LAHORE: The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 is set to commence on March 26 amid unprecedented circumstances, with several overseas players having arrived in Lahore to join their franchises for the tournament.

The 11th edition, running until May 3, features eight teams competing in 44 matches, but the event has undergone significant revisions due to a severe fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza, a key retention for Lahore Qalandars, Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne (direct signing for debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen), fast bowler Riley Meredith, Sri Lankan wicket-keeper-batter Kusal Perera, and New Zealanders Devon Conway and Mark Chapman have reached Lahore.

Bangladeshi contingent including Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana and Parvez Hossain Emon are expected late tonight, with PCB officials anticipating the arrival of nearly all foreign players by Tuesday night.

The tournament’s format has been reshaped following government directives on energy conservation. Initially scheduled across six venues—including debuts for Faisalabad and Peshawar—the PCB scaled operations to only Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium) and Karachi, each hosting 22 matches.

All games will be played behind closed doors until the regional conflict concludes, with the opening ceremony cancelled as part of austerity measures. The fuel shortage stems from disruptions in global oil supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting nationwide restrictions on movement, school closures, work-from-home policies and extended holidays.

The opening fixture pits defending champions Lahore Qalandars against new entrants Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium. Hyderabad Kingsmen, owned by American-Pakistani businessman Fawad Sarwar (who also owns Chicago Kingsmen in the US minor league), mark one of two fresh franchises this season, adding intrigue to the league’s expansion.

The PCB has assembled a high-calibre panel of match officials. Sir Richie Richardson, from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and a former West Indies captain, will make his PSL debut.

He has prior experience in Pakistan, having officiated four Tests and three T20Is between 2017 and 2024, including the Pakistan vs World XI T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium.

The umpiring contingent features four ICC Elite Panel members: Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza, New Zealand’s Christopher Gaffaney, South Africa’s Allahudien Paleker and England’s Alexander Wharf.

They will be supported by Bangladeshi Sharfuddoula Saikat and New Zealander Chris Brown. Paleker and Saikat are set for their PSL debuts.

Local umpires include Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Zulfiqar Jan, Abdul Muqeet, Alay Haider, Imran Jawed and Tariq Rasheed.

Roshan Mahanama, a fixture in the PSL since 2017, returns as head match referee for the opener, poised to extend his record of 71 PSL matches officiated.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2026