The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Sunday the prize money that will be awarded to the franchise that wins the coveted 24-carat “Supernova Trophy” in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The winning team will lift the Supernova Trophy as well as walk away with a cheque of Rs120 million, while the runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs48m.
In PSL 2022, the winning team was awarded Rs80 million, While the runner-up was awarded Rs32 million.
The opening ceremony of PSL 8 will be held in Multan tomorrow (Monday) prior to the tournament opener between 2021 winners Multan Sultans and defending champions Lahore Qalandars.
The closing ceremony and final will be played on March 19 in Lahore, where the playoffs will also be held.
The Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles; meanwhile, Islamabad United will aim to become the most successful side by lifting the trophy thrice.
All six franchises have won the PSL title at least once, showcasing the teams’ quality and the higher level of competition in the tournament.
Islamabad United won the title in 2016 and 2018. Peshawar Zalmi won the 2017 edition. Quetta Gladiators, who were the finalists in the first two editions, won the 2019 competition. Karachi Kings were the first side to win to lift the trophy at their home when they eased past Lahore Qalandars in Karachi in 2020. Multan Sultans bagged their maiden title in 2021. Last year, Lahore Qalandars lifted the PSL trophy in Lahore.
The PSL 8 will be held in two legs with Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Cricket Arena splitting matches from February 13-26 before the action shifts to the Gaddafi Stadium and Pindi Cricket Stadium where the matches will be played from February 26 to March 19. This includes the Qualifier, two Eliminators and the final at the home of Pakistan cricket from March 15-19.
Rawalpindi will stage 11 fixtures, Karachi and Lahore will host nine matches each, whereas Multan will have five home games.
Afternoon matches will start at 2pm local time; meanwhile, evening matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will start at 7pm. Evening matches in Multan will begin at 6pm except for the tournament opener, which will commence at 8pm.
The soft launch of the Pakistan Women’s League will also take place during the PSL 8 when three exhibition matches will be played in the lead-up to the men’s matches in Rawalpindi on March 8, 10 and 11. The two women’s sides are expected to comprise leading local and foreign players, details of which will be announced in due course.
