2018 Pakistan Super League

{{Infobox cricket tournament

| name = Pakistan Super League 2018

| image = PSL.png

| fromdate = 22 February

| todate = 25 March 2018

| caption =

| administrator = Pakistan Cricket Board

| cricket format = Twenty20

| tournament format = Double round robin and playoffs

| host = {{ubl|United Arab Emirates|Pakistan}}

| champions = Islamabad United

| runner up = Peshawar Zalmi

| count = 2

| participants = 6

| matches = 34

| attendance =398765

| player of the series = Luke Ronchi (IU) (435 runs)

| most runs = Luke Ronchi (IU) (435)

| most wickets = Faheem Ashraf (IU)
Wahab Riaz (PZ) (18)

| website = [http://www.psl-t20.com/ psl-t20.com]

| previous_year = 2017

| previous_tournament = 2017 Pakistan Super League

| next_tournament =2019 Pakistan Super League

| next_year = 2019

}}

The 2018 Pakistan Super League (also known as PSL 3{{cite news|url=https://www.brecorder.com/2017/12/07/385215|title=Schedule announced for PSL3|work=Business Recorder|author=Hamza Khan|date=7 December 2017|access-date=8 December 2017}} or for sponsorship reasons, HBL PSL 2018) was the third season of the Pakistan Super League, a franchise Twenty20 cricket league which was established by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2015. It featured six teams, which was the first expansion of the league since its formation in 2015.{{cite news|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Cricket/399584|title=Wasim Akram bids adieu to Islamabad United|publisher=Dunya News|date=2 August 2017|access-date=5 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/psl-final-to-be-held-in-karachi-eliminators-in-lahore-4973012/|title=PSL final to be held in Karachi, eliminators in Lahore|work=The Indian Express|date=7 December 2017|access-date=7 December 2017}} The group stage took place in the United Arab Emirates, with two playoff matches played in Lahore and the final at the National Stadium, Karachi. The tickets for the final were sold out quickly, within fifteen hours.{{Cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/186437|author=Atique ur Rehman|date=15 March 2018|access-date=22 March 2019|publisher=Geo News|title=PSL 3 final tickets sell out within 15 hours}}

In the final match, the inaugural champions Islamabad United defeated the defending champions Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets in Karachi to win the title for a second time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128851|title=Ronchi, Shadab seal Islamabad's second PSL title|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-03-25}} Luke Ronchi of Islamabad United was named the Man of the Match of the Final, as well as the player of the tournament and also the leading run scorer, scoring 435 runs in the tournament.{{cite web |title=Leading run scorers |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12186;type=tournament |website=ESPNcricinfo}} Faheem Ashraf of Islamabad United was awarded the best bowler award; as both he and Wahab Riaz of Peshawar Zalmi took 18 wickets to lead the wicket-takers list.{{cite web |title=Leading wicket takers |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12186;type=tournament |website=ESPNcricinfo}}

Background

After the success of holding the previous tournament's final at the Gaddafi Stadium,{{cite web |title='Pakistan Wins' as PSL Final Passes Off Peacefully |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/pakistan-wins-as-psl-final-passes-off-peacefully-1666520 |website=NDTV Sports}} the PCB decided to play eight games of PSL 3 in Pakistan.{{cite web |title=Pakistan to host 3 PSL games next year |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/253759-pakistan-to-host-3-psl-games-next-year |website=The News}} In addition the PCB chairman Najam Sethi confirmed there would be a sixth team being added in the 2018 edition,{{cite web |title=Sethi confirms addition of sixth team, increased matches in PSL3 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1378050/sethi-confirms-addition-sixth-team-increased-matches-psl3 |website=The express tribune}} with the idea having previously been rejected in 2017.{{cite web |title=Franchises prevent entry of sixth team in PSL |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1258997 |website=Dawn}} There was much interest in what the sixth team would be, with the PCB shortlisting Hyderabad, Dera Murad Jamali, FATA, Faisalabad and Multan.{{cite web |title=PCB shortlists five possible regions for 6th team in PSL 3 |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/139852-PCB-shortlists-five-possible-regions-as-6th-team-in-PSL-3 |website=Geo}} In the end, the winning party was Multan with Schön Properties paying $5.2 million a year.{{cite web |title=Pakistan Super League gets sixth team |url=https://arynews.tv/en/pakistan-super-league-gets-sixth-team/ |website=ARY}}

Ceremonies

=Opening ceremony=

In the opening ceremony, which was hosted in Dubai, American pop singer Jason Derulo featured alongside Pakistani singers including Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar and Shehzad Roy. Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf hosted the ceremony. The ceremony also featured the Pakistani Sachal Orchestra and a firework display,{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/1.2173493|title=Jason Derulo, Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar in Dubai|date=14 February 2018|access-date=14 February 2018|work=Gulf News|author=Manjusha Radhakrishnan}} with a teaser of Zafar's first Pakistani film Teefa in Trouble also being shown.{{cite news|author=Saljooq Altaf|title=PSL Opening Ceremony 2018: Ali Zafar channels his inner James Bond in 'Teefa in Trouble'|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1642033/4|access-date=23 February 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=22 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1391015|title=Music, festivities and fireworks aplenty at PSL 2018 opening ceremony in Dubai|work=Dawn|access-date=22 February 2018|date=22 February 2018}}

=Closing ceremony=

The Closing ceremony took place at National Stadium, Karachi, on 25 March ahead of the final. The ceremony was hosted by Bilal Ashraf, with Pakistani singers Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy, Strings, Aima Baig and Farhan Saeed performing live in front of 33,000 people in the stadium.{{Cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/187782|title=Ali Zafar, Shehzad Roy, Strings, Aima and Farhan Saeed to headline PSL closing ceremony|publisher=Geo News|date=24 March 2018|access-date=24 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/296747|title=Karachi's love for cricket shines as fans walk miles to watch PSL final|publisher=The News|access-date=26 March 2018}}{{cite news|title=Music and festivities as PSL 2018's grand finale kicks off in Karachi|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1397479|access-date=27 March 2018|work=Dawn|date=25 March 2018}}

Teams and squads

The 2018 PSL featured six team franchises, with five teams that appeared in previous seasons; and a new team based in Multan.

