History of the Pakistan Super League

Final Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The inaugural PSL season was held entirely in the UAE (Dubai and Sharjah) with 5 teams. Islamabad United emerged as the first champions, led by Andre Russell's all-round brilliance.

• •First-ever PSL match: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (Feb 4, 2016)
• •Andre Russell named Player of the Tournament
• •All matches held in Dubai and Sharjah due to security situation in Pakistan
• •5 founding franchises: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta

Final Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

PSL 2 was a landmark season — the final was held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, marking the first international cricket match in Pakistan since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team. Peshawar Zalmi won the title.

• •PSL final in Lahore — first international cricket in Pakistan since 2009
• •Kamran Akmal's explosive batting earned him Player of the Tournament
• •Peshawar Zalmi won by 58 runs in a dominant final performance
• •Quetta Gladiators reached their second consecutive final

Final Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

PSL 3 expanded with some matches in Pakistan (Lahore and Karachi). Islamabad United claimed their second title, with Luke Ronchi's batting proving decisive. Multan Sultans joined as the 6th team.

• •Multan Sultans debuted as PSL's 6th franchise
• •Matches in Lahore and Karachi — more cricket returning to Pakistan
• •Luke Ronchi's explosive batting (including a famous 48-ball century) earned the Player of the Tournament
• •Islamabad United became the first franchise to win multiple PSL titles

Final Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

More matches moved to Pakistan in PSL 4, with the playoff stage and final held in Karachi. Quetta Gladiators won their maiden title behind Shane Watson's legendary performances.

• •Shane Watson's Player of the Tournament campaign (8 fifties in 12 matches)
• •Quetta Gladiators won their first title, defeating Peshawar Zalmi
• •Entire playoff stage held in Karachi
• •Sarfaraz Ahmed's captaincy and keeping were instrumental in Quetta's run

Final Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

PSL 5 (2020) was planned as the first fully Pakistan-hosted season, but was halted by COVID-19 in March 2020 after the group stage. The remaining matches were completed in November 2020. Karachi Kings finally won their maiden title.

• •First PSL season scheduled entirely in Pakistan
• •COVID-19 halted the tournament in March 2020 — completed in November
• •Karachi Kings won their first title behind Babar Azam (Player of the Tournament)
• •Babar Azam's dominant run-scoring cemented his status as PSL's greatest batter

Final Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Held in a bio-secure bubble in Abu Dhabi and Karachi due to COVID-19 restrictions. Multan Sultans dominated from start to finish, winning their first title. Mohammad Rizwan was the standout performer.

• •Bio-secure bubble format due to COVID-19
• •Multan Sultans won their first title with a 47-run demolition in the final
• •Mohammad Rizwan's Player of the Tournament performance (500+ runs)
• •Split between Abu Dhabi (first half) and Karachi (second half)

Final Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Lahore Qalandars finally ended their title drought in PSL 7. After finishing last in 4 of the first 6 seasons, LQ's redemption arc was one of cricket's greatest underdog stories. Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front.

• •Lahore Qalandars won their FIRST-EVER title after years of heartbreak
• •Shaheen Shah Afridi's Player of the Tournament bowling (leading wicket-taker)
• •Entirely hosted in Pakistan (Lahore and Karachi)
• •One of cricket's greatest underdog-to-champion stories

Final Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Lahore Qalandars defended their title with a dramatic 1-run victory over Multan Sultans in the final — one of the closest finals in T20 league history. Fakhar Zaman's batting and Rashid Khan's spin were decisive.

• •Lahore Qalandars went back-to-back — won by just 1 run in the final
• •Fakhar Zaman named Player of the Tournament for his explosive batting
• •One of the closest PSL finals ever — Multan needed 2 off the last ball
• •Rashid Khan's masterclass in the final (3 wickets in the death overs)

Final Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Islamabad United reclaimed the title in PSL 9, winning their third championship. Shadab Khan's all-round brilliance earned him Player of the Tournament as he led with both bat and ball.

• •Islamabad United won their 3rd PSL title (tying Lahore for most titles)
• •Shadab Khan's Player of the Tournament all-round performance
• •Islamabad beat Multan Sultans by 2 wickets in a tense final
• •Multan Sultans reached their 4th final in 5 years

Final Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

PSL's 10th anniversary season (Season X) saw Lahore Qalandars win their third title, reclaiming the record for most championships. Shaheen Shah Afridi earned his second Player of the Tournament award.

• •Milestone 10th season (Season X) of the PSL
• •Lahore Qalandars won their 3rd title, reclaiming the record
• •Shaheen Shah Afridi earned his 2nd Player of the Tournament
• •Lahore defeated Islamabad United by 4 wickets in the final