Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine kicks off on February 17, 2024, with the opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.
The 34-match T20 tournament promises high-octane cricket in various cities. Karachi will host 11 matches, including the qualifier, two eliminators, and the final.
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi will each serve as battlegrounds for nine matches, while Multan, known as the city of saints, will be the backdrop for five thrilling encounters.
As the PSL 9 draws near, cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating standout performances from some of the game's most talented and exciting players. Here's a list of five local and five international players to watch out for in the upcoming tournament.
Babar Azam
Former Pakistan captain and current skipper of Peshawar Zalmi Babar Azam is renowned as one of cricket's all-time greats. As the top-ranked ODI batter, he's a formidable force in modern cricket. With a stellar PSL record of 2,935 runs in 79 matches at an average of 43.80, he played a key role in Karachi Kings' 2020 PSL title win, scoring an unbeaten 63 in the final against Peshawar Zalmi.
Shaheen Afridi
Lahore Qalandars' captain, Shaheen Afridi, led his team to consecutive PSL titles. Ranked third in PSL history with 89 wickets in 62 matches, Shaheen Afridi holds an impressive average of 20.85 and an economy of 7.91, with two five-wicket hauls.
In the last final, his all-round show, scoring 44 runs off 15 balls and taking four wickets for 51 runs, was pivotal in Lahore's one-run victory, defending their PSL title.
Mohammad Amir
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir is a potent force in T20s, especially for Karachi Kings, with 63 wickets in 66 matches.
His impactful performances extend to a remarkable overall T20 record of 305 wickets in 262 matches. Amir is set to display his skills for Quetta Gladiators in the upcoming PSL edition.
Fakhar Zaman
Lahore Qalandars' opener Fakhar Zaman, PSL's second-highest run-scorer, is poised to shine in the ninth edition. With 2368 runs in 76 matches and a 142.30 strike rate, his aggressive style is crucial. In the last PSL, Fakhar was the fourth-highest run-scorer, hitting 429 runs in 13 matches at an average of 33.00 and a strike rate of 160.67.
Mohammad Rizwan
Lastly, Multan Sultans' captain Mohammad Rizwan, a composed batter and wicket-keeper, is a potent force. Ranked third in PSL history with 1,996 runs in 71 matches, he boasts an average of 43.39 and a strike rate of 128.60. Leading Multan Sultans to victory in the sixth edition, he was the second-highest run-scorer in 2021, scoring 546 runs in 12 matches with an average of 68.25 and seven fifties.
Shamar Joseph
West Indies' Shamar Joseph has made a remarkable international debut, taking 13 wickets in two matches against Australia, including seven in the second Test, helping his side overcome a 27-year victory drought on Australian soil. Now, he joins Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, replacing Gus Atkinson, which makes him a player to watch.
Rilee Rossouw
South African batter Rilee Rossouw is the most prolific middle-order batter in PSL history. He holds the record for the highest number of runs by an international player, with 1867 runs in 74 matches, including two centuries and an impressive 146.54 strike rate. His innings of 121 runs set a record for Multan, leading to their highest-ever PSL score of 262/3 against Quetta Gladiators.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga, making his debut in the upcoming PSL season, poses a significant challenge for rival franchise teams, given his outstanding T20 cricket performance. With an impressive track record of 229 wickets in 164 T20 matches, including three five-wicket hauls, Hasaranga brings formidable skills to the Quetta Gladiators in his inaugural PSL season.
Jason Roy
Jason Roy, the hard-hitting England batter who plays for Quetta, has set a PSL record with an unbeaten 145, leading his team to a historic run chase against Peshawar Zalmi's 240-2. He hit his sixth T20 century, achieving a personal best with 63 balls, featuring 20 fours and five sixes. This performance contributed to Quetta completing the highest chase in PSL history.
Tom-Kohler Cadmore
England's Tom Kohler Cadmore, a formidable T20 batter, has a remarkable track record with 4,550 runs, 140.95 strike rate, and 221 sixes in 169 matches. As a crucial player for Peshawar Zalmi, he adds dynamism to the team's aggressive batting lineup. In the last PSL edition, he scored 325 runs in 12 matches with a striking rate of 160.09, including three half-centuries.