The countdown to the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019 has officially begun as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule of the event.

The tournament will kick-off with the opener between defending champions Islamabad United and the Sixth Team in Dubai on February 14, 2019 and culminate with the final in Karachi on March 17, 2019.

34 matches will be played in the fourth edition and for the first time in the short history of this highly successful and much-awaited tournament, Lahore and Karachi will share eight matches between them at the backend of the 32-day event.

Karachi’s National Stadium will host the first of their five matches on March 7, 2019 when Karachi Kings will take on Peshawar Zalmi under floodlights. The other four matches will be: Karachi Kings versus Quetta Gladiators on March 10, 2019, Qualifier 1 versus Qualifier 2 on March 13, 2019, Eliminator 2 on March 15, 2019 and the final on March 17, 2019.

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be the venue of three matches, namely: Lahore Qalandars versus Islamabad United on March 9, 2019, Lahore Qalandars versus the Sixth team on March 10, 2019 and Eliminator 1 (3 v 4) on March  12, 2019. All the three matches will be played under floodlights.

In addition to the Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium, 14 matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium while four matches will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Also eight matches will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

According to the event format, each side will play the other twice with the top-four — after 30 event matches — advancing to the play-offs.

In the March 13, 2019 Qualifier, the table-toppers will play the second-placed side with the winner progressing to the final. The losing side will get a second chance to qualify for the final when, in the March 15, 2019 Eliminator 2, they will play the winner of March 12, 2019 Eliminator 1, which will be between the third and fourth-placed sides.

“The PCB is delighted to announce the schedule of the Pakistan Super League 2019, which marks two months to go to one of the PCB’s marquee events which continue to grow in reputation and stature,” the board said in a press release.  “The PCB is committed to working harder to make the PSL an even bigger and better tournament, with the focus being to provide top notch playing facilities to the players, increase the fan base and provide the followers complete entertainment, and ensure all interests of our key stakeholders are adequately and professionally taken care of.”

The statement added: “The PCB believes that the PSL is a gateway to resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. By successfully staging eight matches in Lahore and Karachi with the support of the local authorities, the PCB is optimistic that it will once again prove to the world that Pakistan is as safe and secure a place as any other part of the world to play international cricket.”