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The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 is gearing up for an electrifying start on April 11, 2025. This tenth edition of Pakistan’s flagship T20 cricket league, orchestrated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), promises a month-long spectacle of high-octane cricket, running until May 18, 2025. With 34 matches scheduled—including 30 league games and four playoff encounters—the tournament will unfold across four iconic cities: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The opening clash will feature defending champions Islamabad United locking horns with Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, setting the tone for a season that will coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Tournament overview
PSL 2025 kicks off with a double round-robin format, where each of the six teams will face off twice, culminating in 30 league matches. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, featuring a Qualifier, two Eliminators, and the Final. The tournament’s scheduling from April 11 to May 18 ensures a packed calendar, with Rawalpindi hosting 11 matches, Lahore 13, Karachi 5, and Multan 5.
Captaincy highlights
Leadership will play a pivotal role in PSL 2025, with captains bringing distinct flavors to their teams. Shadab Khan, Islamabad’s spin-bowling all-rounder, aims to repeat last season’s triumph. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Lahore’s pace spearhead, seeks redemption after a lackluster 2024. David Warner, Karachi’s new skipper, brings a wealth of experience as an Australian batting legend, marking his PSL debut. Mohammad Rizwan, Multan’s wicketkeeper-batter, continues his steady reign, while Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting maestro, leads Peshawar with finesse. Saud Shakeel, Quetta Gladiator’s captain, brings his composed leadership and batting prowess to the fore, shaping the team’s fortunes as the tournament begins tomorrow, April 11, 2025.
Also READ: PSL 2025: Best playing XI of Quetta Gladiators ft. Saud Shakeel
Complete squads of all teams
1. Islamabad United
- Captain: Shadab Khan
- Squad: Matthew Short, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Ali Agha, Haider Ali, Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Mohammad Nawaz, Rumman Raees, Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Riley Meredith, Rassie van der Dussen
- Key players: Naseem Shah (pace spearhead), Shadab Khan (all-rounder and leader), Jason Holder (experienced overseas all-rounder), Colin Munro (explosive opener).
2. Lahore Qalandars
- Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Daryl Mitchell, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza, Kusal Perera, Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, David Wiese, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Akhlaq, Rishad Hossain, Muhammad Naeem, Salman Ali Mirza, Tom Curran, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Azab
- Key players: Shaheen Afridi (premier fast bowler), Fakhar Zaman (aggressive opener), Daryl Mitchell (new overseas signing).
3. Karachi Kings
- Captain: David Warner
- Squad: David Warner, Hasan Ali, James Vince, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Aamer Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Litton Das, Mir Hamza, Kane Williamson, Mirza Mamoon, Imtiaz Mohammad Nabi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Adam Milne, Abbas Afridi
- Key players: David Warner (experienced leader), Kane Williamson (classy batter), Hasan Ali (key pacer).
4. Multan Sultans
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Chris Jordan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Josh Little, David Willey, Usama Mir, Khurram Shahzad, Tayyab Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Johnson Charles, Ubaid Shah, Gudakesh Motie, Mohammad Ali, Faisal Akram, Simon Katich
- Key players: Mohammad Rizwan (consistent performer), Iftikhar Ahmed (middle-order firepower), Josh Little (Irish pace sensation).
5. Peshawar Zalmi
- Captain: Babar Azam
- Squad: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Mitchell Owen, Mohammad Ali, Hussain Talat, Nahid Rana, Abdul Samad, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufyan Moqim, Max Bryant, Najibullah Zadran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat
- Key players: Babar Azam (top batter), Saim Ayub (emerging star), Alzarri Joseph (fiery pacer).
6. Quetta Gladiators
- Captain: Not explicitly confirmed in available data (historically Rilee Rossouw or Sarfaraz Ahmed; likely one of them based on past seasons unless updated)
- Squad: Finn Allen, Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf, Kyle Jamieson, Laurie Evans, Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Kusal Mendis, Hasan Nawaz
- Key players: Rilee Rossouw (dynamic batter), Finn Allen (explosive opener), Shoaib Malik (veteran all-rounder).
