PSL Exhibition Match Live: The Complete Guide
What a PSL exhibition match is, how to watch one live, the famous 2023 Quetta thriller — Iftikhar’s six sixes, Afridi’s cameo, and a 3-run finish — plus full scores and records.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Quick answer: A PSL exhibition match is a one-off pre-season T20 staged by the PCB — the famous one was Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi on 5 February 2023 at Bugti Stadium, Quetta, which Quetta won by 3 runs (184 vs 181/7). Iftikhar Ahmed hit six sixes in an over off Wahab Riaz (94* off 50), and Shahid Afridi, 42, smashed 25 off 17 for Zalmi. There is no exhibition match scheduled today (11 Oct 2026) — these games are announced as one-offs before a PSL season. When one is played, it streams on the PCB’s platforms and airs on the PSL’s TV partners.
The concept
What a PSL Exhibition Match Is
Not a league game, not a friendly — something in between, and deliberately spectacular.
A pre-season showcase
Exhibition matches are staged by the PCB before a PSL season as curtain-raisers — star-studded, lightly competitive, and designed to take top-level cricket to cities that don’t host league games.
Quetta’s moment
The 2023 game was collaboration between the PCB and the Balochistan government, and it marked competitive cricket’s return to Quetta’s Bugti Stadium after 26 years. Tickets were priced at just PKR 20 — and 20,000 fans still packed the ground.
Serious cricket, carnival mood
Don’t mistake “exhibition” for “not trying.” Babar Azam captained Zalmi, Sarfaraz Ahmed led Quetta, and the game produced six sixes in an over and a 3-run finish — as intense as any league match.
Watch live
How to Watch a PSL Exhibition Match Live
No game today — but here’s how it works when one is announced.
Broadcast partners
Exhibition matches air on the PSL’s broadcast partners — in Pakistan, that’s historically PTV Sports and the Ten Sports/A Sports network. The PCB confirms the broadcaster when announcing the fixture, usually a week or two before the game.
Online options
The PCB streams its events on its official digital platforms, and PSL games stream on the league’s streaming partners (Tapmad in Pakistan). For a one-off exhibition, the PCB’s own platforms are the most reliable bet — check pcb.com.pk on match day.
For the full streaming playbook, see our how-to-watch guide.
5 February 2023
The 2023 Quetta Thriller, Ball by Ball
Bugti Stadium, Quetta. Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi. This is what happened.
Iftikhar’s onslaught
Put in to bat, Quetta reached 184 — and the innings belonged to one over. Iftikhar Ahmed, 94 not out off 50 balls, smashed veteran Wahab Riaz for six sixes in the final over — joining Yuvraj Singh and Herschelle Gibbs in T20’s most exclusive club. Wahab had started brilliantly, removing Ahsan Ali and Umar Akmal in his second over, but finished on the wrong end of history.
Afridi steals the show
Chasing 185, Zalmi flew: Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris (53 off 35) put on a blistering start. Then the moment Quetta waited 26 years for — Shahid Afridi, 42 years old, walked in at No. 3 to a deafening “Boom Boom” reception and smashed 25 off 17, starting with a boundary first ball. At 109/1 after 10 overs, Zalmi were cruising.
Won by 3 runs
Quetta’s bowlers dragged it back at the death, picking up wickets in clusters as the required rate climbed. Zalmi finished on 181/7 — three runs short. Bugti Stadium, silent when Babar and Haris were batting, erupted at the final wicket. Cricket’s return to Quetta couldn’t have asked for a better script.
The numbers
Full Scorecard: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi
Exhibition match, Bugti Stadium Quetta, 5 February 2023.
| Team | Score | Top performers |
|---|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 184 (20 ov) | Iftikhar Ahmed 94* (50) — incl. 6 sixes in an over; Khushdil Shah 36 (24) |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 181/7 (20 ov) | Mohammad Haris 53 (35); Shahid Afridi 25 (17); Babar Azam (c) — quick start |
Result: Quetta Gladiators won by 3 runs. Captains: Sarfaraz Ahmed (Quetta), Babar Azam (Zalmi). For the ball-by-ball story, see our live-score style recap.
History made
Records from the Game
One exhibition, several entries in the record books.
Six sixes in an over
Iftikhar Ahmed’s final-over assault on Wahab Riaz — only the fourth instance in recognised T20 cricket at the time, in the company of Yuvraj Singh (2007) and Herschelle Gibbs (ODI, 2007).
Afridi at 42
Shahid Afridi’s 25 off 17 — including a first-ball boundary — was a reminder of the “Boom Boom” era, 26 years after his famous 37-ball century announced him to the world.
Years of waiting
The first competitive cricket at Bugti Stadium in 26 years — a drought that made the occasion bigger than the result for Quetta’s fans.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions fans ask most about PSL exhibition matches.
Is there a PSL exhibition match today?
No — as of 11 October 2026, no PSL exhibition match is scheduled. These are one-off pre-season events announced by the PCB, most recently played on 5 February 2023 in Quetta.
Who won the PSL exhibition match in Quetta?
Quetta Gladiators beat Peshawar Zalmi by 3 runs on 5 February 2023 at Bugti Stadium — 184 vs 181/7.
Who hit six sixes in the PSL exhibition match?
Iftikhar Ahmed — six sixes in the final over off Wahab Riaz, finishing 94 not out off 50 balls for Quetta Gladiators.
Did Shahid Afridi play the exhibition match?
Yes — aged 42, Afridi made a special appearance for Peshawar Zalmi, scoring 25 off 17 balls at No. 3 to a huge reception.
Where can I watch the PSL exhibition match live?
When one is staged, it airs on the PSL’s TV broadcast partners (PTV Sports / A Sports in Pakistan) and streams on the PCB’s digital platforms and Tapmad.
Will there be another PSL exhibition match in Quetta?
The PCB has not announced one as of October 2026. Exhibition matches are arranged ad hoc — this page will be updated if another is scheduled.
Go deeper
Detailed Guides
Watching, scores and results in full.
PSL Exhibition Match Live: How to Watch & What to Expect
TV, streaming and tickets for the next one-off showcase.
PSL Exhibition Match Live Score: The 2023 Quetta Thriller
Ball-by-ball recap of the 3-run finish at Bugti Stadium.
PSL Exhibition Match Score: Full Results & Records
Scorecards, records and every exhibition result so far.
Follow Every PSL Ball
Season previews, live guides and results — our Pakistan Sports section covers the Pakistan Super League all year.
Exhibition-match details reflect the 5 February 2023 game as reported by Pakistan’s sports media. Future exhibition fixtures will be added here when the PCB announces them.