The player draft for the 2018 season was held in Lahore on 12 November 2017. 501 players, including both Pakistani and international players, were divided into five different categories. Each franchise was allowed to pick a maximum of seven foreign players in their squads, which could have a maximum of 21 members.{{cite news|author=Faizan Lakhani|title=PCB allows PSL teams to increase salary cap|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/167416|publisher=Geo News|date=13 November 2017|access-date=14 November 2017}}{{cite news|author=Umar Farooq|title=PSL squad limit raised from 20 to 21|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21401054|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 November 2017|access-date=14 November 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://karachinewstv.com/pakistan-seuper-league-2018/|title=Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 Trophy unveiled|date=20 February 2018|work=Karachi News Tv|access-date=27 February 2018|language=en-US}}

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valign=top|

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Officials

The panel of officials for the tournament consisted of eight umpires and two match referees. Aleem Dar, Ranmore Martinesz and Tim Robinson stood in matches during the tournament. Pakistani umpires Ahmed Shahab, Shozab Raza, Rashid Riaz, Khalid Mehmood and Asif Yaqoob were also part of the panel as well. The match referees panel consisted of former Sri Lankan ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama and Pakistani match referee Mohammad Anees.{{Cite news|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/32994|title=Richard Illingworth to umpire in Pakistan Super League|date=25 January 2017|access-date=22 March 2019|work=Daily Times}}

Venues

Like the 2016 and 2017 seasons, most of the matches of 2018 season were played in the UAE. However, the playoffs and final took place in Pakistan; they were played in Lahore and Karachi.{{cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/171138|title=PSL 2018: League starts Feb 22, final to be played in Karachi|date=7 December 2017|author=Faizan Lakhani|access-date=7 December 2017|publisher=Geo News}} Each foreign cricketer who played matches in the country was paid an extra {{US$|10,000}} for each of these matches.{{cite news|url=https://abbtakk.tv/en/peshawar-zalmi-signs-2-chinese-cricketers-for-psl-season-3|title=Psh Zalmi Signs 2 Chinese Cricketers for PSL Season 3|publisher=Abb Takk News|date=20 October 2017|access-date=20 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1361203|title=PCB to offer $10,000 per match in Pakistan to foreign PSL players|author=Abdul Ghaffar|work=Dawn|date=1 October 2017|access-date=5 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/sports/three-foreign-players-confirmed-for-psl-3rd-edition-pcb/|title=Three foreign players confirmed for PSL 3rd edition: PCB|author=Dawood Rehman|work=Daily Pakistan|date=1 October 2017|access-date=5 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1364416|title=Karachi likely to host two PSL matches in 2018|date=17 October 2017|access-date=20 October 2017|author=Abdul Ghaffar|work=Dawn}}

The International Cricket Council security team visited National Stadium, Karachi, on 23 October, to ensure its condition.{{cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/164016|title=ICC security expert meets IGP, CM Sindh in Karachi|date=23 October 2017|author=Atique ur Rehman|access-date=23 October 2017|publisher=Geo News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/164108|title=First step taken towards revival of cricket in Karachi: Sethi|date=23 October 2017|author=Faizan Lakhani|access-date=23 October 2017|publisher=Geo News}}{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1539207/7|title=ICC's security watchdogs happy with National Stadium of Karachi's arrangements|date=23 October 2017|author=Nabil Tahir|access-date=23 October 2017|work=The Express Tribune}} The chairman of the PCB Najam Sethi was quoted on 22 November saying "that the renovation of stadium will be completed in February 2018, to host the PSL Final." The tickets for the final were sold out within 3 hours.{{cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2017/11/national-stadium-ready-psl-final-february-sethi/|title=National Stadium to be ready for PSL final in February: Sethi|date=22 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|publisher=Samaa TV}}

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center; font-size:90%"
colspan=2\|United Arab Emirates !colspan=2\|Pakistan
Dubai !Sharjah !Lahore !Karachi
Dubai International Cricket Stadium \|Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium \|Gaddafi Stadium \|National Stadium
Capacity: 25,000 \|Capacity: 15,000 \|Capacity: 27,000 \|Capacity: 34,228
125px \|125px \|125px \|125px
colspan=2 \| {{location map+ \|United Arab Emirates\|float=center\|width=270 \|caption= \|places= {{Location map~\|United Arab Emirates\|lat_deg=25\|lat_min=2\|lon_deg=55\|lon_min=13\|position=left\|background=\|label=Dubai}} {{Location map~\|United Arab Emirates\|lat_deg=25\|lat_min=19\|lon_deg=55\|lon_min=25\|position=left\|background=\|label=Sharjah}} }} ! colspan=2 \| {{Location map+\|Pakistan \|width=300\|float=right\|caption= \|places= {{Location map~\|Pakistan\|lat_deg=31\|lat_min=33\|lon_deg=74\|lon_min=20\|position=left\|background=\|label=Lahore}} {{Location map~\|Pakistan\|lat_deg=24\|lat_min=51\|lon_deg=67\|lon_min=0\|position=left\|background=\|label=Karachi}} }}

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center; font-size:90%"

colspan=2|United Arab Emirates

!colspan=2|Pakistan

Dubai International Cricket Stadium

|Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium

|Gaddafi Stadium

|National Stadium

Capacity: 25,000

|Capacity: 15,000

|Capacity: 27,000

|Capacity: 34,228

125px

|125px

colspan=2 |

{{location map+ |United Arab Emirates|float=center|width=270 |caption= |places=

{{Location map~|United Arab Emirates|lat_deg=25|lat_min=2|lon_deg=55|lon_min=13|position=left|background=|label=Dubai}}

{{Location map~|United Arab Emirates|lat_deg=25|lat_min=19|lon_deg=55|lon_min=25|position=left|background=|label=Sharjah}}

}}

! colspan=2 |

{{Location map+|Pakistan |width=300|float=right|caption= |places=

{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=31|lat_min=33|lon_deg=74|lon_min=20|position=left|background=|label=Lahore}}

{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=24|lat_min=51|lon_deg=67|lon_min=0|position=left|background=|label=Karachi}}

}}

Promotion in media

The league was promoted on social media by the hashtag #HBLPSL 2018, due to its three-year contract (2016–18) with HBL Pakistan for title sponsorship. Also, the six teams are promoted by #AbKhel6Ka.{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1424861/m|title=Multan becomes PSL's sixth team|date=1 June 2017|access-date=16 October 2017|work=The Express Tribune}} It was also promoted by #DilSeJaanLagaDe, the hashtag for the league's official anthem by Ali Zafar.{{cite news|url=http://nation.com.pk/29-Dec-2017/ali-zafar-strikes-hat-trick-with-psl-anthem|title=Ali Zafar strikes hat-trick with PSL anthem|date=29 December 2017|access-date=30 December 2017|work=The Nation}}{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1596616/4|title=Ali Zafar strikes a hat-trick with official PSL anthem|date=30 December 2017|access-date=30 December 2017|work=The Express Tribune}}

Season standings

= Points table =

Notes:

C = Champions;
R = Runner-up;
(x) = Position at the end of the tournament;

League stage

The league stage of the tournament ran from 22 February to 16 March 2018.{{cite web|title=HBL PSL 2018: Fixtures/Results|url=http://www.psl-t20.com/hbl-psl-2018-fixtures/|website=psl-t20.com|publisher=Pakistan Super League}}

