PSL 2023 Final Rescheduled: Why Pakistan Super League Season 8 Summit Clash Date Changed?

Lahore, March 17: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 final has been rescheduled as there is threat of rain on the originally scheduled date of March 19 (Sunday), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed.

The PSL 2023 final was set to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday (March 19). While the venue remains the same, the date has been changed due to weather issues. The PSL 8 final will now take place a day earlier on Saturday (March 18).

Multan Sultans have already qualified for the final via a victory in the Qualifier. They await the winner of Eliminator 2 between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi. The Eliminator 2 takes place on March 17.

So, with the new dates PSL 2023 playoffs, which started on Wednesday (March 15) will be held without a day's break if there is no rain interruption on Friday (March 17) and March 18.

Lahore Weather Update for next three days

There is threat of rain for the next few days in Lahore, including the rescheduled date of March 18, but the forecast says there will be no rain during the playing hours, and showers are expected only in the noon.

There is also forecast for rain on Friday (March 17), when the Eliminator 2 is set to be staged. Even on March 17, the rain is expected only in the noon.

PSL 2023 Reserve Days

So, if it rains on Saturday (March 18), PCB has announced there will be two reserve days (March 19 and March 20). The reserve days can be used to complete the match or play the whole match depending on the impact of the rain on the day.

"After taking into consideration bad weather forecast over the coming days, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to hold the HBL PSL 8 final on Saturday, 18 March, at the Gaddafi Stadium with Sunday and Monday to be treated as reserve days. The final was scheduled earlier for Sunday, 19 March, in Lahore," PCB released a statement.

Najam Sethi, Chair of PCB Management Committee, has said a marquee event of Pakistan Cricket needs to see a full tournament and hence the call was taken to shift the date of the final.

"The HBL PSL 8 is our marquee event. All the teams aim and prepare whole year to not only feature in the final but to lift the Supernove Trophy, while the passionate cricket fans also wait anxiously to see their favourite team being crowned as the champion," Sethi was quoted as saying in the release.

"As such, and on the basis of available information about bad weather forecast, it is a sensible and proactive approach that we use the off-day and play the final on Saturday, and utilise Sunday along with Monday as reserve days. This will give us two reserve days in case the match cannot be completed or played on Saturday instead of the traditional one day.

"We have spoken with the teams involved in the Play-offs, and they are not only aligned to our decision but have backed and supported our decision."

Sethi also added that tickets purchased for Sunday's match will be valid for the rescheduled date as well.

"There will be no inconvenience to the cricket fans as tickets purchased for Sunday's match will remain valid for Saturday's rescheduled final," Sethi further added.