The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 is gearing up for its 8th season, set to commence on February 13th at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. The opening match will see the reigning champions, Lahore Qalandars, take on last season’s runner-up, Multan Sultans. In this article, we’ll provide predictions, previews, betting tips, and odds for PSL 2023.
PSL 2023 Winner Prediction: Multan Sultans
For the upcoming season, we predict that the Multan Sultans will emerge as the champions of PSL 2023. Led by wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, the Sultans had an outstanding performance in the last season, finishing as the top team in the league stage, winning 9 out of their 10 matches.
The Multan Sultans have bolstered their squad for the upcoming season with some significant additions, including David Miller, Josh Little, Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard, and Wayne Parnell. These new additions make the Sultans squad look even stronger than before. The outright odds for Multan Sultans at Betway currently stand at 4.50 to lift the PSL trophy this year, reflecting their status as strong contenders.
Underdog Team: Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi is our underdog pick for PSL 2023, particularly with the inclusion of Babar Azam as their captain. Babar Azam is known for his strong T20 cricket acumen, and with a quality squad at his disposal, he has the potential to make things happen for his team.
Rovman Powell and Bhanuka Rajapaksa are notable new additions to the Zalmi squad, bringing additional firepower. Mohammad Haris, who played five matches in the last season and scored 166 runs at a strike rate of 186.51, is expected to be a crucial batter for the Zalmi side. Additionally, Salman Irshad, the leading wicket-taker from the previous season with 15 wickets, will be a key asset for the team. Peshawar Zalmi has the potential to surprise everyone and emerge as strong contenders in PSL 2023.
PSL 2023 Teams
The 2023 season of the Pakistan Super League will feature six teams, with Multan Sultans being the newest addition to the league, making their debut in the 2017 season. The six PSL teams participating in the 2023 season are:
- Islamabad United
- Quetta Gladiators
- Karachi Kings
- Lahore Qalandars
- Peshawar Zalmi
- Multan Sultans
PSL 2023 League Format
The Pakistan Super League follows a double round-robin and playoffs format. During the league stage, each team plays against the other five teams twice, resulting in a total of 30 matches.
At the conclusion of the league stage, the top 4 teams in the points table advance to the playoffs. The playoff stage consists of four matches, including 2 Eliminators, 1 Qualifier, and the Final.
The top two teams will face off in the Qualifier match, with the winner earning direct entry into the final. The third and fourth-ranked teams will compete in the 1st Eliminator. The team that loses the Qualifier and the winner of the 1st Eliminator will battle it out in the 2nd Eliminator match.
Ultimately, the victors of the 1st Qualifier and 2nd Eliminator matches will square off in the PSL 2023 Final to determine the champion.
PSL 2023 Venues
PSL 2023 will host a total of 34 matches, spread across four venues in the cities of Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. This marks an expansion from the previous season, which was held at only two venues.
PSL 2023 promises to be an exciting and highly competitive season, with Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi emerging as potential frontrunners. The league format, featuring a comprehensive playoff structure, ensures thrilling cricket action for fans across Pakistan and beyond. With matches taking place at multiple venues, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an extensive display of talent in one of the most celebrated T20 leagues in the world.