=Summary=

==Week 1==

The month long tournament began on 22 February between the defending champions, Peshawar Zalmi and the new team the Multan Sultans. Peshawar batted first and, despite losing a wicket in the second over, went on to score 151/6 with Mohammed Hafeez top-scoring with 59 runs. The Sultans chased the score down, losing just 3 wickets, giving them a 7 wicket win, and winning on their PSL debut.{{cite web |title=Multan Sultans beat Peshawar Zalmi in first PSL 2018 clash |url=https://arynews.tv/en/psl-2018-multan-sultan-peshawar-zalmi/ |website=ARY}} The first double-header of the group stage saw wins for Karachi and Multan by 19 and 43 runs respectively.{{cite web |title=Karachi Kings start mission PSL with a victory over Quetta Gladiators |url=https://arynews.tv/en/karachi-kings-quetta-gladiators-first-match-psl-3/ |website=ARY}}{{cite web |title=Junaid, Tahir spearhead Sultans to second successive win |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/183298-lahore-qalandars-take-on-multan-sultans-in-punjab-derby-tonight |website=Geo News}} The Multan win brought up an interesting stat which was that both of the first two PSL hat tricks took place in Dubai, on a Friday, under Shoaib Malik's captaincy, against the Lahore Qalandars.{{cite web |title=Interesting Hat-trick fact |url=https://www.greenteam92.com/psl/psl-2018/5-unbelievable-facts-you-dont-know-about-hat-tricks-in-psl/ |website=Green Team}} The next four games were all one-sided; in the first the defending champions Peshawar restricted Islamabad to 149/9 from Islamabad's 20 overs, to get their first win of the tournament with Umaid Asif taking a 4-fer (4 wicket haul) on debut for Zalmi.{{cite web |title=Game 4 scorecard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO43253 |website=BBC Sport}} On the same day, the Quetta Gladiators quickly chased down 119 inside 14 overs against the Lahore Qalandars.{{cite web |title=PSL 2018: Quetta Gladiators crush Lahore Qalandars by 9 wickets, 6 overs to spare |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Cricket/429062-Lahore-Qalandars-Quetta-Gladiators-match-5-PSL-2018- |website=Dunya News}} In the sixth game, the Multan Sultans' winning run came to an end against Islamabad United. In the game, the Sultans were all out for 113 with United winning by 5 wickets.{{cite web |title=Hussain Talat leads Islamabad United to victory against Multan Sultans |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1391656/psl-2018-islamabad-united-wreck-multan-sultans-top-order |website=Dawn}} In the next game despite Dwayne Smith's 71 not out, the Karachi Kings chased down 131 to beat Peshawar by 5 wickets.{{cite web |title=Karachi Kings go top of PSL 2018 points table with five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1391664 |website=Dawn}} At Dubai, the rivals Lahore and Karachi faced off, Lahore's poor form continued as they lost their third consecutive game in the tournament with Karachi winning by 27 runs and Shahid Afridi taking 3-19.{{cite web |title=PSL 3: Lahore Qalandars crumble against Karachi Kings |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1391876 |website=Dawn}} In the final game of week 1, which was the first game of the tournament in Sharjah, the Gladiators won comfortably by 6 wickets against Islamabad.{{cite web |title=Game 6 scorecard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO43258 |website=BBC Sport}}

==Week 2==

The second week began dramatically, with Peshawar having a batting collapse to fall to 125/5 in their innings against the Quetta Gladiators in Sharjah. In next the Zalmi captain Daren Sammy, who was earlier taken off with an injury, came out and hit two sixes and a four to get Zalmi a win.{{cite web |title=PSL: Darren Sammy braves injury to guide Peshawar Zalmi to victory |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/psl-darren-sammy-braves-injury-to-guide-peshawar-zalmi-to-victory-1180686-2018-03-02 |website=India Today}} After game 11 between Multan and Karachi in Sharjah was abandoned at the toss,{{cite web |title=11th Match (D/N), Sharjah, Mar 2 2018, Pakistan Super League |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/scorecard/1128828/multan-sultans-vs-karachi-kings-11th-match-pakistan-super-league-2017-18 |website=ESPNcricinfo}} the other game on the day was also hosted at Sharjah. The game between Lahore and Islamabad was the first in PSL history at that point, to finish with a super over as both teams were tied on 121. In Lahore's over they finished with 15/1, while in Islamabad's over they got 19 winning the game with a last ball 6.{{cite web |title=Islamabad United break Lahore Qalandars' hearts following PSL's first-ever super over |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1392748 |website=Dawn}} The game after was more straightforward, with an Imran Tahir hat-trick downing Quetta and giving Multan the win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/184440|title=Tahir hat-trick guides Multan to easy win over Quetta|publisher=Geo News|access-date=4 March 2018}} The game after made history as the first ever 10 wicket win in the PSL,{{cite web |title=Largest wins |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2016-17/engine/records/team/largest_margins.html?id=205;type=trophy |website=ESPNcricinfo}} as Peshawar Zalmi chased down 101 without losing a wicket.{{cite web |title=Dawn |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1392951 |website=More misery for Lahore Qalandars, suffer 10-wicket defeat at Peshawar Zalmi's hands}} The next day, Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by 8 wickets with help from a Luke Ronchi 71.{{cite web |title=SLU vs KK, 15th Match, Pakistan Super League PSL 2018, 04 March 2018 |url=https://www.cricingif.com/match/3532/islamabad-united-vs-karachi-kings-15th-match-2018/scorecard|website=Cricingif}} On the same day, a Sohaib Maqsood * carried the Multan Sultans' to another win against Peshawar Zalmi, this time by 19 runs.{{cite web |title=PSL 2018: Sohaib Maqsood's 86 guides Multan Sultans to win over Peshawar Zalmi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/psl-2018-sohaib-maqsood-s-86-guides-multan-sultans-to-win-over-peshawar-zalmi-1183588-2018-03-07 |website=India Today}} The day after Umar Gul rolled back the years taking 6/24 for the Multan Sultans', but the effort was in vain as the then Pakistan under 19 captain Hasan Khan hit a last over 6 to give Quetta a 2 wicket win.{{cite web |title=Hassan's heroic cameo steers Gladiators to dramatic win over Sultans |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/185240-unstoppable-multan-sultans-face-quetta-glahasans-heroic-cameo-steers-gladiators-to-dramatic-win-over-sultans-diators-tonight |website=Geo News}} The last day of week 2 saw a double-header, with both games being played at Dubai. In the first game a Luke Ronchi 77 helped Islamabad beat Lahore by 6 wickets,{{cite web |title=18th Match (D/N), Dubai (DSC), Mar 8 2018, Pakistan Super League |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/scorecard/1128835/islamabad-united-vs-lahore-qalandars-18th-match-pakistan-super-league-2017-18 |website=ESPNcricinfo}} while in the second game Quetta beat Karachi by 67 runs.{{cite web |title=Game 18 |url=https://www.skysports.com/live-scores/cricket/karachi-kings-v-quetta-gladiators/20978/stats |website=Sky Sports}} This was at the time the biggest win by runs in PSL history.{{cite web |title=Gladiators decimate Kings with record 67-run win |url=https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/185289 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054907/https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/185289 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-03-09 |website=Geo News}}

