HBL PSL-5 set to make historic start on 20th

The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) returns with the historic fifth edition set to be played in Pakistan from 20th February to 22nd March 2020. This edition will be the first one to be played in Pakistan in its entirety.

Since the advent of the league in 2016, the tournament has gradually moved to Pakistan with this year's edition nothing less than leapfrog for the coveted league.

The first edition that included five teams was played entirely in the UAE; the second edition saw the first step towards its homecoming with the final between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The 2018 edition was the first instance that two Pakistani cities hosted the HBL PSL matches. Lahore was host to two play-offs while Karachi staged the final in which Islamabad United prevailed against defending champions Peshawar Zalmi. It was also in this very season that Multan Sultans was added as the sixth franchise.

The 2019 season had an unprecedented eight games in Pakistan. Karachi's National Stadium was the host to all matches, including the three play-offs and the final between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi which Quetta won convincingly to lift the prestigious HBL PSL trophy for the first time.

In PSL-2016, Islamabad United made history when they beat Quetta Gladiators in the final. The tournament was played on a double-league. Peshawar Zalmi topped the standings at the end of the round-robin stage but lost out on a place in the final after losing both their play-offs to Quetta and Islamabad, respectively.

In PSL-2017, Peshawar Zalmi outclassed Gladiators in one-sided final played at the Gaddafi Stadium to lift the glittering HBL PSL 2017 trophy. Zalmi maintained their consistent run and topped the table at the end of the round-robin stage for the second successive time.

In PSL-2018, Islamabad United won their second title by overcoming Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets in an exciting final match.

The PSL-2019 won by Quetta Gladiators as they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets in the 17 March final played at the National Stadium.

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