After another enthralling round of group matches, the league table for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 2 looked almost exactly like it was at the end of the pool games last year: Zalmi, Gladiators, Kings, United, Qalandars - in that order.
While Karachi and United have swapped the 3rd and 4th spots, practically it doesn’t make any difference. They’d take each other out in the first knockout game of the playoffs again this year.
The league standings, however, have meant that for the second time in two years, it’s Lahore Qalandars that miss out on the playoffs. That the final will be in Lahore makes that even more ominous for the most expensive franchise in the PSL.
Kieron Pollard celebrating Kings' win over Qalandars
The team that comes out on top will have the much craved silverware, but Sunday is all about Pakistan finally hosting its T20 league
This piece is being written before Tuesday’s Qualifier between Zalmi and Gladiators - for the second consecutive season the two best teams in the league are taking each other on in the first playoff game. One of them would’ve booked their place in Sunday’s final, while the other would play the winner of the Kings-United Eliminator tonight.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Zalmi and Gladiators face off at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. That would have been the final last year as well, had it not been for a late United surge.
But of course, Sunday would be one of those rare occasions where the venue outdoes the teams and the athletes as the biggest marketing point. World-class cricket is returning to Pakistan, and this could only bode well for the future of the game in the country.
Misbah-ul-Haq
However, as far as on-field matters are concerned, the foreign players would be instrumental in deciding Sunday’s game. Over the week a lot of the international stars would drop out and might be replaced with other foreign players. And so, the teams that take to the field in the final might be significantly different from the squads that have helped put their franchises on the brink of glory.
For Zalmi Darren Sammy’s captaincy has been inspirational; Gladiators have relied on Kevin Pietersen’s big hitting; United have a batting core featuring Dwayne Smith, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson and Kings finally had Chris Gayle firing, with Kieron Pollard being the destroyer-in-chief lower down the order. Which of these players pull out before Sunday could be crucial in determining the winners of the second PSL season.
Even so, it’s the local stars and youngsters that their franchises would be looking towards, to lead their teams to glory. And with the prospect of witnessing the likes of Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Babar Azam and Mohammed Amir at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, any compromises that this cricket-hungry nation and the PSL franchises might have to make would be worth it.
Shahid Afridi
In addition to new look starting 11s, another aspect that the teams would need to focus on would be the conditions in Lahore. Traditionally the Gaddafi Stadium pitch would not be very different from the UAE tracks, but with the unparalleled rain in Dubai and Sharjah this year, Lahore might present significantly contrasting playing conditions. There should be less moisture, and interestingly, Lahore might have warmer temperatures as well.
However, Sunday is all about Pakistan finally hosting its T20 league. The team that comes out on top will have the much craved silverware till next year, but it’s safe to say that everyone’s focus is on ensuring a safe event that could pave the way for more PSL games being played at home next season.
The PSL organising team deserves all the credit for making the tournament a household name despite the matches being played in the Emirates. Jam-packed houses are awaiting the league’s complete return to Pakistan in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta.