==Week 3==

Week 3 started with a Lahore win, as future Pakistan international Shaheen Shah Afridi took 5/4 in his 3.4 overs against the Multan Sultans.{{cite web |title=Another Afridi rises in Pakistan cricket, lights up PSL with figures of 3.4-1-4-5 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/another-afridi-rises-in-pakistan-cricket-lights-up-psl-with-magical-figures/story-06wsRPrBWPpZ16jTH7SvLM.html |website=Hindustan Times}} In game 21 despite 3/30 and 33 not out from Wahab Riaz, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 26 runs taking Islamabad to the top of the table.{{cite web |title=Duminy, Samit propel Islamabad to the top |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128838/peshawar-zalmi-vs-islamabad-united-21st-match-pakistan-super-league-2017-18 |website=ESPNcricinfo}} The day after was a double header, with a Joe Denly 78 from 55 balls helping the Karachi Kings to a comfortable win over Multan by 63 runs.{{cite web |title=PSL: Shahid Afridi, Joe Denly help Karachi Kings thrash Multan Sultans |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/psl-shahid-afridi-joe-denly-help-karachi-kings-thrash-multan-sultans-1186522-2018-03-10 |website=India Today}} The second game of the day involved Peshawar and Quetta, with a Sarfaraz Ahmed 45* guiding Quetta home with 6 wickets to spare and eliminating Lahore in the process.{{cite web |title=Sarfraz plays captain's innings as Quetta defeat Peshawar by six wickets |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1394400/sarfraz-plays-captains-innings-as-quetta-defeat-peshawar-by-six-wickets |website=Dawn}} A super over was needed again to separate Lahore and Karachi with them both being tied 163 after both of their 20 overs, in the end though Sunil Narine held his nerve to give Lahore their second win of the season.{{cite web |title=Narine's super over heroics gives Qalandars win |url=https://www.cricingif.com/news/11576/Narines-super-over-heroics-gives-Qalandars-win |website=Cricingif}} A crucial encounter followed 2 days later, with Islamabad and Multan facing off at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In the end though despite 73 off 47 from Kieron Pollard, Islamabad won by 33 runs meaning that they and Quetta both advanced to the playoffs.{{cite web |title=Luke Ron-key to Islamabad United's 33-run win over Multan Sultans |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1395014/luke-ron-key-to-islamabad-uniteds-33-run-win-over-multan-sultans |website=Dawn}} In game 26, Lahore continued their winning run against Quetta thanks to 94 off 50 from Fakhar Zaman.{{cite web |title=Fakhar Zaman's 94-run knock help Qalandars beat Quetta Gladiator |url=https://arynews.tv/en/lahore-qalandars-vs-quetta-gladiators/ |website=ARY}} The next day, Peshawar beat Karachi helped by 75 by Kamran Akmal and 3/17 from Liam Dawson keeping Peshawar in the tournament.{{cite web |title=Peshawar live to fight another day as Karachi fall short |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/186275-peshawar-zalmi-face-karachi-kings-in-do-or-die-clash |website=ARY}} Islamabad continued their winning run in game 28, ensuring that they finished at the top of the table by beating Quetta by 6 wickets.{{cite web |title=Ashraf, Duminy secure top spot for Islamabad |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128845/quetta-gladiators-vs-islamabad-united-28th-match-psl |website=ESPNcricinfo}}

==Week 4==

Week 4 only consisted of two games as the tournament moved from the League stage to the knockouts, in the penultimate game the Lahore Qalandars scored 172 in their innings against Peshawar.{{cite web |title=Penultimate game scorecard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO43278 |website=BBC Sport}} In response Kamran Akmal scored his 2nd century in the PSL becoming the first player to score two centuries in the history of the tournament, and guiding Peshawar into the playoffs with a win.{{cite web |title=Kamran Akmal scores first century of PSL 2018, helps Zalmi keep their campaign alive |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1395654 |website=Dawn}} While in the final game taking place on the same day Islamabad United collapsed to 121,{{cite web |title=Karachi Kings cruise into PSL playoffs after beating Islamabad by 7 wickets |url=https://arynews.tv/en/karachi-kings-islamabad-united-playoffs-psl/ |website=ARY}} allowing the Karachi Kings to claim a playoff spot and eliminate the Multan Sultans in the process.{{cite web |title=Usman, Afridi take Karachi through to playoffs |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128847/islamabad-united-vs-karachi-kings-30th-match-psl |website=espn cricinfo}}

=Table of results=

=League progression=

Fixtures

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 22 February 2018

| time = 22:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 151/6 (20 overs)

| score2 = 152/3 (19.1 overs)

| team2 = Multan Sultans

| runs1= Mohammad Hafeez 59 (52)

| wickets1 = Mohammad Irfan 2/19 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Kumar Sangakkara 57 (51)

| wickets2 = Wahab Riaz 2/19 (4 overs)

| result=Multan won by 7 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128818 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Tim Robinson (Eng) and Ahmed Shahab (Pak)

| motm = Kumar Sangakkara (Multan Sultans)

| toss = Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = Ibtisam Sheikh (Peshawar Zalmi) made his T20 debut.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = {{anchor|match2}}23 February 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 149/9 (20 overs)

| score2 = 130/9 (20 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Colin Ingram 41 (21)

| wickets1 = Shane Watson 3/22 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Umar Amin 31 (31)

| wickets2 = Imad Wasim 2/19 (4 overs)

| result = Karachi won by 19 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128819 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ranmore Martinesz (SL) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Colin Ingram (Karachi Kings)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 23 February 2018

| time = 21:00| daynight =

| team1 = Multan Sultans

| score1 = 179/5 (20 overs)

| score2 = 136 (17.2 overs)

| team2 = Lahore Qalandars

| runs1 = Kumar Sangakkara 63 (44)

| wickets1 = Mustafizur Rahman 2/22 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Fakhar Zaman 49 (30)

| wickets2 = Junaid Khan 3/24 (3 overs)

| result = Multan won by 43 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128820 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Asif Yaqoob (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans)

| toss = Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) made his T20 debut.

