Highlights
- International cricketers share about their experience in Pakistan
- What is PSL T20 Cricket Tournament?
- Darren Sammy to be granted honorary citizenship
- Fans excited to see top players in Pakistan Super League
- Remaining fixtures in the tournament
English cricketer Chris Jordan is a fan of the famous Karachi biryani while Australian all-rounder Shane Watson loves his shish kebabs and barbeque.
While talking to local media Shane Watson reminisced about his experience in Pakistan last year when his team Quetta Gladiators won the PSL tournament.
“Both have been amazing experiences. Last season to be here for the weekend to be a part of Quetta winning our first title was a very exciting time in my career and now to be back in Pakistan and be able to travel around the different parts as well is very exciting,” said Watson.
“I love my barbeque, so I have already had some Pakistani barbeque… I am making the most of it while I am here.
“The people are incredibly hospitable and we are always looked after incredibly well. From a cricketing point of the view, the facilities are amazing.” he further added.
Chris Jordan talks about his love for Biryani and spices while talking to local media he said that “The food is amazing. I always try to go for the biryani. I love the spices; it’s very different I do enjoy the food.”
“Karachi is a great city. The people are amazing. I always get welcomed with open arms.
“The crowd is amazing. I have nothing but compliments for the whole of Karachi,” said Jordan.
PSL T20 Cricket Tournament
Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional T20 cricket league consisting of six teams featuring both local and international players.
This year the fifth season of the league is being played where Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars will compete against each other in the double round-robin format and play a total of 34 matches.
This is the first time that all matches are being played in Pakistan across several cities. All previous seasons of the tournament took place in the United Arab Emirates due to security reasons, whereas the last three finals of each season were only played in Pakistan.
Honorary citizenship
Former West Indies Captain Darren Sammy played a huge role in the return of cricket to Pakistan for which he will be acknowledged by being granted honorary citizenship. He will also receive Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s top civilian award next month.
Sammy was the first international player to agree to tour Pakistan when the cricket board wanted to host the tournament locally. He took to the micro-blogging website thanking Pakistan for the love shown to him.
Sammy is currently the captain of Peshawar Zalmi and has the led the team to victory in 2017 while also reaching the finals in 2018 and 2019.
Fans and Players
Huge crowds have shown up to see a glimpse of cricketing stars in the first few matches since the tournament started last week.
Pakistan cricket board (PCB) has been delighted with the support of fans and quality of cricket being played claiming it to be the best since the tournament's inception.
With more eyeballs than ever before PCB said in a press release that they were overwhelmed with the response.
“The PCB is overwhelmed with the excellent spectator response and turnaround at the two venues for the first seven matches.
“The quality of cricket in the first seven matches has been from the very top draw, thanks to our excellent cricket facilities which have provided these players with the opportunity to fully display their talent and produce edge-of-the-seat thrillers.
“We have had a last-ball finish, a century, a number of half-centuries, four-fers, athletic catches and fielding, and the emergence of some exciting youngsters.” said the PCB in a press release.
International players to the likes of Darren Sammy, Shane Watson, Alex Hales, Dale Steyn, Moeen Ali, Chris Lynn, Fawad Ahmed, Jason Roy, Imran Tahir among others are taking part in PSL 2020.
Well-known local stars such as Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir, Usman Qadir, Babar Azam, Mohammed Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Naseem Shah among others are playing for the six teams.
Fans took to social media cheering for their favourite players, teams and thanking the cricket board for bringing back the sport home.
Remaining fixtures
| 26th February 7:00pm | Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi |
| 27th February 7:00pm | Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators |
| 28th February 2:00pm | Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings |
| 28th February 7:00pm | Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars |
| 29th February 2:00pm | Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators |
| 29th February 7:00pm | Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi |
| 1st March 7:00pm | Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings |
| 2nd March 7:00pm | Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings |
| 3rd March 7:00pm | Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars |
| 4th March 7:00pm | Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars |
| 5th March 7:00pm | Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators |
| 6th March 7:00pm | Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans |
| 7th March 2:00pm | Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United |
| 7th March 7:00pm | Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators |
| 8th March 2:00pm | Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United |
| 8th March 7:00pm | Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings |
| 10th March 7:00pm | Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi |
| 11th March 7:00pm | Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans |
| 12th March 7:00pm | Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars |
| 13th March 7:00pm | Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans |
| 14th March 7:00pm | Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United |
| 15th March 2:00pm | Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars |
| 15th March 7:00pm | Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings |
| 17th March 7:00pm | Qualifier |
| 18th March 7:00pm | Eliminator 1 |
| 20th March 7:00pm | Eliminator 2 |
| 22nd March 7:00pm | Final |
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