The increased number of teams has led to a change in format. For the first time, all teams will not take on each other twice, as has been the case in the past. Instead, each side will play ten fixtures, playing seven teams on two occasions, and just three teams twice. Unsurprisingly, the marquee fixtures, most notably Karachi vs Lahore, will take place twice – both times at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
While Lahore hosts the most games at 15, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a close second at eleven. It is the only venue to play official host to two teams in the competition. With Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi both featuring teams in the league, the stadium will play official host to both, including serving as the venue for the two derbies between the sides on April 4 and 23
While there are more host cities than ever, the tournament is primarily concentrated in Lahore and Rawalpindi, with 26 of the league’s 44 matches taking place in either of the two cities. The National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, will see just six games played, even fewer than Faisalabad (seven), which makes its debut as a PSL host.
Bar the first qualifier in Rawalpindi, the playoffs and the final all take place in Lahore, with the final on May 3, and May 4 held as a reserve day.
