“Get ready for a game-changing season!”
The HBL PSL X is about to kick off, and this time, it’s not just the players who are bringing the heat—England’s Test cricket legend, Sir Alastair Cook, will be making his debut behind the mic! The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled a star-studded commentary panel that promises to elevate the experience of the sixth edition of this thrilling tournament.
The six-team tournament is set to commence on 11 April at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will conclude on 18 May, with the grand final taking place at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. A total of 34 matches will be played in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, making this a month-long cricketing spectacle.
Joining the Commentary Panel:
Sir Alastair Cook will be joined by former MCC President Mark Nicholas — a renowned voice in cricket commentary since retiring from competitive cricket in 1995. Nicholas has also been associated with SKY Sports in England and Channel 9 in Australia. Along with Cook and Nicholas, fellow Englishmen Dominic Cork and Mark Butcher will be lending their voices, while South Africa’s Jean-Paul Duminy and Mike Haysman will also be part of the panel.
From Bangladesh, Athar Ali Khan will add his perspective, alongside New Zealand’s former Test cricketer Martin Guptill. Australia’s two-time ICC Women’s World Cup winner Lisa Sthalekar will also join the commentary team.
Pakistan’s Legends Take the Lead:
The Pakistan commentary team will feature four former Test captains: Aamir Sohail, Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, and Wasim Akram — all ICC and PCB Hall of Famers. They will be joined by former Test cricketer Bazid Khan, former Pakistan women’s team captain Urooj Mumtaz, and cricket analyst Sikander Bakht.
Historic Urdu Commentary Broadcast:
In a historic move, this edition of the HBL PSL will feature a full match broadcast in Urdu commentary for the first time ever. The Urdu commentary panel includes Ali Younis, Aqeel Samar, Marina Iqbal, Salman Butt, and Tariq Saeed, who will be joined by the above-mentioned Pakistan commentators for selected segments.
Presenters:
Erin Holland and Zainab Abbas will be the presenters during the league matches, keeping the excitement alive both on and off the field.
HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer, Salman Naseer, commented:
“We are excited to welcome a star-studded commentary team, featuring some of the most iconic names in the cricketing world — including legendary former Test captains and top-tier broadcasters. Their involvement not only enhances the quality of our coverage but also highlights the global stature of the HBL PSL.”
“This year, for the first time in HBL PSL history, we will be broadcasting a full match entirely in Urdu commentary – a move that brings us even closer to our passionate fanbase across Pakistan. We are confident that the combination of iconic voices and fresh innovations will enhance the viewing experience for fans at home and around the world.”