The Pakistan Super League gets under way in Dubai on Thursday, with three South Africans set to take part.

Cameron Delport, the only South African to feature in last year’s inaugural edition, returns to play for the Lahore Qalanders after enjoying a successful spell in the UAE last year, hitting three fifties on his way to 227 runs from seven innings.

Rilee Rossouw meanwhile is making full use of his torn up CSA contract, linking up with last year’s runners-up Quetta Gladiators as he aims to make a name for himself on the global T20 circuit. Fellow Kolpak player Ryan McLaren will hope to put his all-round abilities to good use with the Karachi Kings.

The first edition proved to be a success as a handful of international stars featured across the five franchises, with Islamabad United emerging as champions. Kevin Pietersen returns to play for the Quetta Gladiators, while Brendon McCullum makes his PSL bow for Delport’s Qalanders.

The Karachi Kings look to be the biggest threat on paper, with Sri Lankan export Kumar Sangakkara leading a side boasting Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and last year’s Player of the Series Ravi Bopara, among plenty of other stars.

The tournament gets under way with a clash between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday, with the final set to be played on 5 March.

The 2017 final will be played at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore according to PCB chief Najam Sethi.

‘The PSL 2017 schedule for the second edition of the tournament was our and the fans hope that the final gets played in Pakistan this time as promised. Now that it is confirmed, the tournament has made an excellent start and there will be a lot of fans waiting with bated breath for the second season,’ said Sethi.

StarSat are providing coverage for the event in South Africa.

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