Karachi and Lahore gear up for Pakistan Super League 2022 - in pictures

Multan Sultans play Karachi Kings at the National Stadium on Thursday

A paramilitary soldier patrols next to cutouts of cricket players displaying outside the National Stadium for the upcoming country's premier domestic Twenty20 tournament 'Pakistan Super League' in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. The Pakistan Cricket Board says "robust" COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place ahead of its month-long domestic Twenty20 competition in Karachi and Lahore, with several foreign cricketers participating in a six-team event. (AP Photo / Fareed Khan)

Preparations under way for PSL 2022 at the National Stadium in Karachi, with the opening match scheduled for Thursday. AP

Ground staff prepare the pitch for the opening clash of the Pakistan Super League in Karachi. AP

A security member stands beside a poster of Babar Azam outside the National Stadium in Karachi. AP

Cutouts of players outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the seventh season of PSL. AP

Images of players near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of PSL 2022. AP

Cutouts of players displayed outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. AP

Pakistan is all set to host the seventh edition of the the Pakistan Super League, with host cities Karachi and Lahore taking extra precautions amid concerns over the pandemic.

The National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the month-long competition that starts on Thursday with a clash between Karachi Kings and defending champions Multan Sultans.

With a number of overseas cricketers set to feature in the tournament, the health and safety of the players and all stakeholders is top priority for the Pakistan Cricket Board, who have promised “robust” protocols.

“In the present-day environment, all international sport events are going ahead because there is more awareness and information about the pandemic,” PCB chairman Ramiz Raja told the Associated Press.

Last year, the league was postponed in March after several players tested positive for coronavirus and the league was shifted to Abu Dhabi in June.

“The PCB, despite delivering 267 matches in 10 domestic events in 2021, is not taking anything for granted,” Raja said. “We have designed and put in place robust health and safety protocols for the well-being of all [PSL] participants.”

A multi-layer bio-secure bubble and contingency plans for player unavailability in the event of an outbreak have been put in place. If a breach is reported in the bio bubble, the Pakistan board plans to halt the league for a week and restart after resetting the bio-bubble from scratch.

However, concerns remain. At least three players, including Peshawar Zalmi’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, and five support staff members tested positive last Saturday when the teams began to assemble in Karachi.

PSL 2021 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: 1. Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) - A model of consistency. Karachi’s title defence might have ended at the first knockout phase, but Babar still made seven half-centuries at an average of 69.25. All photos courtesy of Pakistan Super League

2. Hazratullah Zazai (Peshawar Zalmi) - To say his arrival has given Peshawar’s title challenge fresh impetus understates the point. Three matchwinning performances in his first four matches has taken them to the final.

3. Usman Khawaja (Islamabad United) - Rarely spotted on the franchise circuit outside of Australia, but advertised his wares to potential employers with a fine return in Abu Dhabi, especially via the century he made.

4. Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans) - He has been in belligerent form since arriving in the UAE, and played a key role in the qualifier playoff against Islamabad in blistering heat.

5. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi) - Will be 40 on his next birthday, yet remains both svelte and influential, despite his build up to this tournament amounting to not much more than a few net sessions at an understated academy near Dubai airport.

6. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans) - Justified Multan’s late decision to swap captains, despite Shan Masood guiding them to the top of the table last year, as they reached the final this time round.

7. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars) - Harsh that the Afghan great was deprived a place in the knockout stage. Eleven wickets in eight games for Lahore, and an economy rate of 5.46. Standard Rashid Khan fare.

8. Hasan Ali (Islamabad United) - The thriftiest bowler in the side who dominated the league phase, and he nearly earned them a place in the final with his extraordinary batting cameo in the last knockout match.

9. Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) - Particularly outstanding once the tournament decamped to UAE, which was maybe no surprise given he has been resident in the country for much of this year.

10. Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) - How Lahore managed to miss out on the knockout stage is a mystery given the strength of their bowling. Shaheen took 16 wickets in 10 games.

11. Shahnawaz Dahani, right, (Multan Sultans) - Unquestionably the find of the tournament. Good pace, a load of wickets, and a ready smile marked him out as a new star.