Dozens of international cricketers are participating in the 4th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as against 77 foreign international cricketers who turned up in the last three editions of the PSL.
The PSL schedule 2019 features 34 T20 matches to be played between six franchises i.e., Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi. The tournament, which is officially labeled as 'HBL PSL 2019' would kick off with the opening ceremony followed by the opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United on 14th February 2019. Out of 34 matches, eight matches will be stage in Pakistan; five in Karachi including final and three in Lahore.
Out of the 77 foreign international cricket stars who participated in the last three editions, England leads the pack of fielding most number of players i.e., 24 followed by the West Indies with 17 players, South Africa nine players, Bangladesh seven players, Australia and New Zealand six each players, Sri Lanka four players, Zimbabwe two players and Afghanistan and the Netherlands with one player each.
As per statistics, Andre Russell, who was the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural PSL event in 2016. Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United) the wicket-keeper opening batsman from New Zealand topped the batting charts in the third HBL PSL with 435 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 182.00. Ronchi was the backbone of Islamabad United's second title as he scored five half-centuries in 11 innings, including 52 off 26 balls in the final against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi.
Ronchi recalls: "There was a lot of excitement all around when we landed in Karachi for the HBL PSL final last year. The energy in the city was amazing and it felt like we were part of a big festival.
Daren Sammy (Peshawar Zalmi) the West Indies all-rounder took over the leadership duties in the second HBL PSL in 2017 and in his very first assignment as captain, won the title for Zalmi in the final in Lahore. Due to his enterprising captaincy and four years association with the franchise, the Zalmi fans share special love with him.
"I have a very special relationship with Pakistan and every time I interact with Pakistani fans or play in front of them, it just fills my heart with so much joy," Sammy said, adding: "When we all took that first step with the HBL PSL 2017 final in Lahore, we knew we were doing something much more important than just playing a game of cricket."
Ravi Bopara (Karachi Kings) the England all-rounder was the most talked about overseas cricketer in the inaugural edition of HBL PSL in 2016. Bopara finished the tournament with 329 runs and 11 wickets, the highlight being his 43-ball 71 not out innings followed by six wickets for 16 runs against Lahore Qalandars in Sharjah. He also took three wickets in the Eliminator against Zalmi in Lahore last year.
Liam Dawson (Peshawar Zalmi) in his very first match for the Zalmi, the England all-rounder bagged three wickets for 20 runs against Qalandars in Sharjah in 2018 - the best figures by an overseas player on HBL PSL debut. Dawson's performance was one of the driving forces behind Zalmi's journey to the final in the last HBL PSL.
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