Compared to most global T20 leagues, PSL is still in it's infancy. Before the league began the most hyped rivalry was the Lahore- Karachi rivalry. Two big metropolitan cities with lots of pride wanting to do everything possible to out-do one another. The Manchester-Liverpool, Real-Barca, India-Pakistan of the PSL. Both those teams have underachieved and have yet to reach a final. Lahore have yet to finish anything higher than last place.
Meanwhile, Peshawar and particularly Quetta were under the radar and demanded the least amount of spotlight. Their owners weren't seen dancing and crying in the stands like Fawad Rana. They weren't deemed particulary valuable franchises compared to Lahore and Karachi. Their recruitment was even done with less glamour. Yet somehow, it is these two teams that have emerged as two of the most successful franchises (along with Islamabad of course).
In the midst of their success there has definitely been a rivalry brewing between Peshawar and Quetta. They've provided us with the best matches year in year out. It's remarkable how in the playoffs we've seen 3 games being decided by 1 run and now this match went to the absolute last over as well. They've provided the viewers with the most competitive matches and the highest quality of cricket.
Along with the on-field rivalry, there's also some context here that makes it so interesting.
Quetta has a massive Karachi backed team. Most of their players and coaching staff are actually from Karachi. Meanwhile, Peshawar have probably the two most influential Lahori players in Wahab & Kamran. These games in a way provide us with a better Lahore-Karachi rivalry than the actual matches between Qalandars and Kings.
There's also a little bit of Sarfraz vs Kamran in these matches. Kamran the explosive superior batsman versus the more reliable and intelligent Sarfraz. After every PSL, there are calls that Kamran should be brought back due to his superior batting form in PSL compared to his rival.
Then there's a little bit of history between Wahab and Shehzad. It got ugly on the field between them and you can't argue that it fuels the drama.
Whereas the big two franchises constantly make wholesale changes, these are also the two teams that have probably filtered through the least amount of players over the years. They've kept their core consistent adding to their success and creating an opportunity for the rivalry to breed.
With all that being said, it is clear both these franchises have the ultimate respect for one another. They are led by contrasting captains who are both gentlemen in their own right. Peshawar and Quetta have so far provided us with the most exhilarating cricket out of all the franchises. Congratulations to both of them for their success and long may it continue.
Meanwhile, Peshawar and particularly Quetta were under the radar and demanded the least amount of spotlight. Their owners weren't seen dancing and crying in the stands like Fawad Rana. They weren't deemed particulary valuable franchises compared to Lahore and Karachi. Their recruitment was even done with less glamour. Yet somehow, it is these two teams that have emerged as two of the most successful franchises (along with Islamabad of course).
In the midst of their success there has definitely been a rivalry brewing between Peshawar and Quetta. They've provided us with the best matches year in year out. It's remarkable how in the playoffs we've seen 3 games being decided by 1 run and now this match went to the absolute last over as well. They've provided the viewers with the most competitive matches and the highest quality of cricket.
Along with the on-field rivalry, there's also some context here that makes it so interesting.
Quetta has a massive Karachi backed team. Most of their players and coaching staff are actually from Karachi. Meanwhile, Peshawar have probably the two most influential Lahori players in Wahab & Kamran. These games in a way provide us with a better Lahore-Karachi rivalry than the actual matches between Qalandars and Kings.
There's also a little bit of Sarfraz vs Kamran in these matches. Kamran the explosive superior batsman versus the more reliable and intelligent Sarfraz. After every PSL, there are calls that Kamran should be brought back due to his superior batting form in PSL compared to his rival.
Then there's a little bit of history between Wahab and Shehzad. It got ugly on the field between them and you can't argue that it fuels the drama.
Whereas the big two franchises constantly make wholesale changes, these are also the two teams that have probably filtered through the least amount of players over the years. They've kept their core consistent adding to their success and creating an opportunity for the rivalry to breed.
With all that being said, it is clear both these franchises have the ultimate respect for one another. They are led by contrasting captains who are both gentlemen in their own right. Peshawar and Quetta have so far provided us with the most exhilarating cricket out of all the franchises. Congratulations to both of them for their success and long may it continue.
