The wait is over! The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 officially kicks off today with a high-octane clash between the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, and the league’s newest franchise, the Hyderabad Kingsmen.
This opening encounter at the historic Gaddafi Stadium promises to be a thriller as the veteran powerhouses take on the ambitious debutants.
Match Information
- Match: Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen (Match 01)
- Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Time: 07:00 PM (Local PKT) / 07:30 PM (IST)
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Format: T20 Cricket
Team Squads for PSL 2026
Both teams have assembled balanced rosters featuring international superstars and local talent.
Lahore Qalandars Squad
- Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Ali, Muhammad Naeem, Mirza Tahir Baig, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Tom Abell.
- All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Daryl Mitchell, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Faheem Ashraf, Carlos Brathwaite, Shakib Al Hasan, Luke Wells, Jahandad Khan.
- Wicket-keepers: Sam Billings, Muhammad Akhlaq, Kusal Perera, Adam Rossington.
- Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Rishad Hossain, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tom Curran, Arif Yaqoob, Salman Mirza, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Azab, Kaleem Sana, Asif Afridi.
Hyderabad Kingsmen Squad
- Captain: Marnus Labuschagne
- Batters: Saim Ayub, Sharjeel Khan, Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat.
- All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam.
- Wicket-keepers: Kusal Perera.
- Bowlers: Ottniel Baartman, Riley Meredith.(Note: As a new franchise, additional squad members and emerging picks will be finalized in the playing XI updates.)
Official TV Channel List & Digital Access
Fans across the globe can follow the action through official broadcasting partners. Below is the list of channels and platforms providing live coverage:
In Pakistan (National Broadcasters)
For local fans, the match will be telecast across four major sports networks:
- PTV Sports HD
- A Sports HD
- Geo Super
- Ten Sports
International TV Channels
- USA & Canada: Willow TV, Willow Sports
- United Kingdom: ARY Digital, Sky Sports
- Australia & New Zealand: ESPN
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Cricbuzz TV (available on eLife, Switch TV, and Starzplay)
- Bangladesh: T Sports
- Sri Lanka: Dialog TV
Official Digital Apps
If you prefer to watch the match on your mobile or tablet, the following official apps provide legal access:
- Pakistan: Tamasha, Tapmad, and Myco
- India & Nepal: Tapmad
- UK: ARY Plus
- USA/Canada: Willow by Cricbuzz
- MENA Region: Cricbuzz App, Starzplay
- Sri Lanka: VIU Hub
Venue & Conditions
The Gaddafi Stadium is known for its electric atmosphere. The pitch for the opener typically offers a fair contest between bat and ball, though the early moisture might assist the pace of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. With the Kingsmen making their debut, expect a high-scoring encounter as both teams look to start the season on a winning note.