by a stunning fireworks display.
PSL 10: A Milestone Event
PSL CEO Salman Naseer called this edition a historic moment, noting that the league has grown into a global cricket brand over the past decade. He emphasized that fans will enjoy action-packed cricket along with a mix of international stars and local heroes.
In a notable first, a special exhibition match will be held in Peshawar before the league kicks off—marking a significant step in bringing PSL cricket to the city’s passionate fans.
Cutting-Edge Player Tracking Technology
For the first time, PSL 10 will feature Player Tracking Technology, enhancing the viewer experience with advanced analytics. The system will track player movements, field placements, batting patterns, and more, offering real-time performance insights through graphical data.
Key features include:
- Zone-based fielder analysis
- Batter scoring zones
- Ball-catching metrics
- Field placement evaluation based on strengths and weaknesses
Match Officials and Umpires
The PCB has appointed 13 umpires and 7 match referees for the event. Elite ICC umpires such as Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, and Kumar Dharmasena will officiate alongside top Pakistani officials including Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob.
Referees include ICC veteran Ranjan Madugalle, Roshan Mahanama, and PCB’s Ali Naqvi, Muhammad Javed Malik, among others.
Star-Studded Commentary Panel
Making his PSL commentary debut is former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, joining renowned voices like Mark Nicholas, Dominic Cork, JP Duminy, and Mike Haysman. Martin Guptill (NZ), Athar Ali Khan (Bangladesh), and Lisa Sthalekar (Australia) will also feature.
Pakistan’s commentary legends Aamir Sohail, Ramiz Raja, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz, and Sikander Bakht round out the expert team.
Urdu Commentary for the First Time
In a landmark move, this season will offer full match broadcasts in Urdu. The Urdu commentary panel features Ali Younis, Aqeel Samar, Marina Iqbal, Salman Butt, and Tariq Saeed, joined by other Pakistani commentators for selected segments.
Presenters
Erin Holland and Zainab Abbas will host the coverage throughout the season.
