Which cities will host PSL-9 clashes?

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9 matches will be played in four major cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi — said well-placed sources on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised the cities to host the much-awaited league where more than 450 overseas along with many home-grown players would be showcasing their talents.

According to the proposed schedule by the national cricketing body, the first match would take place on February 19 in Lahore. However, an objection has been raised by the franchises that the cold weather and the possible fog situation may make it difficult for the teams to stay, train, and play there.

Peshawar Zalmi continues to press the cricketing body to add Peshawar to its venue list while consistently assuring PCB that the remaining work on the stadium will be finished within two months.

Despite their reassurances, the PCB has not yet made any decision on the inclusion of the city in their list of host cities.

Another matter was being raised by the franchises, and that was the proposed final scheduled to take place in Karachi on March 19. The teams fear that the crowd may not show up at their full capacity which could affect the ticket revenue.

Multan Sultans, the winners of the 2021 PSL, suggested a possible solution to this concern by offering to host the final in the Multan Cricket Stadium, they have also shown their confidence that they would be able to attract enough audience to fill the ground.

It is worth mentioning that the PCB intends to announce the official schedule on December 13, the same as the PSL 9 Draft would take place.

The cricket body released the list of all the retained players by all six franchises on Thursday where many big and important names were not kept by their franchises.

Islamabad had the first pick in Platinum which they traded with Quetta in exchange for in-demand pacer Naseem Shah along with two players, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Junior.

Quetta then continued the trade process and brought back Rilee Russouw in a swap deal with the Multan where Iftikhar Ahmed, along with the first pick in Platinum, went to the 2021 PSL winners.

Multan now has the first pick in the Platinum round as well as Silver.