Picture Credit: Twitter/@TheRealPCB

Picture Credit: Twitter/@TheRealPCB

Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to return for its eighth season on 9 February 2023, as per Pakistan Cricket Board’s press release. The tournament will then conclude with the final scheduled to take place on 19 March 2023. 


The tournament will be hosted across four venues, like the PSL 2020. Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi will host the matches in the eighth edition of the tournament. The discussions regarding the upcoming season took place at the Governing Council meeting at the National High-Performance Centre in Lahore on September 3, 2022.


The upcoming edition of the PSL holds special importance as PCB wants fans to come in big numbers when the ticket sale starts, to show solidarity towards the victims of the flood.  “As cricket unites our proud nation, we stand firmly with the victims and all those involved in​ the flood relief and rescue operations,” Ramiz Raja was quoted. 


“As a responsible and caring organisation, the PCB has always stood with its fans and public in tough, challenging and testing times,” added Raja. “In this regard, we have decided to donate gate proceeds from the first T20I against England ​next month to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.”


Talking about the new PSL season, Ramiz Raja, a few months back had floated an idea about moving away from the drafts to an IPL-like auction system to allow more revenue and bring in more players in the league.


While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Raja had said, "We need to create new properties to be financially independent. We have nothing for now but the PSL and ICC funds. There's an argument over the model from next year; I want to switch it to an auction model from next year. The market forces are conducive, but we'll sit down with the franchise owners to discuss it."


"This is a game of money. When the cricket economy grows in Pakistan, our respect will rise. The main driver of that financial economy is the PSL. If we take the PSL to auction model, increase the purse, then I'll put it in the IPL bracket. And then we'll see who goes to play the IPL over the PSL", he statement further read.


Talking about last year's edition, it was preponed to January because of Australia’s Pakistan tour in March. Lahore Qalandars emerged victorious in the seventh edition of the tournament, beating Multan Sultans in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.