HBL PSL X to continue without DRS

Express Tribune

23-05-2025

Man of the Match Faheem Ashraf celebrates yet another wicket for Quetta Gladiators in the playoff versus Islamabad United in Lahore on Wednesday. PHOTO: PCB
The ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 will continue without the Decision Review System (DRS) for the rest of the tournament, as the Hawk-Eye team responsible for providing the technology did not return to Pakistan after the league resumed.
DRS, which has been a regular feature in the PSL since 2017, was in place until the tournament was suspended on May 7 amid escalating border tensions between Pakistan and India. However, since the league's restart, none of the matches have featured DRS. Despite this significant change, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the PSL management have not yet issued any official statement addressing its absence.
So far, the first five matches since the restart have proceeded without any major controversy. However, the absence of DRS is still a notable setback in a tournament that has prided itself on maintaining international standards.
The sudden rescheduling of fixtures due to the regional tensions has created several logistical challenges for PSL organizers. The production crew had to extend their stay in Pakistan, and in an effort to reduce travel demands, a match initially scheduled in Multan was shifted to Lahore. This added pressure to an already tight setup and contributed to the unavailability of the full DRS infrastructure.
Additionally, the overlap with Pakistan's upcoming home series against Bangladesh has also caused scheduling conflicts. Originally set to begin on May 25 - the same day as the PSL 10 final - the series has now been pushed back by three days. The number of matches has also been reduced from five to three.
As the PSL 10 playoffs continue, Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars will battle it out in the Eliminator at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. The winner will face Islamabad United in Eliminator 2 on Friday for a place in the final against Quetta Gladiators, who secured their spot with a 30-run win over defending champions Islamabad on Wednesday. The final is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, in Lahore.
Faheem's brilliance powers Quetta into final
Quetta Gladiators on the back of an all-round performance by Faheem Ashraf beat Islamabad United by 30 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday night to qualify for the final of HBL PSL X. The final will take place on Sunday, 25 May.
Chasing a target of 209 runs set by the Gladiators in the Qualifier, United lost their in-form opener Alex Hales for no score in the second over to Faheem. After Hales' dismissal, Sahibzada Farhan was joined by Rassie van der Dussen and the pair stitched a 71-run partnership for the second wicket. Van der Dussen (35 off 23 balls, four fours, two sixes) was the next batter to get dismissed in the ninth over of the innings.
Farhan – also the recipient of the Hanif Mohammad Cap, top-scored for his side with a 35-ball 52, hitting eight fours and a six. Besides Farhan, Salman Ali Agha contributed 44 off 26 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Shadab Khan was the only other United batter to reach double figures.
The target proved too steep for the defending champions as they were bowled out for 179 in 19.4 overs.
For Gladiators, Usman Tariq took three wickets for 32 runs, while Faheem, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jnr claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Gladiators posted 209 for six in their 20 overs. After losing five wickets for 113 in 11.5 overs, Sri Lanka's international Dinesh Chandimal and Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf came together and knitted a vital 95-run stand for the sixth wicket. The left-handed Faheem was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings after scoring 45 off 23 balls, which included four fours and three sixes.
Chandimal remained unbeaten on 48 off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and three towering sixes. Opening batter Finn Allen was another notable contributor, scoring 41 off 27 balls with seven fours. For United, Ben Dwarshuis and Salman Irshad picked up two wickets apiece.
Despite Wednesday's defeat, Islamabad United can still reach the final if they win Eliminator 2, scheduled on 23 May.