The Pakistan Super League 2023 got underway on February 13 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, where defending champions Lahore Qalandars beat Multan Sultans to begin their defence in style.
Similar to the 2022 season, six teams - Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators - will battle it out to become champions of PSL 2023.
Islamabad United is the most successful team in PSL history, while 2017 winners have finished as runners-up thrice - more than any team in the league.
The 2023 edition consists of 34 matches - 30 league stage games and four playoff matches - making it a month-long schedule.
The teams will play each other in a double round-robin format in the league stage. The final group stage match is scheduled for March 12, while the playoffs begin on March 15.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the tournament is set to be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium and National Stadium in Karachi between February 13 and 26. The second phase follows at the Gaddafi Stadium and the Pindi Cricket Stadium between February 26 and March 19.
Since the home venues for Quetta and Peshawar are not ready to host high-profile matches, these teams will miss out on playing in front of their fans.
The Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam will lead Peshawar Zalmi this season, after his move from Multan Sultans. Other star players like Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alex Hales and Kieron Pollard will also make an appearance in PSL this season.
PSL 2023 points table
|
Rank |
Teams |
Matches played |
Wins |
Losses |
Tied |
No result |
Points |
Net run rate (NRR) |
| 1 | Lahore Qalandars | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0.915 |
| 2 | Multan Sultans | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.500 |
| 3 | Islamabad United | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -0.708 |
| 4 | Peshawar Zalmi | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -0.452 |
| 5 | Karachi Kings | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.756 |
| 6 | Quetta Gladiators | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -1.066 |
PSL 2023 points table format
In the league stage of Pakistan Super League 2023, each team will be awarded two points for a win and one point for a tie or no-result match.
If multiple teams are tied on points in PSL 2023, the team with the superior Net Run Rate will be positioned higher in the standings.
The top four teams in the PSL 2023 points table will qualify for the playoffs. The top two will face off in the Qualifier, the winner of which advances to the final. The losing side will play the winners of Eliminator 1 in Eliminator 2 for a place in the grand finale. The PSL 2023 final will be hosted at the Gaddafi Stadium on March 19.
Photo credits: Alamy
