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LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has rolled out a significant change to its playing conditions for the ongoing season 11, allowing captains to submit two separate playing XIs before the toss in a move aimed at minimising the impact of the coin flip.
The regulation, which came into effect from the tournament opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, enables teams to adapt more strategically depending on whether they bat or bowl first.
Both captains, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Marnus Labuschagne, submitted two different line-ups to the match referee before finalising their XI after the toss.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed the amendment through an official statement, clarifying that the provision falls under Clause 1.2.1 of the PSL playing conditions.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today confirmed an update in the Playing Conditions of the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, which has been in place since the opening match of the tournament between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Thursday,” the press release stated.
Under the updated rule, each captain can hand in two team sheets prior to the toss, with both containing 11 players and up to four substitute fielders.
Once the toss is completed, the captain must select one of the two line-ups and formally sign off on it. No further changes to the playing XI are permitted after that point without the opposition captain’s consent, except in the case of a concussion substitute.
The move is being seen as a progressive step, particularly in addressing the long-standing influence of dew in night matches. In such conditions, teams bowling second often struggle due to reduced grip for spinners and difficulty in controlling the ball, giving a notable edge to the side batting second.
By allowing captains to prepare two combinations, one tailored for batting first and another for chasing, the rule provides greater tactical flexibility.
Teams can now decide whether to strengthen their bowling attack or add batting depth based on real-time match conditions rather than being locked into a pre-toss decision.
READ: Peshawar Zalmi appoint Azhar Ali as fielding coach for PSL 11