Junaid Khan (Multan Sultans) became the first bowler in the team and the second bowler in PSL history to take a hattrick.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1391225|title=Junaid Khan the hat-trick hero as Multan Sultans' dream start to PSL 2018 continues|work=Dawn|date=23 February 2018|author=Zohaib Ahmed Majeed|access-date=24 February 2018}}

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 24 February 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 176/6 (20 overs)

| score2 = 142/9 (20 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Kamran Akmal 53 (32)

| wickets1 = Faheem Ashraf 2/37 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Faheem Ashraf 54* (30)

| wickets2 = Umaid Asif 4/23 (4 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 34 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128821 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ranmore Martinesz (SL) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Umaid Asif (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 24 February 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Lahore Qalandars

| score1 = 119/9 (20 overs)

| score2 = 120/1 (14 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Brendon McCullum 30 (18)

| wickets1 = Jofra Archer 3/23 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Shane Watson 66 (42)

| wickets2 = Sunil Narine 1/40 (4 overs)

| result = Quetta won by 9 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128822 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Asif Yaqoob (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 25 February 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Multan Sultans

| score1 = 113 (19.5 overs)

| score2 = 117/5 (17.4 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Shoaib Malik 35 (36)

| wickets1 = Rumman Raees 3/14 (3.5 overs)

| runs2 = Hussain Talat 48* (34)

| wickets2 = Imran Tahir 3/19 (4 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 5 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128823 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ranmore Martinesz (SL) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Hussain Talat (Islamabad United)

| toss = Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 25 February 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 131/9 (20 overs)

| score2 = 135/5 (19.4 overs)

| team2 = Karachi Kings

| runs1 = Dwayne Smith 71* (51)

| wickets1 = Mohammad Amir 2/6 (2 overs)

| runs2 = Joe Denly 29 (39)

| wickets2 = Ibtisam Sheikh 2/25 (4 overs)

| result = Karachi won by 5 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128824 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ranmore Martinesz (SL) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Dwayne Smith (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 26 February 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 159/7 (20 overs)

| score2 = 132 (18.3 overs)

| team2 = Lahore Qalandars

| runs1 = Ravi Bopara 50* (34)

| wickets1 = Sunil Narine 2/18 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Brendon McCullum 44 (30)

| wickets2 = Shahid Afridi 3/19 (4 overs)

| result = Karachi won by 27 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128825 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ranmore Martinesz (SL) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Shahid Afridi (Karachi Kings)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 28 February 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Islamabad United

| score1 = 134/7 (20 overs)

| score2 = 135/4 (17.1 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Luke Ronchi 43 (26)

| wickets1 = Hasan Khan 1/12 (2 overs)

| runs2 = Kevin Pietersen 48 (34)

| wickets2 = Steven Finn 3/35 (4 overs)

| result = Quetta won by 6 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128826 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Tim Robinson (Eng) and Ranmore Martinesz (SL)

| motm = Kevin Pietersen (Quetta Gladiators)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 1 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Quetta Gladiators

| score1 = 141/8 (20 overs)

| score2 = 143/5 (19.4 overs)

| team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| runs1 = Shane Watson 47 (32)

| wickets1 = Wahab Riaz 2/16 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Tamim Iqbal 36 (38)

| wickets2 = Shane Watson 1/16 (4 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 5 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128827 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Darren Sammy (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 2 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 =

| score2 =

| team2 = Multan Sultans

| runs1 =

| wickets1 =

| runs2 =

| wickets2 =

| result = Match abandoned

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128828 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm =

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain = No play was possible due to rain.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 2 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Islamabad United

| score1 = 121/9 (20 overs)

| score2 = 121 (19.4 overs)

| team2 = Lahore Qalandars

| runs1 = JP Duminy 34 (36)

| wickets1 = Yasir Shah 3/20 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Agha Salman 48 (35)

| wickets2 = Samit Patel 3/17 (4 overs)

| result = Match tied; (Islamabad won the super over)

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128829 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Khalid Mahmood (Pak) and Ranmore Martinesz (SL)

| motm = Mohammad Sami (Islamabad United)

| toss = Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = This was the first ever super over in PSL history.

Super Over: Lahore Qalandars 15/1, Islamabad United 19/0.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 3 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Quetta Gladiators

| score1 = 102 (15.4 overs)

| score2 = 108/1 (16.4 overs)

| team2 = Multan Sultans

| runs1 = Sarfraz Ahmed 30 (33)

| wickets1 = Sohail Tanvir 3/14 (3 overs)

| runs2 = Kumar Sangakkara 51* (44)

| wickets2 = Hasan Khan 1/25 (3 overs)

| result = Multan won by 9 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128830 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Ahmed Shahab (Pak)

| motm = Sohail Tanvir (Multan Sultans)

| toss = Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) became the third bowler in PSL history to take a hattrick.{{Cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/184440|title=Tahir hat-trick guides Multan to easy win over Quetta|publisher=Geo News|access-date=4 March 2018}}

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 3 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Lahore Qalandars

| score1 = 100 (17.2 overs)

| score2 = 104/0 (13.4 overs)

| team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| runs1 = Fakhar Zaman 30 (17)

| wickets1 = Liam Dawson 3/20 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Kamran Akmal 57* (47)

| wickets2 = Fakhar Zaman 0/1 (1 over)

| result = Peshawar won by 10 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128831 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Tim Robinson (Eng) and Ranmore Martinesz (SL)

| motm = Liam Dawson (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes = This was the first ever victory by a 10 wicket margin in PSL history.{{Cite web|title=Largest victories|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2016-17/engine/records/team/largest_margins.html?id=205;type=trophy|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=3 March 2018}}

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 4 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 153/6 (20 overs)

| score2 = 156/2 (17.2 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Babar Azam 55 (53)

| wickets1 = Faheem Ashraf 3/23 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Luke Ronchi 71 (37)

| wickets2 = Mohammad Irfan 1/16 (3 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 8 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128832 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

| toss = Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 6 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Multan Sultans

| score1 = 183/3 (20 overs)

| score2 = 164/8 (20 overs)

| team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| runs1 = Sohaib Maqsood 85* (42)

| wickets1 = Liam Dawson 1/17 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Mohammad Hafeez 56 (41)

| wickets2 = Sohail Tanvir 3/14 (4 overs)

| result = Multan won by 19 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128833 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm = Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 7 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Multan Sultans

| score1 = 152/5 (20 overs)

| score2 = 156/8 (19.5 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Shoaib Malik 65* (43)

| wickets1 = Mohammad Nawaz 1/18 (3 overs)

| runs2 = Rilee Rossouw 27 (24)

| wickets2 = Umar Gul 6/24 (4 overs)

| result = Quetta won by 2 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128834 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Umar Gul (Multan Sultans)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 8 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Lahore Qalandars

| score1 = 163/8 (20 overs)

| score2 = 164/4 (17.4 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Anton Devcich 62 (42)

| wickets1 = Faheem Ashraf 3/32 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Luke Ronchi 77 (41)

| wickets2 = Sunil Narine 3/28 (4 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 6 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128835 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

| toss = Islamabad United won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 8 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Quetta Gladiators

| score1 = 180/4 (20 overs)

| score2 = 113/8 (20 overs)

| team2 = Karachi Kings

| runs1 = Shane Watson 90* (58)

| wickets1 = Usman Khan 1/22 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Imad Wasim 35 (31)

| wickets2 = Anwar Ali 2/21 (3 overs)

| result = Quetta won by 67 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128836 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Shozab Raza (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm = Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = This was the biggest win in PSL history in term of runs.{{Cite news|date=8 March 2018|title=Quetta send Karachi packing, win by 67 runs|url=https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/185289|publisher=Geo News|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054907/https://www.geo.tv/psl/latest/185289|archive-date=9 March 2018|url-status=dead}}

