PSL 2018 Kicks Off with Six Teams and Fresh Excitement
The Pakistan Super League really found its groove in 2018. For the first time, the tournament featured six competing squads, thanks to the arrival of Multan Sultans alongside long-time favorites Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi. This third installment of the league widened the talent pool and ramped up the competition. The season, branded as PSL 2018 and sponsored by HBL, stretched from 22 February to 25 March, delivering a month packed with drama on and off the field.
The bulk of the action unfolded under the floodlights of Dubai and Sharjah during the group stages. Multan Sultans didn’t waste any time making a splash, toppling the defending champs Peshawar Zalmi in the curtain-raiser. Karachi Kings signaled their intent too, cruising past Quetta Gladiators in their opener. Each match had a little extra at stake this year, with every team desperate to grab a place in the much-anticipated playoffs in Pakistan.
Playoffs Hit Pakistan and Karachi Lives Up to the Hype
When the crunch games moved from the UAE to Lahore and Karachi, fans in Pakistan lapped up the action. Ticket demand went through the roof for the grand finale in Karachi—every seat was gone just 15 hours after sales opened. The vibe in the National Stadium was electric, with thousands witnessing cricket's return to the city in a big way after years of international isolation. Across 34 matches, a total of 398,765 people filled venues, averaging nearly 12,000 spectators per match. That’s serious proof that Pakistan Super League was capturing more hearts each year.
Nothing matched the intensity of the title showdown: Islamabad United versus Peshawar Zalmi. It was a final full of swings and missed chances, but Islamabad United, who had been sharp all season, outlasted the defending champs to claim their second PSL trophy. Luke Ronchi, Islamabad’s livewire opener, dominated the tournament. His 435 runs set a new standard for overseas players in the league—he was a clear-cut Player of the Tournament. Faheem Ashraf of Islamabad and Wahab Riaz of Peshawar went neck-and-neck in the bowling charts, each finishing with 18 wickets and earning plenty of cheers for their match-turning spells.
As the dust settled, PSL 2018 left no doubt: cricket’s star power was back and stronger than ever in Pakistan. The league gave fans record runs, packed stadiums, and a reason to dream big for the seasons ahead. The six-team, dual-country format brought more homegrown excitement and international attention, laying down a marker for T20 leagues everywhere.
