Lahore, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the roster of match officials and the commentary panel for the ninth season of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL 9) 2024. The prestigious cricket event is set to commence with an opening match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United at Gaddafi Stadium on February 17, following the opening ceremony.

According to Pakistan Super League, the PSL 9 will feature 16 umpires, including four members of the ICC’s elite panel, and three match referees overseeing the games from February 17 to March 18 across four venues. The umpiring panel includes notable international figures like Chris Gaffaney, who will make his HBL PSL debut, and Richard Illingworth, along with Pakistan’s very own Ahsan Raza. For the opening match, the on-field responsibilities will be handled by Aleem Dar and Michael Gough, with Tariq Rasheed serving as the TV umpire and Shozab Raza as the reserve umpire. Muhammad Javed will perform as the match referee.

The commentary panel for the tournament boasts an 18-member team, including the debut of former Australian captain Michael Clarke and the return of Ramiz Raja. The panel will deliver commentary in both English and Urdu throughout the event, catering to a wide audience. Notable international commentators such as Ian Bishop, Danny Morrison, and Simon Doull will join the panel alongside local experts like Waqar Younis and Sana Mir. Presenting the matches will be Erin Holland and Zainab Abbas.

The PCB is also committed to maintaining high broadcasting standards, employing 30 HD cameras, an upgraded spidercam with audio capabilities for on-field interviews, and drone cameras for various aerial views of the stadium. Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) will be available throughout the tournament, and viewers can expect to see revamped on-screen graphics and enhanced reality features.