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 9 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Multan Sultans

| score1 = 114 (19.4 overs)

| score2 = 115/4 (18.4 overs)

| team2 = Lahore Qalandars

| runs1 = Kumar Sangakkara 45 (30)

| wickets1 = Shaheen Afridi 5/4 (3.4 overs)

| runs2 = Brendon McCullum 35* (35)

| wickets2 = Shoaib Malik 1/6 (1 over)

| result = Lahore won by 6 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128837 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Asif Yaqoob (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)

| toss = Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 9 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Islamabad United

| score1 = 182/5 (20 overs)

| score2 = 156/9 (20 overs)

| team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| runs1 = JP Duminy 73* (54)

| wickets1 = Wahab Riaz 3/30 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Wahab Riaz 33* (25)

| wickets2 = Samit Patel 4/34 (4 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 26 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128838 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ahmed Shahab (Pak) and Aleem Dar (Pak)

| motm = JP Duminy (Islamabad United)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 10 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 188/3 (20 overs)

| score2 = 125 (19.4 overs)

| team2 = Multan Sultans

| runs1 = Joe Denly 78 (55)

| wickets1 = Hardus Viljoen 2/49 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Sohail Tanvir 34* (29)

| wickets2 = Shahid Afridi 3/18 (4 overs)

| result = Karachi won by 63 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128839 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Asif Yaqoob (Pak)

| motm = Shahid Afridi (Karachi Kings)

| toss = Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 10 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 157/5 (20 overs)

| score2 = 158/4 (19.2 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Dwayne Smith 49 (33)

| wickets1 = Shane Watson 2/26 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Sarfraz Ahmed 45* (31)

| wickets2 = Hasan Ali 1/25 (4 overs)

| result = Quetta won by 6 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128840 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Ahmed Shahab (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Sarfraz Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = As a result of this match Lahore Qalandars were eliminated from the competition.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 11 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 163/5 (20 overs)

| score2 = 163/8 (20 overs)

| team2 = Lahore Qalandars

| runs1 = Babar Azam 61 (49)

| wickets1 = Sohail Khan 3/34 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Agha Salman 50 (45)

| wickets2 = Mohammad Irfan 2/35 (4 overs)

| result = Match tied; (Lahore won the super over)

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128841 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Agha Salman (Lahore Qalandars)

| toss = Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = Super Over: Lahore Qalandars 11 all out, Karachi Kings 8/1.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 13 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Islamabad United

| score1 = 185/4 (20 overs)

| score2 = 152 (19.1 overs)

| team2 = Multan Sultans

| runs1 = Luke Ronchi 58 (36)

| wickets1 = Umar Gul 2/26 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Kieron Pollard 73 (47)

| wickets2 = Samit Patel 2/11 (2 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 33 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128842 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

| toss = Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = As a result of this match Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators advanced to playoffs.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 14 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Lahore Qalandars

| score1 = 186/4 (20 overs)

| score2 = 169/6 (20 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Fakhar Zaman 94 (50)

| wickets1 = Hasan Khan 1/3 (1 over)

| runs2 = Rilee Rossouw 42 (22)

| wickets2 = Sunil Narine 2/22 (4 overs)

| result = Lahore won by 17 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128843 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Rashid Riaz (Pak) and Tim Robinson (Eng)

| motm = Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 15 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 181/6 (20 overs)

| score2 = 137/8 (20 overs)

| team2 = Karachi Kings

| runs1 = Kamran Akmal 75 (51)

| wickets1 = Usman Khan 3/11 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Babar Azam 66 (50)

| wickets2 = Liam Dawson 3/17 (4 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 44 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128844 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Ahmed Shahab (Pak) and Shozab Raza (Pak)

| motm = Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 15 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Quetta Gladiators

| score1 = 147/7 (20 overs)

| score2 = 149/4 (18.2 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Sarfraz Ahmed 43 (30)

| wickets1 = Faheem Ashraf 3/19 (4 overs)

| runs2 = JP Duminy 54 (47)

| wickets2 = Rahat Ali 2/33 (3.2 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 6 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128845 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Khalid Mahmood (Pak) and Aleem Dar (Pak)

| motm = JP Duminy (Islamabad United)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes =

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 16 March 2018

| time = 16:30

| daynight = y

| team1 = Lahore Qalandars

| score1 = 172/4 (20 overs)

| score2 = 176/3 (18 overs)

| team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| runs1 = Anton Devcich 70 (42)

| wickets1 = Hasan Ali 2/24 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Kamran Akmal 107* (61)

| wickets2 = Yasir Shah 2/40 (4 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 7 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128846 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Rashid Riaz (Pak) and Shozab Raza (Pak)

| motm = Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Lahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to bat.

| notes = Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi) scored his second century in PSL and the first player to do it.

As a result of this match Peshawar Zalmi advanced to playoffs.

}}

----

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 16 March 2018

| time = 21:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Islamabad United

| score1 = 124 (19 overs)

| score2 = 125/3 (17 overs)

| team2 = Karachi Kings

| runs1 = Asif Ali 34 (14)

| wickets1 = Usman Khan 4/17 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Joe Denly 36 (28)

| wickets2 = Faheem Ashraf 1/13 (3 overs)

| result = Karachi won by 7 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128847 Scorecard]

| venue = Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Khalid Mahmood (Pak)

| motm = Usman Khan (Karachi Kings)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = Karachi Kings advanced to playoffs as a result of this match.

As a result of this match Multan Sultans were eliminated from the competition.

}}

Playoffs

{{4TeamBracket-PagePlayoff

| team-width=230

| score-width=120

| RD1-text1=18 March — Dubai

| RD1-seed1 = 1

| RD1-team1 = Islamabad United

| RD1-score1 = 155/2 (12.3 overs)

| RD1-seed2 = 2

| RD1-team2 = Karachi Kings

| RD1-score2 = 154/4 (20 overs)

| P1Winner = Islamabad United

| P1Margin = 8 wickets

| P1Matchno = 31

| P1Special =

| RD1-text2=20 March — Lahore

| RD1-seed3 = 3

| RD1-team3 = Peshawar Zalmi

| RD1-score3 = 157 (20 overs)

| RD1-seed4 = 4

| RD1-team4 = Quetta Gladiators

| RD1-score4 = 156/9 (20 overs)

| P2Winner = Peshawar Zalmi

| P2Margin = 1 run

| P2Matchno = 32

| P2Special =

| RD2-text1=21 March — Lahore

| RD2-seed1 = 2

| RD2-team1 = Karachi Kings

| RD2-score1 = 157/2 (16 overs)

| RD2-seed2 = 3

| RD2-team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| RD2-score2 = 170/7 (16 overs)

| P3Winner = Peshawar Zalmi

| P3Margin = 13 runs

| P3Matchno = 33

| RD2-special =

| RD3-text1=25 March — Karachi

| RD3-seed1 = 1

| RD3-team1 = Islamabad United

| RD3-score1 = 154/7 (16.5 overs)

| RD3-seed2 = 3

| RD3-team2 = Peshawar Zalmi

| RD3-score2 = 148/9 (20 overs)

| FinalWinner = Islamabad United

| FinalMargin = 3 wickets

| FinalMatchno = 34

| RD3-special =

}}

=Preliminary=

==Qualifier 1==

{{Limited overs matches

| date= 18 March 2018

| time= 21:00

| daynight=

| team1 = Karachi Kings

| score1 = 154/4 (20 overs)

| score2 = 155/2 (12.3 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Colin Ingram 68* (39)

| wickets1 = Mohammad Sami 2/20 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Luke Ronchi 94* (39)

| wickets2 = Tymal Mills 1/32 (2 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 8 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128848 Scorecard]

| venue = Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

| umpires = Rashid Riaz (Pak) and Aleem Dar (Pak)

| motm = Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bat.

| round = Qualifier 1

| rain =

| notes = This was the largest victory in terms of balls remaining in PSL history.

