PSL 2020 fixtures: your official guide to the Pakistan Super League

The Twenty20 tournament's fifth staging starts next weekend with a host of star turns taking part in the competition being held in Pakistan in its entirety for the first time

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  PLAYERS TO WATCH: Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators): Currently in a position that is in equal parts privilege and problem: namely, the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. Took a hat-trick in a Test against Bangladesh. Made a name for himself on tour in Australia. Just turning 17. AFP

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  Mohammed Hasnain (Quetta Gladiators): For Naseem now, read Mohammed Hasnain 12 months ago. Pushed the speed-gun further than anyone else in last year’s PSL, when he played a key role in Quetta winning the title while still just 18 years old. EPA

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  Haris Rauf (Lahore Qalandars): He already feels like a world star, despite only having played two low-key T20 internationals so far. His debut campaign in the PSL last year made his name. A hat-trick in Australia’s Big Bash League wrote it in lights. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Tom Banton (Peshawar Zalmi)" A star in the making in England. He is already well known in Pakistan, too, having been a clubmate of Babar Azam at Somerset, and having thrilled for Qalandars in the Abu Dhabi T10 league. Getty

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  Babar Azam (Karachi Kings): Out on his own as the leading batsman in T20 international cricket. Still. Is there any more reliable performer anywhere in the game? And he will be trying to get one up on his mate Tom Banton in this PSL, too. AFP

The fifth season of the Pakistan Super League begins on Thursday, February 20, when Quetta Gladiators start their title defence against Islamabad United, the previous champions.

Much has changed since the sides lined up for the opening ceremony in Dubai this time last year. For the first time, the competition will be played in its entirety in Pakistan.

Dean Jones has left Islamabad United, after coaching them to two titles, and has turned up at Karachi Kings instead.

Misbah ul Haq is setting aside his role as supremo of almost everything in Pakistan cricket to fill the vacancy Jones has left for the tournament.

Some things stay the same, though. This competition has always been characterised by fine bowling – and fine fast-bowling in particular.

Young jets Naseem Shah and Mohammed Hasnain are together in the same line up for Quetta.

Dale Steyn is due to turn out for Islamabad, while Haris Rauf will be back where he started, with Lahore Qalandars, after a winter spent gilding his reputation in Australia.

Fixture list

Thursday, February 20 Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United (Karachi)

Friday, February 21 Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi (Karachi), Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans (Lahore)

Saturday, February 22 Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi (Karachi), Islamabad United v Multan Sultans (Lahore)

Sunday, February 23 Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators (Karachi), Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United (Lahore)

Wednesday, February 26 Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi (Multan)

Thursday, February 27 Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators (Rawalpindi)

Friday, February 28 Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings (Multan), Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars (Rawalpindi)

Saturday, February 29 Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators (Multan), Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi (Rawalpindi)

Sunday, March 1 Islamabad United v Karachi Kings (Rawalpindi)

Monday, March 2 Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings (Rawalpindi)

Tuesday, March 3 Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars (Lahore)

Wednesday, March 4 Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars (Lahore)

Thursday, March 5 Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators (Rawalpindi)

Friday, March 6 Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans (Lahore)

Saturday, March 7 Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United (Rawalpindi), Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators (Lahore)

Sunday, March 8 Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United (Rawalpindi), Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings (Lahore)

Tuesday, March 10 Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi (Lahore)

Wednesday, March 11 Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans (Lahore)

Thursday, March 12 Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars (Karachi)

Friday, March 13 Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans (Karachi)

Saturday, March 14 Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United (Karachi)

Sunday, March 15 Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars (Lahore), Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings (Karachi)

Tuesday, March 17 Qualifier: Team 1 vs Team 2 (Karachi)

Wednesday, March 18 Eliminator 1: Team 3 vs Team 4 (Lahore)

Friday, March 20 Eliminator 2: Eliminator Winner vs Qualifier Runner-Up (Lahore)

Sunday, March 22 Final (Lahore)