As the world cricket is changing with every passing day. More formats of limited over cricket like Pakistan Super League PSL, Indian premium league, Big bash league, and many other cricket leagues are taking place in global cricketing schedules. The main reasons for success for these short formats are the quantity of money involved and the audience’s interest.
With time, the red ball cricket was losing its popularity, maybe due to its slow and long formats which consume a lot of time. As time demanded, white-ball cricket was introduced to keep this sport alive. Since the introduction of white-ball cricket, 50 over, 20 over, and even 10 over formats were introduced but undoubtedly, T20 cricket is the most successful version of white-ball cricket to date.
Introduction of Franchise Cricket
India was the first country to introduce franchise cricket with the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the year 2007. Its first edition was played in 2008 and to date total of fourteen additions have been played. With the success of the Indian Premium League, the other nations were encouraged to start the same. Although some experts believe that the main reason for IPL was to discourage players from joining ICL (Indian Cricket League) an illegal league declared by the ICC which was owned by the Zee group from India. However, the success of IPL overshadowed all these thoughts.
Launch of Pakistan Super League PSL
After the success of the IPL model more countries were encouraged to start their leagues. As International cricket was not played in Pakistan and Pakistan cricket was dying. At that time Pakistan Cricket Board decided to launch their franchised-based cricket league. The main reason for Pakistan Super League PSL was to encourage international cricket in Pakistan and also take PCB out of financial crises. The then Chairman PCB Mr. Najam Sethi decided to launch Pakistan Super League PSL in September. 2015. Five franchises on names of different cities in Pakistan were sold with a bidding process. Its first edition was played in 2016 at different venues of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) due to security issues in Pakistan. To date total of 06 additions of this league have been played. After initial tournaments played in UAE PSL was shifted to Pakistan in 2017. After its worldwide success Now, PSL is going to get a special window in ICC Future Tour Program (FTP).
Teams
PCB announced bidding invitations for five teams and according to PCB total of 20 candidates showed interest and in the end total of seven bidders participated in the process. Through a bidding process, 05 teams were sold with ten years’ rights for a total amount of $93million. Karachi King owned by ARY Group was the most expensive franchise with $26 million. Secondly, Lahore Qalandars was grasped by Qatar Oil with $25 million. Peshwar was sold to Higher Group for $16million. Whereas, Islamabad was handed over to Leonine Group of Sports for $15million. The lowest price of $11million was paid by Omer Associates for Quetta. After the success of the Pakistan Super League, PCB decided to add the Multan team in 2017 and after a bidding process, the Multan team was sold at the highest price of $41.6 million to Schon Group which played its first addition in 2018.
Results of PSL different Seasons
The final of the first tournament was played between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators at Dubai International Cricket Stadium Dubai. Islamabad United beat Quetta Gladiators by 06 wickets and become the first winners of Pakistan Super League 2016.
In 2017 Quetta again played the final against Peshwar Zalmi at Gadafi Stadium Lahore, but again fails to finish the tournament as the winner. Peshwar Zalmi won their first title beating Quetta by 58 runs.
Islamabad United came back hard and played the final of PSL 2018 against the defending Champions Peshwar Zulmi at National Stadium Karachi. Islamabad won their second tournament out of three by beating Peshawar Zalmi by a margin of 03 wickets.
In 2019 Quetta Gladiators Managed to reach the final for 3rd time and played against Peshwar Zalmi at the National stadium who were also playing their 2nd Final. This time Quetta changed the history and won their first title after three attempts by beating Peshawar Zalmi by a margin of 08 wickets.
Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars reached the final of PSL 2020 played at National Stadium Karachi, Where Karachi easily beat Lahore by 05 wickets and Crowned Winners of PSL 2020.
Multan Sultan managed to reach the final of PSL 2021 against the one-time title winners Peshawar Zalmi at Shiekh Zayed Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi. Multan Sultan easily won the final by 47 runs.
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