As a result of this match Islamabad United advanced to the final.

}}

The qualifiers meant the top two teams on the table, Karachi and Islamabad, would face off.{{cite web |title=PSL Table |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/2656/pakistan-super-league-2018/points-table |website=Cricbuzz}} Karachi Kings won the toss and chose to bat first. One of the openers Khurram Manzoor, got out early while the other Joe Denly got his half century before getting out hit-wicket. Their number 3 batsman Babar Azam also got out cheaply as he got out second ball for a silver duck. Next came in Karachi's captain Eoin Morgan who made 21 before being sent back to the pavalion. The top-scorer of the kings innings was Colin Ingram with an unbeaten 61 helping Karachi get to 150. The pick of the bowlers was the former Pakistan international Mohammad Sami with 2-20.{{cite web |title=Qualifier Scorecard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO43280 |website=BBC Sport}} In response the game never looked in doubt as a quickfire 94 not out from Luke Ronchi sent Islamabad to the final.{{cite web |title=Islamabad storms into PSL final as Ronchi cleans up Karachi |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/186849-islamabad-storms-into-final-as-ronchi-cleans-up-karachi |website=Geo News}} Ronchi was well supported by the other opener Sahibzada Farhan who made 29 with Samit Patel hitting the winning runs, to get the fastest victory in terms of balls remaining ever in the PSL at the time.{{cite web |title=Pakistan Super League / Records / Largest victories |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2016-20/engine/records/team/largest_margins.html?id=205;type=trophy |website=ESPNcricinfo}}

==Eliminator==

{{Limited overs matches

| date= 20 March 2018

| time=19:00

| daynight=

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 157 (20 overs)

| score2 = 156/9 (20 overs)

| team2 = Quetta Gladiators

| runs1 = Liam Dawson 62 (35)

| wickets1 = Rahat Ali 4/16 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Sarfraz Ahmed 35 (21)

| wickets2 = Hasan Ali 2/21 (4 overs)
Sameen Gul 2/21 (4 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 1 run

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/scorecard/1128849 Scorecard]

| venue = Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Rashid Riaz (Pak)

| motm = Hasan Ali (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field.

| round = Eliminator

| rain =

| notes = As a result of this match Peshawar Zalmi advanced to Eliminator 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/psl-2017-18-1128817/peshawar-zalmi-vs-quetta-gladiators-eliminator-1-1128849/match-report|title=Peshawar steal one-run win, Quetta knocked out|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=10 March 2022}}

As a result of this match Quetta Gladiators were eliminated from the competition.

}}

The eliminator put the teams in 3rd and 4th against each other, with these being Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. The two teams previously played against each other in the year before's final.{{cite web |title=2017 Final |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/17487/qtg-vs-psz-final-pakistan-super-league-2017 |website=Cricbuzz}} Quetta Gladiators won the toss and chose to field. The Gladiators dismissed the Zalmi openers quite cheaply with Kamran Akmal out for a duck. Andre Fletcher came in but was soon sent back to the pavilion as well for a single run. Liam Dawson and Mohammed Hafeez steadied the ship for Zalmi with 62 and 25 respectively to help get Peshawar over 150. Rahat Ali was the pick of the bowlers with 4-16.{{cite web |title=Eliminator 1 Scorecard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO43281 |website=BBC Sport}} In response both of Quetta's openers fluctuated and were both out cheaply. Afterwards twin 35's from the Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz brought some stability to their innings. Going in to the final over it looked like the game was over for the gladiators who needed 25 off it. However Anwar Ali scored 23 off the first five balls against Liam Dawson meaning Quetta needed 3 off the last ball to win, then a dropped catch followed but Mir Hamza was run out trying to get back for 2 and draw the game. This meant Peshawar Zalmi won by 1 run having previously lost twice to the Quetta by a run.{{cite web |title=Peshawar finally break the one-run playoff jinx |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22851625/peshawar-zalmi-break-one-run-playoff-jinx |website=ESPN Cricinfo}} All of Zalmi's bowlers took 2 wickets except Dawson with Hasan Ali and Sameen Gul both taking 2-21

==Eliminator 2==

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 21 March 2018

| time = 19:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 170/7 (16 overs)

| score2 = 157/2 (16 overs)

| team2 = Karachi Kings

| runs1 = Kamran Akmal 77 (27)

| wickets1 = Ravi Bopara 3/35 (3 overs)

| runs2 = Joe Denly 79* (46)

| wickets2 = Sameen Gul 1/20 (3 overs)

| result = Peshawar won by 13 runs

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128850 Scorecard]

| venue = Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Shozab Raza (Pak)

| motm = Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi)

| toss = Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to field.

| round = Eliminator 2

| rain = Match was reduced to 16 overs per side due to rain.

| notes = Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi) scored the fastest fifty of PSL (17 balls).

As a result of this match Peshawar Zalmi advanced to the final.
As a result of this match Karachi Kings were eliminated from the competition.

}}

File:Kamran akmal.jpg (pictured in 2010) scored 77 off 27 balls against Karachi Kings.{{cite web |title=Scorecard 2nd eliminator |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/scorecard/1128850/karachi-kings-vs-peshawar-zalmi-eliminator-2-pakistan-super-league-2017-18 |website=ESPN Cricinfo}}|alt=Kamran Akmal in 2010]]

The second eliminator put the loser of the qualifier the Karachi Kings against the winner of the first eliminator Peshawar Zalmi."Eliminator 1 Scorecard The game got off to a late start due to rain which meant that both teams innings were reduced to 16 overs. Karachi Kings won the toss and decided to field first. Both of Zalmi's openers got off to a good start with Andre Fletcher making 34 and Kamran Akmal smashing a quick half-century (50 off 17 balls). Zalmi's middle order supported Akmal helping him finish on 77 Zalmi on 170 with Ravi Bopara taking the most wickets with 3-35. In response one of Karachi's openers, Joe Denly scored 79 not out from 46 and he was well supported by Babar Azam who made 63 off 46 before getting out to Hasan Ali in the end though Zalmi won by 13 runs and went through to the final.{{cite web |title=Peshawar Zalmi knock out Karachi Kings, qualify for PSL 2018 final |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1396678 |website=Dawn}} Sameen Gul was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 20.

