The 2024 Pakistan Super League (referred to as HBL PSL 9 for sponsorship reasons) was the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League. Established by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in 2015 as a franchise Twenty20 cricket league, it was played between six teams in a double round robin and page playoff system. The season took place across four cities in Pakistan from 17 February to 18 March 2024.
The Lahore Qalandars, the two times defending champions, were eliminated in the group stage with last position. In the final, Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans by 2 wickets, becoming first team to win the third title. A Sports was the official broadcaster for the season. Babar Azam and Usama Mir respectively achieved the awards for most runs and most wickets, while Shadab Khan was entitled Player of the Tournament.
Background
As the 2024 Pakistani general election and Ramadan 1445 AH were approaching, the Pakistan Cricket Board was concerned about the tournament. While they were planning to introduce two more teams into the league, they wanted to shift the tournament to the United Arab Emirates. However, the franchise owners opposed these plans citing the financial reasons.[2][3][4] There were proposals for the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar to host the matches but these did not succeed due to security issues.[5] On 6 February 2024, Mohsin Raza Naqvi was elected as the PCB chairman, who also took the responsibility to supervise the preparations for the tournament.[6][7]
The squads were finalized with the draft in Lahore on 13 December 2023, six days after the franchises announced their retained players.[8][9] A supplementary and replacement draft took place on 29 January 2024.[10][11]
The season's logo variant was revealed on 8 December 2023 with the nomenclature as HBL PSL 9,[a] or hashtag #HBLPSL9,[39] because HBL Pakistan has been its titular sponsor since the league's first season.[40] The title anthem "Khul Ke Khel" features Ali Zafar and Aima Baig.[41] Opening ceremony was held at Gaddafi stadium on 17 February.[42]
Trophy
The season's trophy, named Orion, was unveiled on 13 February 2024 at Polo Ground, Jilani Park, Lahore. It was made by Lahore-based Mahfooz Jewellers.[43][44]
Broadcast and media
Since previous rights concluded after a two-year run, a public merit-based tender for the broadcast and streaming rights was opened on 9 January 2024 for the next two years. ARY Digital Network renewed the broadcast rights with a 45 percent increased bid, and Walee Technologies won the streaming rights with a 113 percent increased bid.[b][48][49] While PCB revealed a list of global broadcasters on 16 February, this is the first season which PTV Sports would not broadcast due to not winning the tender.[50][51]
The winner and the runner-up teams were awarded with Rs.14crore and Rs.5.6crore respectively. Babar Azam and Usama Mir were presented with the Hanif Mohammad and Fazal Mahmood caps respectively with a complete installation of 6kW solar system for each. While Shadab Khan received Rs.30lakh for being Player of the Tournament, the other awards included Rs.35lakh cash prizes.[73][74][c]
Since KFC Pakistan was announced as a snack partner for the tournament on 17 February, people started criticizing the PCB, and hashtag #BoycottPSL became a social trending topic due to the original KFC's parent company Yum! Brands' affiliation with Pro-Israeli stances during the Gaza war and genocide.[77][78] Afterwards, the spectators also complained that they were barred to carry the Pro-Palestinian banners in the stadium.[79]
In another incident, fans were arrested for chanting slogans in support of Imran Khan during the matches.[80][81] This was notable because Imran Khan, a former cricketer, former prime minister, and a prominent political leader, was in jail at that time,[82] and referring to him was prohibited on Pakistani television and media.[83]
DRS error
Hawk-Eye, the technology used for the Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket, made a human error during the match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United. Inaccurate ball tracking data resulted in incorrect results, causing frustration among players and fans alike.[84]
↑ See Indian numbering system and Pakistani rupees. Comparing from the previous deal and keeping inflation in view, the TV rights worth Rs.630crore are 8% lower while the digital rights worth Rs.187.5crore[45] are 32% higher;[46] at that time, US$1 was equivalent to Rs.281.22.[47]
↑ At that time, US$1 was equivalent to Rs.278.64.[75]
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