Final phase of Pakistan Super League to be held in Lahore in November

1 Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) T20 cricket’s pre-eminent batsman is not a bludgeoner, but an aesthete. His shot making is so crisp, it takes the breath away. The season’s leading run-scorer. AP

2 Chris Lynn (Lahore Qalandars) Spoke in Abu Dhabi in November about looking forward to touring Pakistan for the first time. Judged on the way he played, he looked like he loved it. AFP

3 Shan Masood (Multan Sultans) Once a stodgy Test opener, now the go-getting captain of the PSL’s outstanding side. It has been quite the transformation for the Kuwait-born batsman. AFP

4 Ben Dunk (Lahore Qalandars) Forever blowing bubbles, and plundering opposition bowling attacks. His 99 not out in Lahore’s win over Karachi Kings was arguably the highlight of the tournament. EPA

5 Haider Ali (Peshawar Zalmi) Four innings of over 30 and a top score of 69 represented a breakthrough tournament for Peshawar’s new young star. Only 19, but being spoken about as a new national team recruit. AP

6 Ben Cutting (Quetta Gladiators) In his role the late middle-order, Cutting faced just 77 balls in the tournament. He sent 13 of them for six. He also took eight wickets for the outgoing champions. AFP

7 Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) Mature beyond his years. The 21-year-old was reliable with the ball, and a revelation with the bat. His haul of 263 was the fifth most in the league phase. AP

8 Sohail Tanvir (Multan Sultans) Still going strong, 12 years after dominating the first season of the Indian Premier League. His economy rate of 6.8 was the best of any seamer to bowl a significant amount of overs. AFP

9 Mohammed Amir (Karachi Kings) Almost as reliable with the ball as his teammate Babar Azam is with the bat. Only three bowlers managed more than his haul of 10 wickets, and he had a respectable economy, too. AFP

10 Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) No spinner managed as many wickets as the 10 the evergreen Tahir took for Multan. He will be 41 by the time the league can think about concluding, but he is still fit and firing. EPA

11 Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) The pick of the crop of young Pakistan fast-bowlers, in a competition renowned for the quality of that discipline. Second most wickets, and one of the most thrifty, as well. EPA

The final phase of the Pakistan Super League has been rescheduled for November 14 to 17, and will be played in Lahore.

The competition’s organisers had discussed relocating the remaining matches to the UAE.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has instead opted to stage the matches on home soil, at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic caused the tournament to be suspended on March 17, after it had reached its knockout stage.

It will now be played out in its original format, in Lahore on November 14, 15 and 17.

The qualifier between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings, and first eliminator, between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, will be a double-header.

Eliminator 2 will be played on the following day, with the event will conclude on Tuesday, November 17.

The window for the competition means it will be played between the end of the IPL in the UAE on November 10, and before the start of the Abu Dhabi T10, scheduled for November 19.

As such, it is unclear which overseas players will be available for which events. A number of players had been likely to feature in both the PSL and the T10 league.

Qalandars, the Lahore franchise who are in the PSL playoffs, also have a team in the T10 competition.

“The final four matches of the event will be played under Covid-19 protocols, including bio-secure bubble for the players, match officials and event-related staff,” a PSL statement said.

“The matches are currently planned to be held behind closed doors, though the situation will be closely monitored and will be reviewed in October.”

Pakistan's international players are just returning following weeks in a bio-secure bubble in England, which concluded with them halving the T20 series on Tuesday night.

“This announcement puts speculations to bed and provides absolute clarity and ample time for teams to plan and prepare for these crunch matches,” Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive, said.

“It was important at this stage to state our intent and lock these dates in the diary in the best interest of the teams and the tournament.

“The PCB was always keen and committed to hosting the remaining four matches as it believed an event of the magnitude of the HBL Pakistan Super League deserved a winner.

“We saw the excitement and buzz in the lead up to the competition earlier this year and look forward to promotional activations that will engage the fans once again.

“The hosting of the remaining four HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 matches also endorses Pakistan’s resilience in overcoming difficulties and challenges no matter what the nature.

“PCB is planning to hold its 2020-21 domestic season, which will include a number of age-group, men and women competitions, as well as home international series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.”