=Final=

{{Limited overs matches

| date = 25 March 2018

| time = 20:00

| daynight =

| team1 = Peshawar Zalmi

| score1 = 148/9 (20 overs)

| score2 = 154/7 (16.5 overs)

| team2 = Islamabad United

| runs1 = Chris Jordan 36 (26)

| wickets1 = Shadab Khan 3/25 (4 overs)

| runs2 = Luke Ronchi 52 (26)

| wickets2 = Chris Jordan 2/22 (3 overs)

| result = Islamabad won by 3 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/game/1128851 Scorecard]

| venue = National Stadium, Karachi

| umpires = Aleem Dar (Pak) and Shozab Raza (Pak)

| motm = Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)

| toss = Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat.

| round = Final

| rain =

| notes = Islamabad United won the championship as a result of this match and became the most successful team in PSL history.{{Cite news|title=Islamabad wins PSL with Karachi back on cricket map|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/islamabad-wins-psl-with-karachi-back-on-cricket-map/articleshow/63460604.cms|work=Times of India|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180326112529/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/islamabad-wins-psl-with-karachi-back-on-cricket-map/articleshow/63460604.cms|url-status=dead}}

}}

The final took place at National Stadium, Karachi, after the semi-finals which had taken place in Lahore, with it being the first high-profile match in the stadium in 10 years.{{cite web |title=The wait finally ends for Karachi |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/101394/the-wait-finally-ends-for-karachi |website=Cricbuzz}} Peshawar won the toss an elected to bat, there innings started badly with Kamran Akmal and Andre Flecher getting out cheaply. Mohammed Hafeez came in next but was soon back in the pavilion only scoring 8. Zalmi recovered with Liam Dawson and Chris Jordan both scoring thirties with Jordan scoring 36 and Dawson 33. After they both departed Zalmi's lower middle orde collapsed before a late onslaught from Wahab Riaz got Zalmi close to 150. The pick of the bowlers was Shahdab Khan with 3-25.{{cite web |title=Final Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/scorecard/1128851/islamabad-united-vs-peshawar-zalmi-final-pakistan-super-league-2017-18 |website=ESPN Cricinfo}} In response Islamabad got off to a good start with Luke Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan scoring big. Ronchi got his half-century before getting out on 52, while Farhan scored 44 before losing his wicket. With Islamabad near their target a middle order collapse followed with 5 batsman only contributing 20 runs. However, in the end 3 sixes in a row from Asif Ali got united over the line and gave them their second PSL title.{{cite web |title=Islamabad United defeat Peshawar Zalmi, reclaim PSL title |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1397482 |website=Dawn}}

Awards and statistics

=Most runs=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" !Player !! Team !! {{Tooltip \| Mat \| Matches}} !! {{Tooltip \| Inns \| Innings}} !! Runs !! {{Tooltip \| HS \| High score }}
style="text-align:left" \| Luke Ronchi \| style="text-align:left" \| Islamabad United	11	11	style="background:green;color:white"\|435	#match31
style="text-align:left" \| Kamran Akmal \| style="text-align:left" \| Peshawar Zalmi	13	13	425	#match29
style="text-align:left" \| Babar Azam \| style="text-align:left" \| Karachi Kings	12	11	402	#match27
style="text-align:left" \| Joe Denly \| style="text-align:left" \| Karachi Kings	12	11	323	#match33
style="text-align:left" \| Shane Watson \| style="text-align:left" \| Quetta Gladiators	10	10	319	#match19
colspan="27" style="text-align:left" \|Source: [http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12186;type=tournament ESPNcricinfo.com], Last updated : 25 March 2018

{{Color box|green}} Luke Ronchi of Islamabad United received the Green Cap for scoring the most runs.

=Most wickets=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" !Player !! Team !! {{Tooltip \| Mat \| Matches}} !! {{Tooltip \| Inns \| Innings}} !! {{Tooltip \| Wkts \| Wickets}} !! {{Tooltip \| BBI \| Best innings bowling }}
style="text-align:left" \| Faheem Ashraf \| style="text-align:left" \| Islamabad United	12	12	style="background:maroon;color:white"\|18	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+4/7}}}}3/19
style="text-align:left" \| Wahab Riaz \| style="text-align:left" \| Peshawar Zalmi	13	13	18	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}3/30
style="text-align:left" \| Usman Khan \| style="text-align:left" \| Karachi Kings	10	9	16	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}4/17
style="text-align:left" \| Rahat Ali \| style="text-align:left" \| Quetta Gladiators	11	11	15	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}4/16
style="text-align:left" \| Samit Patel \| style="text-align:left" \| Islamabad United	9	9	13	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+4/7}}}}4/34
colspan="25" style="text-align:left" \|Source: [http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12186;type=tournament ESPNcricinfo.com], Last updated : 25 March 2018

{{Color box|maroon}} Faheem Ashraf of Islamabad United received the Maroon Cap as he took the most wickets.

Notes

References

External links

{{Official website|psl-t20.com}}

Category:2018 in Emirati cricket

Super League

Category:2018 in Sindh

Category:2010s in Dubai

Category:2010s in Karachi

Category:2010s in Lahore

Category:Cricket in Karachi

Category:Cricket in Lahore

Category:February 2018 sports events in Pakistan

Category:History of the Emirate of Sharjah

Category:March 2018 sports events in Pakistan

Category:Sport in Dubai

Category:Sport in Sharjah (city)

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" !Player !! Team !! {{Tooltip \| Mat \| Matches}} !! {{Tooltip \| Inns \| Innings}} !! {{Tooltip \| Wkts \| Wickets}} !! {{Tooltip \| BBI \| Best innings bowling }}
style="text-align:left" \| Faheem Ashraf \| style="text-align:left" \| Islamabad United	12	12	style="background:maroon;color:white"\|18	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+4/7}}}}3/19
style="text-align:left" \| Wahab Riaz \| style="text-align:left" \| Peshawar Zalmi	13	13	18	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}3/30
style="text-align:left" \| Usman Khan \| style="text-align:left" \| Karachi Kings	10	9	16	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}4/17
style="text-align:left" \| Rahat Ali \| style="text-align:left" \| Quetta Gladiators	11	11	15	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+2/16}}}}4/16
style="text-align:left" \| Samit Patel \| style="text-align:left" \| Islamabad United	9	9	13	{{ntsh\|{{#expr:6+4/7}}}}4/34
colspan="25" style="text-align:left" \|Source: [http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12186;type=tournament ESPNcricinfo.com], Last updated : 25 March 2018

2018 Pakistan Super League

Background

Ceremonies

=Opening ceremony=

=Closing ceremony=

Teams and squads

Officials

Venues

Promotion in media

Season standings

= Points table =

League stage

=Summary=

==Week 1==

==Week 2==

==Week 3==

==Week 4==

=Table of results=

=League progression=

Fixtures

Playoffs

=Preliminary=

==Qualifier 1==

==Eliminator==

==Eliminator 2==

=Final=

Awards and statistics

=Most runs=

=Most wickets=

See also

Notes

References

External links