The PSL 2024 is moving towards the business end with all six teams vying for a qualification in the playoffs. Throughout the PSL’s history, all six of the teams have taken home the trophy at least once. With two PSL titles each, the reigning champion Lahore Qalandars and the inaugural winners Islamabad United are the most successful teams. The only team to win the competition twice in a row are Qalandars.
In a double round-robin format, every team will play all five other teams twice, as per the PSL 2024 schedule. The playoffs will be contested by the top four teams in the standings following all league games. In the Qualifier 1, the top two teams in the standings will compete for a spot in the championship game. To move on to Eliminator 2, the third and fourth-place teams will play each other in Eliminator 1. To secure the final spot, the victor of Eliminator 1 will square off against the loser of Qualifier 1 in Eliminator 2.
Here are the qualification scenario of every team in PSL 2024
Multan Sultans
As of right now, Multan Sultans are ranked No. 1 position in the PSL 2024 point standings. They have participated in six games, winning five of them. With 10 points and an NRR of 1.154, the team led by Muhammad Rizwan is in first place. Rizwan has been leading the Sultans with great skill and they have been playing excellently. With ten points, the Sultans, meanwhile, are only a few more victories away from qualifying for the playoffs. They will gain 10–14 points if they win these games. If they win even more, they will guarantee themselves a playoff spot. It will increase their chances of making it to the championship game.
Quetta Gladiators
As of now, the Quetta Gladiators have emerged victorious from four of their six league games in the PSL 2024 and sit at the 2nd spot in points table. They have a total of nine points. However the Quetta Gladiators still need points in the games that are left. The Gladiators will end the season with 17 points if they win all of the remaining games. But the Gladiators, led by Rilee Russouw, must win three or more of the remaining games to finish with 14 or more points in order to advance to the playoffs. They will be guaranteed a spot in the PSL 2024 first qualifying round thanks to this. If not, they still need to win two games out of the remaining six in order to secure a spot in the final four with 12 points or more.
Peshawar Zalmi
The Peshawar Zalmi have seven points from six matches so far. Babar Azam’s team have had quite a few hits and misses this season. Out of the remaining four fixtures, Zalmi will need to win at least three to ensure they achieve a top 4 finish in the playoffs. Failing to get three wins will result in Babar Azam and co. having to look at other teams in an hope to qualify. Moreover, their net run rate of -0.285 will be another stumbling block in case they are tied with other teams on the same point at the PSL points table.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United are 4th in the PSL table with five points from six games. The Islamabad outfit have lost three games, and won two with one game being washed away by rains. They can reach a maximum of 13 points if they win all their remaining games. However, it might not be enough as the teams ahead of them have to lose a number of games in order for them to qualify to the playoffs. Their net run rate of +0.108 might come in handy for them as they enjoy a supremacy on that front within the bottom three teams.
Karachi Kings
After five games, the Karachi Kings have won two and lost three. With an NRR of -0.460, they have four points to their credit. Out of the remaining games in hand, the Kings need to win at least four more games to finish with enough points to ensure qualification in the playoffs.
Lahore Qalandars
This season, the team captained by Shaheen Afridi has struggled miserably. After seven games played, the team has suffered six losses. With three games remaining, LQ is probably out of the running for this PSL season. There have been instances of PSL teams qualifying for the playoffs with 10 points previously, but the chances are very slim for the Qalandars.