Pakistan Super League: Abu Dhabi to host remaining matches from June 9-24

Karachi Kings officials and players pose with the winning trophy after the final of the PSL 2020 in Pakistan. Image Credit: AP

Kolkata: Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United will set the ball rolling for the remaining 20 matches of the sixth edition of HBL Pakistan Super League, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from June 9-24. All matches will be played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the fixtures on Thursday, paving the way for the tournament to resume after it was suspended in Pakistan in March following a few positive cases of COVID-19 in the teams. There will be five double headers to complete the tournament within a 15-day window.

All six franchise owners, meanwhile, have pulled their weight behind the PSL and the Pakistan Cricket Board who fought off on a number of challenges to put to the event together.

Salman Iqbal, owner of reigning champions Karachi Kings, said in a statement: "We all need to understand these are unprecedented and evolving times. What remains unchanged is that this is Pakistan's league and it is our collective obligation that we make it a success. I am happy that after days of hard work and overcoming unexpected challenges, the league is ready to resume on June 9. Let's all get behind this and help this brand get stronger and bigger than ever."

Ali Naqvi of Islamabad United said:"I am delighted that after days of hard work and overcoming all surprises, we are now ready to resume the tournament on 9 June. Nothing comes easy in life, and I think this event has tested the patience, crisis management and event planning skills of the PCB as well as all the team owners to the limits.''

Lahore Qalandars' COO Sameen Rana said : "Throughout the process, we worked collectively as it is our league and it is our collective responsibility to make it a success."