Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Under the floodlights of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the highly anticipated curtain-raiser of the tenth season of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL 10) saw Islamabad United winning the toss and electing to field first against Lahore Qalandars.
In a move echoing confidence, skipper Shadab Khan chose to chase under familiar conditions, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying season opener.
The rivalry between these two sides has grown into one of the most gripping in PSL history, and with 19 meetings behind them, the edge slightly tilts in United’s favor with 10 wins to Lahore’s 9.
That narrow margin only fuels the anticipation, as both teams look to make an early statement in their campaign for the silverware.
This season, six teams are in the field for a lucrative prize pool, with the champions pocketing a hefty $500,000.
The runners-up won’t walk away empty-handed either, with $200,000 waiting at the finish line.
As the tournament rolls out across four cities, Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium stands at the heart of the action, hosting 13 clashes including the crucial Qualifier, the Eliminator, and the grand finale slated for May 18.
Rawalpindi isn’t far behind, hosting 11 high-voltage encounters, while Multan and Karachi are set to welcome fans for five games apiece, each contributing to the vibrant rhythm of a PSL season that promises drama, talent, and unforgettable cricketing moments.
Teams
Islamabad United: Andries Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Agha, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan (captain), Jason Holder, Muhammad Shahzad, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith.
Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Naeem, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Asif Afridi.