The six franchises will play 34 matches in PSL 2023 (also known as PSL 8), across Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Following a double round-robin league, the top four teams will feature in the playoffs. After the Qualifier and the two Eliminators, the final will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 19.

Before that, there will be three exhibition matches in Rawalpindi, in the afternoon on March 8, 10, and 11, ahead of PSL matches at the same venues later that night. on the same

PSL 2023 draft: Full squad list for each team after the draft

PSL 2023 captains: Full list of skippers for each Pakistan Super League side

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan

Having breached the 1,000-run barrier in T20Is in both 2021 and 2022, Rizwan provides solidity as the top order and adds balance to the Sultans by keeping wicket. In all Twenty20 cricket, he has struck at only 125 for his 6,064 runs, but his role is often to bat deep into the innings.

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Few sights are as exhilarating as a fully fit Afridi steaming in to bowl. Last year, he became the youngest captain to win the PSL. The spearhead of the Pakistan attack, Afridi has 176 Twenty20 wickets while going for 7.61 an over. He takes a wicket every 16 balls.

Karachi Kings: Imad Wasim

A Twenty20 veteran, Imad has wheeled through the middle overs at 6.50 an over, while taking 248 wickets in 282 matches. He also has 2,599 runs at 124, and is going to be key for Karachi this season.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam

The Pakistan captain has 3,355 runs in T20Is, while his Twenty20 tally is 8,549 runs (at 128). In 2020, he led the Karachi Kings to their maiden PSL title, and was named Player of the Match in the Qualifier and the Final as well as Player of the Tournament. He has now replaced Wahab Riaz as Peshawar Zalmi captain.

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfaraz had led the Gladiators to the final in the first two editions of the PSL. In the fourth season, he finally led them to title success. A key player of the squad, he has 3,967 runs at 128 as well as 183 dismissals.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan

The vice-captain and arguably the most important player of the Pakistan T20I side, Shadab has 2,088 runs at 137 to go with 258 wickets at 7.23 an over. At international level, that batting strike rate reads 144 and the economy 7.03.