LAHORE - Defending champions Karachi Kings will take on 2019 winners Quetta Gladiators in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL-6) opener, which gets underway at the National Stadium Karachi today (Saturday). 
The organisers have promised to make this marquee event safer and spectacular than the other domestic events as six franchise teams will vie for the glittering trophy and a cash award of PKR 80 million from a total prize money of PKR 112 million. With the event restricted to Karachi and Lahore, strict PCB Covid-19 protocols will be followed in the stadiums, filled with a limited number of fans being around to cheer their favourite players on. 
After hosting the full version of the PSL-5 at home, the fact that the sixth event in the PSL history will be played in Pakistan once again means a lot of joy for the local fans. This is after the first four editions were played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) means a huge fillip to the tournament. The fact that over the last couple of years, the return of international cricket and the entire edition of the PSL is a huge tribute to the effort of the security establishment of the country, the efforts of the federal government and the untiring will and endeavours of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 
The overseas player contingent feels a lot safer to come over and play in Pakistan, which means that the re-integration is now complete. The return of the crowds to the PSL in the 2021 edition is a huge step-up after the final four league matches in the previous year were played in front of an empty stadium following the Covid-19 outbreak. Even during the play-offs, there were no crowds at the National Stadium in Karachi, including the mouth-watering title clash between arch-rivals Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars. 
This time around, the first 20 PSL-6 matches from February 20 to March 7 will be played at National Stadium Karachi. Following a two-day break, the remaining 14 matches, including the March 22 final, will be staged at historical Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. The good news for the fans is that 20 per cent will be allowed, some 7,500 in Karachi and around 5,500 in Lahore. More are expected to attend the play-offs and the final, health regulations permitting. 
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan is excited to welcome the country’s most talked about event. “We are in the sixth year of PSL and it’s a matter of great pride for all of us that this edition will be safer and spectacular than ever before,” said Wasim Khan, adding: “We are thankful to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for allowing us to have 20 per cent fans during the matches. 
The presence of fans will lift the players and create a good atmosphere, something which embodies live sport.”
Wasim Khan is thrilled with the full complement of foreign stars arriving for the PSL-6. “The success of PSL has grown by leaps and bounds, and the fact that some 425 foreign players registered for the draft and over 50 of them will be coming to feature in the PSL, is ample proof of that,” said Wasim Khan. Local players will have the motivation to impress the selectors with their performances and break into the national team for the mega event, the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup 2021 in October.