The eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will begin with a thrilling match between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium today. The match is expected to be preceded by a grand opening ceremony, featuring musical performances by some of the country’s most talented artists, including Abdullah Siddiqui, Asim Azhar, Faris Shafi, and Shae Gill.
Defending Champion Lahore Qalandars Confident for New Season
Captain Shaheen of the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, is eager for the PSL season to commence. In his words, “I can’t wait for the PSL to start. It’s a great tournament that showcases some fantastic cricketers each year and offers us international players the opportunity to play some incredibly competitive cricket.” He added, “Our team had a fantastic run last year and our strong bond as a family helped us win the PSL. We’ve put in even more effort and preparation this season, and I am confident that we’ll be able to retain the title.”
Multan Sultans’ Philosophy: Play like Champions
Captain Rizwan of the Multan Sultans highlighted the philosophy of his side, saying, “The philosophy of the Multan Sultans is simple: we play like champions, regardless of the opposition or the outcome. We’re not afraid of the results because we have a closely-knit team and a good mix of coaches. This approach has been instilled in our side, and I am proud to be leading such a strong and cohesive unit.”
PSL Season 8: Key Stats to Know
Here are five important statistics to keep in mind before the PSL opener between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans:
- Head-to-head: The two teams have faced each other 13 times in PSL, with Multan winning seven and Lahore six matches.
- Biggest win by wickets: Lahore holds the record for their biggest win against Multan in terms of wickets, with a 9-wicket victory in 2020.
- 200 Runs or More: Multan has posted 200 or more runs twice against Lahore in PSL, with scores of 209-5 in Karachi last year and 200-6 in Sharjah in 2019.
- Highest Score by a Player: The record for the highest score in a match between Lahore and Multan is held by Lahore’s Chris Lynn, who scored 113 runs in 55 balls in 2020.
- Best Bowling Figures in an Innings: Lahore’s Shaheen Afridi holds the record for the best bowling figures in a match between the two teams, with five wickets for just four runs in 2018.
